Free Six Month Rule (Kingston Ale House) by A.J. Pine Page B

severe physical reaction was something she could control with an over-the-counter medication or sheer avoidance, she would. But there was no antidote for what was brewing between them—other than Holly’s foolproof way to run a relationship into the ground: let it continue past six months.
    But Will Evans wouldn’t be in Chicago past the six-month marker. And he certainly didn’t want anything long-term with her. Not that she wasn’t great with kids—she had worked at a kids’ theater camp throughout her high school and college summers. But Holly had never seriously considered having children, not while she was still so focused on her career. And trying at a real relationship for the first time since high school with a guy who lived on another continent? Thanks, but no thanks.
    She and Will were so, so, so wrong for each other, which was why her idea might work. Because it was so right.
    Holly squirmed in her seat. She obviously needed to get Will Evans out of her system. And the way things usually panned out for her, it might take a little longer than one or two times. What she knew for sure was that regardless of how long it took, whether it was two weeks or two months or the whole rest of his stay, if they agreed up front to what they were getting into, they could walk away unscathed.
    She dipped her spoon into the pint only to hit the cardboard bottom, her ice cream reservoir depleted. So she licked the spoon clean and then tapped it against her chin as the wheels began to turn.
    The smart thing to do would be to just give it another go with Charlie. They still saw each other on a daily basis, and while he clearly was not in love with her—nor she with him—it would be easy for them to fall into some sort of pattern, especially since Charlie hadn’t been shy about letting her know he’d be up for another six months if she was. Charlie was comfortable. The sex was good. And he didn’t expect anything more from her than what she was willing to give.
    Pushing things any further with Will could complicate their work. After all, making partner was Holly’s end game, so this show had to go off without a hitch. But she couldn’t stop thinking about that kiss, how it awakened a need in her she’d thought was long dormant. How could she see him day in and day out without being distracted? Maybe she didn’t want comfortable. Maybe she didn’t want good sex. Maybe she wanted electricity. Didn’t Will want it, too? Or else why kiss her at all?
    Holly tapped open her horoscope app on her phone and backed up to the last one she’d read. Take advantage of new opportunities even if they present themselves as what you see as obstacles. Appreciate what you’re given, and allow time for joy. A six-month fling with Will Evans would absolutely be an opportunity as well as a possible obstacle. But not seeing this through was an obstacle as well, because the tension between them might never dissipate. Totally valid argument.
    Holly did love her job. It was everything to her. But that second sentence niggled at her brain. Appreciate what you’re given, and allow time for joy. It had been a while since joy had come from anything other than work. And physical joy? Well, she could practically kiss that good-bye unless she solved the Rubik’s Cube puzzle of the showerhead setting.
    She tapped the arrow to move the horoscope forward to tomorrow. Well, today, since it was past midnight now.
    Gemini: Congratulations. All your worries of yesterday will work themselves out today as long as you don’t sit idly by. Wrongs will be righted, and Gemini will find happiness in taking action, in moving beyond stumbling blocks to get what she wants.
    See? Even her horoscope app thought she should take action. If this wasn’t giving destiny a nudge, she didn’t know what was. For a minute Holly considered calling Brynn and talking this through with her, but as much as Brynn teased about her apparent attraction to Will—stupid stargazing