Page 68 of The Virgin Game Plan (Rules of Love 2)
“My belief is as long as two adults consent and treat each other with respect, who am I to ever put a line on love?”
“We’re kind of a love triumphs all sort of place,” Adriana chimes in.
Gah. Now I’m in love with my job even more. “That’s one of the things I like about working here,” I say, though the organ in my chest still aches. It still misses him.
“And look,” Jillian adds. “The reality is, when you work in this industry, you often meet people you might want to date in sports. And sometimes they’re athletes.”
Did she ever hit the nail on the head. “That’s what happened to me,” I confess. Relief flows through me. That day with Holden was incredible, and I don’t need to shout it to the office, but it’s good to at least admit—without details—that I fell for someone. “And I just wanted to say I really appreciate that I feel comfortable enough to ask you these questions.”
She waves a hand as if to say it’s no big deal. But it is a big deal. I wasn’t looking for her permission, but I’m damn glad I have it.
Especially since Holden texts me that night.
I read it several times, debating whether to write back, asking myself if this contact tests my limits.
I wish I knew his limits and if they’ve changed.
And I decide that talking to him doesn’t test them or break them. I know my limits, but I also know when they’ve changed.
Mine stretch further now. They’re more accommodating. I have room for a little something more.
I write back with a clear mind and a hopeful heart.
As for his limits, there’s no way to know if they’ve changed unless I talk to the man.
Maybe, just maybe, he’s seeing how far he can push.
Holden: Did you ever have the chocolate, and if so, how was it?
* * *
In my apartment, I take the bag out of my purse and pop a disc in my mouth.
* * *
Reese: Indulging now. It’s as delish as I expected. And what do you know? It makes me think of you.
* * *
Holden: Mission accomplished. Also, I bet your lips taste incredible.
* * *
I lick them, then write back.
* * *
Reese: Well, they taste like chocolate, so I’m confident that I taste yummy. I believe it’s called the Chocolate Clause, since chocolate is always good.
* * *
Holden: Just like the French Fry Exemption.
* * *
Reese: French fries and chocolate—clauses, loopholes, and exemptions abound for them.
* * *
Holden: Like a hall pass.
* * *
Reese: Grant and I used to make a list of hall passes back in college. Fair warning – Chris Hemsworth was top of our list.
* * *
Holden: Funny. His sister mentioned that someone looking like Thor was asking for him. But he was decidedly uninterested.
* * *
Reese: Ah, well, some crushes you get over. This is where I confess as much as I love Chris, I’m over him. I suspect Grant is too.
* * *
Holden: Is that why you guys are so close? Crushing at the same time?
* * *
Reese: Nah. That’s just fun stuff. We were close long before boys came into the picture. We connected because, well, things were sometimes tense at my house and at his growing up. So, we went to our grandparents’ and hung out with each other.
* * *
My phone is quiet for a spell, and I wonder if I’ve said too much. If I was too frank. But talking around the topic of family is exhausting. I don’t want to dance around issues with Holden. I want to be real with him, even as I try to figure out what this is with us.
* * *
Holden: Reese?
* * *
Reese: Yes?
* * *
Holden: Sometimes I think you want to say something about your dad and then you don’t. Maybe you hold back because of my relationship with him. But I understand that your ties with him are different than mine. I’m not asking you to tell me things you don’t want to share. But I’m saying you don’t have to treat the issue with kid gloves around me.
* * *
My heart thumps harder at the way he gets it. At how he somehow knew I needed to hear that.
* * *
Reese: Thanks. I’m not sure I’ll say anything, but I appreciate you telling me I don’t have to sugarcoat it.
* * *
Holden: No Sugarcoat Loophole, beautiful. I like you as you are. I want you as you are.
* * *
I close my eyes, clutching the phone, wishing he could have me as I am. That I could have him too.
Now isn’t the time to push him. Not over the phone. If he wants more, he’ll have to decide that on his own.
I sink deeper into my bed, sidestepping my feelings—the emotions that surge whenever Holden and I connect.
