Page 106 of At First Catch
Family breakfast soon.
My fingers tap anxiously along the back of my phone as I wait.
Nolan
Still nervous about Holt?
Me
A little.
Three dots appear.
Nolan
I don’t want this to make things hard for you.
At that moment, I understand something awful. He genuinely thinks I might choose my family’s comfort over him if things become complicated.
Before I can overthink it, I respond.
Me
You’re worth difficult.
I stare at the phone while my pulse pounds harder with every passing second.
Nolan
Jesus Christ, Hadley.
His reply doesn’t come, which feels louder than it would have.
The screen lights again.
Nolan
Nobody’s ever said something like that to me before.
My chest physically aches.
Before I can answer, a knock sounds against the cottage door.
“Hadley,” Holt yells through it. “Mom says if you don’t come eat breakfast soon, she’s holding your pancakes hostage in my stomach.”
I close my eyes briefly.
Nolan
You smiling right now?
The question startles a laugh out of me.
Because yes, I absolutely am.
Me
Maybe.
