Holly Wright

I have made two important decisions for my life. First, I have decided to quit my job at Piquant Press. I had a grand adventure in New York and I enjoyed working at Piquant Press. I must have enjoyed it if I got promoted to junior editor. However, I enjoy Winter Haven more. I enjoy the friendly people, the festivities, the closeness. Everybody knows everybody else here. I love that. I enjoy that it always seems like Christmas in this town. I missed Winter Haven's Christmas last year and I never want to do that again. I know that my heart would fall apart if I tried to leave now. I can't do it

Speaking of the people, there is one that I would hate to leave more than anything else. That person is Holly Wright and she teaches elementary school here. I love how she looks and how she laughs. I love how she throws herself into everything she does. That was especially evident when I helped her get her book published. I love how alive she makes me feel. She really made me feel alive when we rang in the New Year in my own bed. I am surprised that we didn't set off any spoke alarms. When we kissed each other and touched each other's bodies, it made me feel so hot. We kissed so many times that I was afraid that I was going to spontaneously combust. It made us both feel so empowered that we gave each other orgasms at the end. I see Holly drinking punch at the other side of the room and I must say that Holly even looks sexy when she does that. I decide that the timing is right to start putting my new life into motion. I don't know what will happen with Holly, but I have to find out. I march towards Holly with a bold look on my face. She sees me approaching and gets an unreadable look on her face. When I meet her, I find out that it is sadness on her face.

"I am really going to miss you when you leave," Holly tells me with a sigh.

"No, you won't," I debate while shaking my head.

"Huh?" Holly squeaked with a confused look on her face.

"I'm not leaving," I explain.

"But your job..." Holly started to argue.

"I'm quitting," I spoke flat out so that there was no possible way Holly could understand me.

"You're not quitting just because of me, are you?" Holly asked me with stern eyes.

"Well, not just because of you," I mused. "Although I must say that you are the final nail in the coffin."

"Why then?" my love interest pressed.

"I enjoyed my job at Piquant Press, but this town has something that New York doesn't," I laid out my reasons for staying. "Coming back here reminded me of that. I don't want to give that up right now. My poor heart would break if I tried."

"If you are really sure about this, then I am very happy that you won't be leaving me," Holly cheered which caused me to give her a kiss on the lips to show her how sure I was about this.

I see Nick standing at the middle of the floor and I know that there is one other person that I need to talk to about all of this. I start to walk towards him when I feel someone put a hand on my arm to stop me. I thought it was Holly looking for another kiss. It was a kiss that I would have gladly given her, but I got a surprise when I saw that Mom was stopping me. I am slightly disappointed that it wasn't Holly looking for another kiss like I had fantasized. She must have overheard my conversation with Holly.

"Did I hear correctly?" Mom asked me with a look of shock on her face. "Are you really quitting?"

"Yes, Mom," I answered with a nod.

"Are you sure that this is really want you want to do?" Mom pressed.

"I have to," I confirmed. "I am happier here. I know it seems crazy, but..."

"It's not crazy," Mom interrupted. "You have to do what you think is right. I have always supported what you had to do with your life and I will support you now. I love you!"

"I love you!" I cried out while throwing my arms around my mother.

"I know that this will mean that I will have a bit less money, but I have to do it just the same," I mused.

"Money doesn't buy happiness," Mom reminded me.

I turned around once I finished hugging the woman who adopted me. I still had a job to do. I walk towards Nick. Once I got to him, I had trouble speaking to him. It wasn't because I had doubts. It was because he isn't just my boss, but he is my friend as well. It shocked me that Nick spoke first.

"I take it that you won't be coming back with us," Nick guessed.

"Huh? How did you?" I spoke in absolute shock.

"I have gotten very good at reading people," Nick explained. "I saw how you were talking to Holly and your mother."

"I'm sorry," I begged.

"Don't be," Nick advised with a shake of his head. "I am not surprised about this. There were times when you were working at your terminal when you seemed like a robot. I could tell that you were hiding from something. There is just one question that I have to ask you."

"What's that?" I wondered.

"Do you regret working for us?" Nick probed with sad eyes.

"Of course not!" I emphatically replied. "When I grew up, I changed to the point where I needed time away from home. I enjoyed working for Piquant Press. However, coming back here has changed me again. I would regret it if I tried to leave now."

"I can respect that," Nick complimented me. "So, this isn't just because of Holly?"

"Let's just say that she is the last factor," I commented with a laugh.

"I am glad that you are happy here," Nick spoke.

"Are we still friends?" I asked with wide open eyes.

"Of course," Nick answered definitely. "And to stop you from asking your next question, we will still publish Holly's book as well."

I cannot contain my happiness so I give Nick a big hug.

"Company policy says that it is required that you give two weeks notice before you quit, but I am willing to overlook that since I can see how important this is to you," Nick mentioned.

"I appreciate that," I answered.

"Thanks, now go give Holly a hug for me," Nick ordered. "Give one to your Mom and your brother as well."

I rush off to hug all of the people that Nick suggested. As I am doing this, I get a pang in my heart when I realize there is one disadvantage to staying in town. I know that I will miss Bree. It won't be easy calling her to explain things.