Chapter 154

Bryce froze. He wasn't expecting the hug.

He thought she would be upset that he was cleaning her hand and would complain about it.

He was ready to apologize.

But somehow, Holly hugged him instead.

He let her hug him like that for a long while.

Bryce reached up, pulling her head down gently on his shoulder. Then, he caressed her cheek.

There was warmth in his hands.

Holly leaned against his shoulder, asking softly, "What's wrong?"

Bryce's gaze dimmed. Softly, he said, "I'm not sure."

Holly was silent. Then, she asked, "Were you like this with Samantha?"

Bryce's eyes darkened. "Never."

After a pause, he said, "I'll try to reign it in."

Holly considered it carefully. "But if you suppress your emotions, it might backfire on you. That would be even worse."

"I'll just try," Bryce said lightly.

"It won't work. What if I just paid more attention next time?" Then, she added playfully, "It's a good thing that I'm in the antiques industry. I mostly talk to old men."

Hayden and Abel