I studied him to see if he really meant it, my insides going warm and mushy at his kindness toward my dad. I couldn’t see any signs of insincerity. And didn’t that just make him a better person than me? Because I was still struggling.

Holden had always been the most unselfish, caring, protective person I knew.

“We don’t have to decide today,” I said, but I was still pretty set on the restaurant for the location. I’d have to think long and hard about whether I could embrace a party at the trailer home—the very trailer I’d never let anyone into until a few days ago. I didn’t love the idea of allowing all of Holden’s friends and family into the humble place where I’d grown up.

“All right,” he agreed, “we can talk about it later. Think through our options, but I do wish you’d stop hiding.”

“Who me?” I said, putting on an innocent act when I knew full well what he was talking about.

“You had a lot to get through this past week with your new job, but I’m betting you used that as an excuse to hide away in your office.”

“I feel seen and not in a good way,” I said lightly. “Yes, I was hiding in my office. Half of it was legit. I had a crash course in running Marks International. Half of it was me hiding. It’s just, I know how the town can talk…”

“Oh, they’re talking,” Holden said. “About us, of course. We’re big news, but the way to make that go away is to be seen around town together and be open about getting married. That’s the whole point of our getting hitched, right? Angelica will realize it’s real, and that’s what we need to do to get you what you want.”

My stomach knotted, and my appetite vanished. “You’re right. I know you’re right.”

“I’m usually right,” he said cockily.

I rolled my eyes, but once again he’d made me smile. Holden was good at making me smile.

“In case I didn’t mention it, when you came out the door at the courthouse to find me? You looked stunning. Took my breath away, EVP, soon to be just P for president.”

A thrill shot through me and, strangely, not from the president part but from the compliment.

“If you knew what was going through my mind at that moment…”

“How good I looked?” he said cheekily, and I laughed.

“Before that.” I debated whether I should level with him. “I was scared to death you’d change your mind, that I’d go looking for you and wouldn’t be able to find you,” I finally said.

“What? Chloe, I wouldn’t let you down.”