preoccupied

Damien leaned back on the sofa in his living room, tapping his fingers on the arm. Was it possible to be obsessed with a woman after meeting her just once? Damien was seriously beginning to think there was something wrong with him. He just couldn’t stop thinking about a tiny pixie with big brown eyes and a riot of curls.

“Damien? Damien? Damien!”

Damien sat up in his chair, startled to find Holly standing in front of him, hands on her hips.

“I’m sorry, love. Did you say something?”

Her forehead creased into a frown as she stared down at him. “I’ve been calling your name for the last few minutes. What is wrong with you? You’ve been like this for the last two weeks. One minute you’re normal, the next you’re in another world.”

He smiled at her. “Nothing is wrong. I’m just preoccupied. Now what did you ask me?”

Holly continued to frown, but answered him anyway. “Brax will be here in about forty minutes so I thought I would order some takeout, anything in particular that you feel like?”

“Whatever you want is fine with me.”

“You sure you’re okay with Brax and me staying tonight?” she asked with uncustomary shyness.

Shit. He must really have been acting like an idiot if she had to ask him that. Holly had lived with him for years, and he’d worked hard to convince her that she was in no way a burden to him. Yes, he’d helped her through some serious rehabilitation and a sticky divorce with his asshole brother.

And, yeah, he’d given her a place to live and a job. But he considered himself to be the lucky one.

“Come here.” He crooked a finger at her, pulling her down on the sofa beside him. Swinging his arm around her shoulders, he tucked her in close.

“Holly, you know that this is your house just as much as it is mine. You are welcome here anytime and you never, ever have to ask. Got me?” He kept his voice low, bordering on the edge of stern. He wanted her to realize how serious he was.

Holly shifted so she could look up at him. “I know. It’s just, well, things are different now that I’m married to Brax. I figured maybe I shouldn’t just come and go as I please.”

“Holly, you are and always will be my sister. Wherever I live is your home as well. No matter what is going on in either of our lives that will never change, understand?”

A smile crossed her lips and she hugged him tight. “Thanks, Damien.”

“No thanks needed.” He ran his hand down her cheek. “You’re looking a bit pale, is everything all right with you? The drive isn’t getting to be too much?”

She leaned back, rolling her eyes. “You’re starting to sound like Brax. You know a lot of people have longer commutes than I do.”

“Yes, but they aren’t my sister,” he said, watching her worriedly. She was definitely pale and tired.

“What is this appointment you have tomorrow?”

She and Brax were staying the night because of an appointment they had in the morning. Damien hadn’t really questioned her about it, but from the way she couldn’t meet his gaze, he now wondered if that had been a mistake. A surge of alarm filled him.

“Oh, it’s nothing,” she said.

“Holly,” he said warningly, turning her to face him. “Spill.”

She sighed. “Brax and I promised each other that we weren’t going to tell anyone until we knew for sure, but, well, we think we might be pregnant!”

Damien sat back in shock. He hadn’t expected that. Then he stood, swooping Holly up in a big hug and swinging her around.

“Oh, love, that’s fantastic.” He set her on her feet. “I’m going to be an uncle.”

“Well, we’ve only done a home pregnancy test, and although they’re meant to be pretty accurate, I want to check with the doctor.”

“You’ve got an appointment with an obstetrician tomorrow? Have you checked them out? Do they have a good reputation?”

“Whoa.” Holly held out her hands, laughing. “I’ve done my research. Dr. Francis has an excellent reputation; she’s very popular so we had to take the first available appointment.”

“Good. Here, sit down. Bloody hell, I shouldn’t be swinging you around like that. Are you feeling all right?”

“I’m fine. Just a bit tired. I haven’t been sick yet, although I’m sure that’s coming.”

Damien frowned. “How far along are you?”

“About 6 weeks.”

“You shouldn’t be traveling so much if you’re pregnant, you need to get more rest.”

She blew out a frustrated breath. “Damien, please, I’m fine. I don’t need both you and Brax on my case.”

He knew when to back down. Although he would be talking to Brax about this the first chance he got. Holly needed to take things easier. It was probably time he started looking for another assistant. Maybe someone to help out part time so Holly could just work from home.

He’d miss her terribly, but her health and safety came first.

“Okay then, love. What say we order some takeout. What’s healthy for a pregnant woman to eat?”

In the end they settled for pizza. Brax arrived a few minutes after the pizza was delivered. After finishing their meal, they all sat in the living room. Damien leaned back in the sofa with a yawn.

“You look tired, man. Somethin’ going on?” Brax asked.

Holly was snuggled against Brax on the sofa. “He’s been preoccupied for the last two weeks.” She tapped her chin, thinking. “You’re not having nightmares after having seen that accident, are you?”

Damien held back his smile. It was nice to have someone be concerned about him. “No love. No nightmares.”

“Then what is it? I’m worried about you.”

Brax gave him a long stare, one that very clearly told Damien he better clear this up right now and put Holly’s mind at ease. Damien nodded. In that, they were both in agreement.

Damien sighed. “I’ve been thinking about the girl I met at the accident.”

“Cece?” Holly asked, her eyes widening.

“No.” Like he’d want anything to do with that spoiled brat. Turned out she had been driving under the influence. She could very easily have hit Jessa or another car and killed someone. No, he hadn’t wasted any time thinking about her.

Another reason why Jessa had no business out walking in the middle of the night. That was something he’d never allow if she were his.

“I’ve been thinking about Jessa, the other woman I met that night.”

“Oh,” Holly said, glancing up at Brax.

“I can’t stop thinking about her. I wish I knew she was all right.”

“Have you got any reason to suspect that she isn’t okay?” Brax asked with a frown.

“I don’t know, just a feeling.”

“Maybe you should try and find her. Do you know her last name?” Holly asked.

He shook his head. “And the only address I have for her is a large apartment building.”

“Well, it’s a start, isn’t it?” Brax said. “And if you are thinking about her this much then you probably need to try and find her. For your peace of mind as much as anything else.”