Comeback (The Holland Brothers Book 3)

“Cocoa Pebbles or Fruit Loops?” Olivia holds the cereal boxes in either hand.

“Ooooh tough decision.” I mull it over carefully. “Fruit Loops. I never did love chocolate cereal.”

Greer giggles beside me. I glance over at the adorable five-year-old sitting on a stool next to me. She’s dressed for school in a pink, frilly dress with leggings underneath and her blonde hair is pulled up in pigtails. An ever-present tiara sits on top of her head.

“Wait. Were you not talking to me?” I ask Olivia.

Laughing, she sets two bowls out on the kitchen counter and proceeds to pour me a bowl of Fruit Loops, then the other for her daughter who requests the same.

“Living here really is the dream,” I say as I dig into my breakfast.

“You should just move in with us forever,” Greer says in the most genuine, sweet tone. I could just kiss her.

“Tempting, but I don’t think there’s room for my tiara collection and yours.”

“You don’t have any tiaras,” she says so matter-of-factly I can’t even argue.

“Exactly. No room. Isn’t it sad?”

She giggles again.

As soon as she finishes her cereal, Olivia instructs her to put her shoes on and grab her backpack.

I take my bowl around to the sink. “Thank you for letting me crash here. I promise I will not move in with you forever.”

Olivia huffs a laugh. “I’m on Greer’s side. If it weren’t for the stupid rental rules, I’d have already bought a bunkbed for my room.”

“Oh my god, can you imagine us?” I smile, picturing late nights talking and laughing.

“Speaking of, do I need to wait until she leaves to show my face?” I motion with my head toward the apartment next door where the landlord lives.

Technically, only two people are allowed to reside in Olivia’s apartment, hence the lying low.

“No. I’m allowed guests. It’s only been what? A week? Two?”

“Twenty-two lovely nights on the couch awoken by a beautiful angel every morning,” I say longingly. The couch part maybe isn’t ideal (or the early morning thing) but I’m so grateful I’ve been able to stay here while I look for something more permanent. Plus, it’s less lonely. Olivia and I have only been friends a short time, but she feels like a long-lost soulmate and Greer really is the cutest, sweetest thing ever.

Olivia snorts. “That is the downfall of kids. They’re cute, but damn do they get up early.”

“Don’t they know how wonderful sleeping is?”

She shakes her head, making her ash blonde ponytail sway with the motion. “No. They act like it’s punishment or something. Greer climbed into bed with me this morning at five.”

I don’t know how Olivia does it. She works two jobs, managing her family’s bookstore during the day and working at Lilac Lounge a few nights a week, and still somehow manages to take care of Greer without ever complaining about her lack of sleep.

“If only.”

“What are you up to today?”

“I thought I’d look for apartments and studio space. Maybe hit up Brogan and see if he wants to grab lunch or something. Assuming he isn’t with Archer,” I grumble the last part.

Her smile hitches up on one side. “How is your brother and his hot, jerk best friend?”

A laugh leaves my lips despite the swirling of anxiety in my stomach. It’s been two days since the party, and I still get hot all over when I think back to some of the things Archer said to me. Hot jerk is exactly the right way to describe him.

“I’m not sure. I haven’t heard from them.” I will admit I did expect Brogan to reach out sooner. Before I left, we were texting daily. Random things mostly, a funny video or just checking in.

Olivia must sense my disappointment because her smile softens.

“I’m sure he’s dying to hear from you. He probably has a bunch of football things this week.” She waves her hand around like she isn’t sure what those things are, but she’s sure they exist.

“You’re probably right.” I know he’s busy and I don’t expect him to adjust his entire schedule just because I’m back in town, but I missed him. So much I’m willing to put myself in the line of fire. Because where Brogan is, Archer is surely nearby.