Holly's Wishes Read Free Page A

Holly pecks on the cheek, before sauntering off.
    “Yep, I’m just fine,” she said again. Holly stood there with Max as they watched Ava kiss the artists the same way Cynthia had kissed them moments before.
    “She’s become quite the business woman.” A tender expression crossed Max’s face as he watched his wife.
    “It’s nice to see her so excited about her career,” Holly agreed.
     “It’s been a rough road. First she had the difficult pregnancy and then separation anxiety leaving Jenna to go back to work. It was easier when I was helping out with childcare, but I’ve been flying a lot more for work these days, so I’m not around as much. She loves her job, but it kills her to leave Jenna with the nanny. She puts up a good front though, doesn’t she?” Max seemed worried as he watched Ava mingle with their guests. “I should probably go join her.”
    Studying her brother-in-law, Holly pondered the information he’d shared. She had no idea Ava was struggling to balance work and parenting. She’d never mentioned it to her before. But then she supposed if Ava wanted her to know, she’d have said something. Sighing, she glanced over to the other table again. He was still there.
    “Wait. Before you go, do you know that guy sitting over there? He looks familiar to me.”
    “That’s my cousin, Ben,” he told her.
    “Ben … Oakes?” she asked. His cousin?
    “Yeah,” Max said. “You know him?”
    Holly nodded, still watching him from across the room. “We went to high school together.”
     

 
     
     
    Chapter 4
     
    “Excuse me,” Holly said hesitantly, standing to the side of where he sat deep in conversation with the person sitting next to him. She hated to be rude, but she knew if she didn’t speak up right then, she’d completely lose her nerve and walk away. “Ben?”
    He glanced over his shoulder, and she saw his lips turn up in a smile. “Ah, so it is you! Holly Haines. I thought it was … I mean, of course, it had to be. Ava’s your sister. You just look so different. Sit, please.” Standing, he pulled out the empty chair beside his own.
    “Ben,” said the man he’d been talking with, “it was great to see you. Glad we could catch up.” They shook hands before he walked off.
    “I’m so sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
    “No, not at all.” He sat back down next to her. “That was an uncle I hadn’t seen in years. To be honest, I barely even remembered his name, and he was boring me to tears going on and on about a trip to Pittsburgh he took to sell dental products. Or maybe it was Cleveland. He lost my attention about ten minutes ago.” He chuckled. “So, Holly Haines. Wow. Max is my cousin. I didn’t crash the party here, in case you were wondering.”
    “No,” she laughed. “I figured you were invited. Does that make us related now?”
    Peering up at the ceiling as if deep in thought, he smiled. “Hmm … I don’t think so,” he said.  “So how have you been? I don’t think I’ve seen you since high school. I barely recognized you. You’ve grown up quite a bit. I mean … that didn’t come out right. You look … great.” He shook his head and turned red.
    Holly put her hands up to her face to try to hide her own blushing cheeks. “Thanks, I think, and you look about the same … different haircut. And you used to wear glasses, right?”
    “Yup. I finally made the switch to contacts and got rid of those awful metal frames. The hair probably looks different because I traded in that feathered back rock star wanna-be do for something a little more current.”
    Holly laughed. She had to admit he looked good. Really good. Although she always thought he was one of the cutest guys in her school.
    He picked up his drink, and she couldn’t help but notice he wasn’t wearing a ring. No date and no ring. Interesting. Stop it, Holly. You’re here with your boyfriend. Your live-in boyfriend, remember?
    She watched as Jared staggered