Not Ricky boy.

“Oh, really? Is this supposed to be a relationship or something? Does pretty boy here know how we used to go at it? How we fucked more than we talked? How it was so easy to get you to spread your legs—”

“Are you mental?” The rage in her voice makes me flinch even though it’s directed at the asshole a few feet over.

Receiving the full brunt of her burning eyes, the guy is left standing with his words cut off, mouth agape. But she’s not done.

“What’s the point of this? I didn’t lie to you. I didn’t lead you on. And, now, you’re trying to make me feel like a whore because I don’t want to have sex with you anymore. Where’s the logic in that?” Breathing in deep through her nose, there’s an almost visible cloak of calm that she pulls over herself and her features.

Instead of hitting him with heat, all that’s left is ice.

“You did a good job of convincing me you were a decent guy. Clearly, I was wrong. So, like I told you weeks ago, we’re done. Do not contact me again.”

I’m left to follow in her wake as Holly turns abruptly and strides to the car. Neither of us looks back.

It’s not until we’re on the road that Holly’s icy exterior cracks. Someone cuts in front of us without using their blinker, causing her to slam on the brakes. Aggressively, she punches the horn.

“For the love of Pete! Look where you’re going, you son of a biscuit-eater!” she shouts the words like they’re the ripest curses in the book.

Knowing she’s upset, I bite my lower lip to keep from laughing.

Her eyes stray to the side, and I turn my head too slow to hide my amused expression.

“What?” she snaps the word at me.

Again, I try to school my face. “Nothing. I completely agree with you. That guy is a”—I snort—“son of a biscuit-eater.” Another snort.

Holly punches me in the arm, but it’s not a hard hit, and she’s clearly fighting a smile. “You’re right; he is.”

Carefully, so as not to startle her, I reach over and give her knee a reassuring squeeze. “Do you want to talk about it?”

The car stays silent for a few more blocks, but eventually, she sighs. “I ended things with him pretty soon after I met you.”

Most of the tension leaks away from my shoulders. “Why?”

“He started hinting at having a relationship. And I didn’t want that.”

My heart and hopes take a nosedive at her words, barreling toward the ground. I brace myself for a fiery impact.

“But the bigger reason was that I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Being with you. Roderick kinda paled in comparison.”

I level out, holding off on utter disappointment. “Do you still not want a relationship?”

We’ve reached her apartment, and Holly concentrates on parallel parking, leaving me to sit in suspense. When the car is settled, she shuts off the ignition and turns to meet my eyes.