Page 117 of The Quit List

I feel amazing. I get to wake up with Holly on the day my business officially opens, and in a few days, when the booking is over, I plan to come straight back to her and do this all over again.

For the first time in a very long time, something deep inside me feels accomplished. Feels unafraid of failure.

And I have Holly to thank for this change.

Life is good, though a little bittersweet as I have to say goodbye to her for another few days.

Half an hour later, Holly’s back in one of her sundresses with her trademark shiny pink lips and we’re pulling up outside The Pinnacle. I hold her takeout latte as I help her out of Edna, making sure to take lots of care with her injured foot.

When we turn around, Dylan is standing outside the hotel doors, watching us with an expression as dark as midnight. His chin is down, and he’s glowering at us under hooded eyes, looking not unlike a cartoon vampire.

I shoot him a little wink, then turn my back on the clown and wrap my arms around Holly. Dylan can watch us all he wants, but I’m not going to let him and his beady gaze ruin my goodbye with my girl.

“I’ll text you when I get up there,” I promise Holly as I squeeze her shoulders. Breathe in her smell.

“I wish I could come with you,” she replies.

“Me too.” I press my lips to hers, and our kiss is sparky and hot and sweet and full of promise for what’s to come.

When she finally pulls back, her eyes are glowing. “I’ll miss you.”

I press my forehead to hers. “Same.”

“Well, well, well. This looks cozy.”

I swear, the man’s voice is somehow as beady and snakey as he looks. Here I was, hoping I wouldn’t have to talk to this jerk.

I turn around, annoyed. “Hi, Willan.”

“Dylan,” he corrects crisply. “Nice to see you two are together now. Very cute.”

He looks directly at Holly as he says this, and I’m surprised to see her wince. It’s a small flash of an expression that passes over her face in an instant, but it’s a wince nonetheless.

Together.

Is that what’s tripping her up?

We’re definitely together, in my mind, but we haven’t discussed labels yet. Nor have we discussed if she has any potential lingering feelings for this moron—but I reject that notion pretty swiftly.

Holly has lived out her quit list and moved on.

With me.

End of story.

I put an arm around her and pin Dylan with a glare. “Damn right, we’re together.”

Her eyes are bright. “Yeah, we are,” she echoes.

Dylan smirks. “I suppose I should be saying that I’m happy for you. But if I may ask, how does that work, practically speaking?” He tilts his head towards me. “Don’t you live in a hut or in your van by the river or something?”

“He’s a wilderness guide,” Holly practically hisses, like she’s a feisty little dragon. I dig it.

I love how far she’s come, how much confidence she’s gained in herself.

“How aspirational,” Dylan says dryly, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “I’m sure having a girlfriend three hours away in the city is good for both business and pleasure.”

“We’re just seeing where it goes. Not that it’s any of your business,” Holly says with an upward tilt of her chin.