I tried to be gentle and explain how I felt, but when she started crying, it was hard to get her to talk to me. She told me to leave, so I did. I didn’t like hurting her, but when it was done, I could finally breathe again.

“Well, she isn’t over you.”

Holly is hard to read at the moment. I want to tell her to pull the car over, so I can look her in the eyes as we talk. But I won’t make her late to work. This isn’t the right time for this conversation. But I need to figure out how to get out of this hole and have her smiling again.

“I said my piece. Now, it’s her job to figure out how to move on. If I’d known she was still so hung up on me, I never would have gone to the party.”

“So, you two didn’t fool around when you went upstairs together?”

“What?” My voice shoots up into shouting range. I try to get it together. “You thought I’d slept with her?”

The car slows to a stop. We’re already in front of the club, and she’s about to leave me. Instead of immediately exiting, Holly puts the car in park and turns to stare at me.

“No, I don’t. At the time, I thought that’s what you were doing but not now.”

The world still seems off-balance, and Holly doesn’t appear settled as she goes to unclip her seat belt. Someone behind us honks.

“Look, I know you have to go. But I feel like you’re mad at me, and I don’t want you to be.” I want her to ache for me the way I do for her.

She’s got a grip on the door handle but pauses. With a shake of her head, she answers, “I’m not mad at you, Ben. We’re good. I’m just …” She hesitates in a very non-Holly way while she brushes her hand down the front of her jacket, which she’s buttoned all the way to her neck.

“You’re just what?” That sick feeling is back in my stomach as I watch her fiddle with the top button of her coat.

“I’m just not excited to go to work after being told I’m dressed like a slut.”

Before I can fully register the meaning of her words, Holly is out of the car.

I practically kick open my door, and I try to catch up with her before she disappears past the hulking bouncer. To get Holly to stop without actually grabbing her, I just jump in front of her, blocking the way.

She stares up at me, befuddled. “What are you doing, Ben? I’m going to be late.”

“You’re beautiful!” It comes out louder than I planned, and the people waiting in line find my display amusing. Chuckles drift from behind my back, but I only have eyes for the woman in front of me. “You’re strong, confident, and sexy as all get-out. Anything you wear looks classy because you elevate it just by being the awesome person you are. She’s jealous. You’re fantastic.” I’m rambling, but it’s working because she’s smiling. “You’re going to run that bar like you always do.” I step forward. Even though I want to sweep her up in my arms and ravage her mouth, I hold back and place a chaste kiss on her forehead instead. “Text me when your shift is over and you get home safe.”