Chapter Fifty-Five:

“Oh, my God, mom, she’s inside. Calm down.” I could hear Hayden say from outside the front door. I giggled as I placed the rest of the food on the table. I might not have any cooking ability, whatsoever, but I am completely capable of placing take-out into nice bowls. I own that shit.

I smoothed my clothes and made sure they were food free. It’s nothing fancy, just light grey skinny jeans, a crimson, knit, tank top, and a white cardigan. I’m nervous, even though I know I shouldn’t be. Holland is the epitome of nice.

I glanced at my reflection in the hallway mirror. My face thankfully still bruise free. The spot on my head that they shaved for surgery is hidden with my high ponytail. I’m not bald, but that area of hair is significantly shorter, still.

The front door opened and Holland all but pushed Hayden through the threshold. Hayden laughed and moved out of her way. She smiled when she saw me. I squealed and bounced over to her. She wrapped her arms around me and embraced, hard.

“I’ve missed you!” She told me. I laughed.

“I was totally forgetting what you looked like!” I responded. She giggled. “I’m so glad you’re here!” I told her. She pulled away smiling.

“I had to make sure all my babies were alright.” She said. I nodded.

“You do realize that we’re not really babies anymore… right?”

“I think about you all and I still picture adorable ten year-olds. It’s hard to picture the young grown people you have turned into. You’re so beautiful.” She mused, as she played with my ponytail. I smiled.

“Pshht, have you seen yourself?” I asked her. She chuckled. “Are you still single?” I questioned.

“I haven’t even been here for ten minutes and you’re asking me about my love life?”

“Is that a yes?” I asked, hopefully. She sighed, but nodded regardless.

“Don’t tell me that you’re trying to set me up with someone. I won’t have that, Lydia.” She reprimanded. I didn’t say anything. “That’s final.” She told me.

“We’ll see.” I sang.

“I have to go unpack and I’d like to see Oliver. Then I’d like to meet this boyfriend of yours.” She said, walking with Hayden up the stairs. I rolled my eyes. It’s going to happen. I can feel it.

---

“Is there anything else we need, Sweetheart?” Doug asked me. I looked over the contents of our cart and shook my head. Zacky walked up with an armful of junk food before letting it drop.

“Actually, I need to pick up one more thing. I’ll be right back.” Zacky announced, before hurrying away.

“So, you’re still trying to set me up with Hayden’s mother, Love?” He asked me. I feigned surprise when he asked me.

“What would make you think that?” I asked him, sweetly. He chuckled.

“Sweetheart, I wasn’t born yesterday.” He told me. I shrugged.

“She’s pretty. Am I right?” I asked, bumping his hip with my own. He just smiled. “You know, she loves bubbly, pink Moscato. And look! There are two bottles of Sutton House sitting right over there. What are the odds?” I asked him, placing the bottles of champagne into the cart. I kept perusing the isles as we waited on Zack. It couldn’t hurt to pick up some of her favorite sweets, right? After all, Doug is nothing but a gracious host.

“Has it ever occurred to you, that I might not be her type?” He asked me. I sighed. That hadn’t actually occurred to me.

“How could you not be her type? You’re handsome. You have an accent and you’re a family man. Any sane person loves those traits.” I tried. He just smirked, watching me try to convince him that

“I love you for being so concerned.” He told me, hugging me, gently. I laughed.

“If she’s legitimately not interested, I won’t push it. But, it wouldn’t hurt for you to wear some awesome cologne and try to romance her.” I told him. He laughed and Zacky walked up to us grimacing.

“I really don’t need that visual. I don’t want to picture my dad making the moves on anyone.” He protested.

“Where do you think you get your game, Son? It had to come from somewhere.” Doug winked at Zacky.

“Come on, Zack. If that scarred you for life… your life can’t be that bad.” I teased. He smiled.

“It’s actually pretty good, right now.” He admitted.

“Because of Tiffany,” I fake coughed into my hand. Doug laughed at us.

“She seems like such a sweet girl. Have you asked her out yet?” Doug asked him. Zacky blushed and didn’t say anything.

“You know she likes you.” I told him, shaking my head in his direction.

“I don’t know that for sure…” He argued. I scoffed.

“I’m not sure what game you were talking about, Daddio, but I don’t see any.” I argued.

“He must’ve forgotten to put on his big boy pants this morning.” Doug joked. Zacky hit his dad’s arm.

“Hey!” Zack spoke up. I just laughed.

“You should put the moves on her before she thinks that you’re not into her.” I advised as we walked away.

---

Dinner was nice. Despite my pestering, Doug and Holly kept making adorable eye contact. They’re like crushing teenagers. I can totally see them together. She’s an awesome woman with her head in the right place. He really needs someone like that – they both do.

“I was right – wasn’t I?” I asked Holly as she walked by my bedroom. She looked at me before stopping into my room and shutting the door behind her.

“He’s definite eye-candy. I’ll give you that.” She agreed.

“And you love his accent.” I finished for her.

“He seems pretty great.” She said, quietly. “But, I just got her and I’m not looking to hook up and go. If it happens, it’ll happen. Stop meddling.” She warned me. I sighed.

“Fine. Just… keep your mind open?”

“I will.” She agreed. She leaned back and sprawled out on my bed. I laid back with her. “Hayds has told me some things, but I want to hear about what’s been going on with you. I feel like I’ve missed out on everything. How about I do your nails and you tell me everything?” She suggested. I nodded.

“I’m down for that.”

“Good, now spill.” She ordered as she sauntered off my bed and looked through my nail polish on my vanity. She’s like a mix between the mother I would have loved to have and the ideal older sister. When it’s just us, it’s easy to forget that she’s so much older than I am. I’ve missed her.

Notes

Thank you, lovely people, for all of your reviews! I'm exhausted, otherwise I would have responded to them. I wanted to make sure I got this chapter up before I fell asleep.

Holland's finally here!:D New chapter up tomorrow.

Crazy love for you all,
Katie