The Rules of Dating My Best Friend's Sister(5)

“If there’s anything you need, I’m right next door,” he reminded me.

How could I forget? “Thank you.”

The fact that this apartment happened to be right next door to Holden’s made me nervous as much as it was comforting.

“So tell me about the geek adventures that brought you here.”

I crossed my arms. “You mean the research-project interview.”

“I’m teasing. But you are too damn smart for your own good. Always made the rest of us look like bigger idiots than we are.” He sighed. “Anyway, seriously, tell me about it.”

“It’s an interview for a research grant on the effects of dopamine in relation to Alzheimer’s disease.”

“Interesting.” He scratched his chin scruff. “Dopamine is like a sex hormone, right?”

Of course, his mind would go straight to that. “It’s a type of neurotransmitter that the body makes. It impacts how we feel pleasure. Too much or too little can affect us negatively. But yes, it is produced in response to sexual stimulation, among other things.”

“So, wait, too much dopamine can be a bad thing? It can make someone lose their mind?”

“Well, anything in excess is bad, right? But this particular study is focusing more on low levels of dopamine and the increased risk of Alzheimer’s.”

He nodded. “Ah. So the more sex someone has…the less likely they’ll get Alzheimer’s?”

I cleared my throat. “The research seems to point in that direction, yes.”

“Damn. I’m all set then. My brain will be sharp as a whistle.” Holden winked.

I rolled my eyes. “Sex does have many benefits. And very few downsides—as long as you’re careful.”

“I’m always careful,” he said, his expression sincere.

“Good.”

“Especially with Colby as an example,” he added.

Colby had impregnated his daughter’s mother during a one-night stand about five years before he met his wife, Billie. Saylor was a gift, but certainly that had been a hard lesson for all of the guys: one lapse in judgment could change your entire life.

He tilted his head. “So, tell me more about the benefits of sex.”

“Are you serious?”

“Sort of. I’m mainly enjoying watching your face turn red right now.”

I felt my cheek. “Am I?”

“A little. But really, I’m intrigued. I never think about hormones and shit and how all of that can impact someone for the long term. But good to know that sex has health benefits.”

“The increase of both oxytocin and dopamine during orgasm wipes out cortisol, which is the stress hormone.”

He nodded. “That’s why people feel so relaxed after.”

“Right.”

“But I never knew those hormones could, like, protect your brain. That’s huge.”

“Almost every decision we make—what we put in our bodies, food or otherwise—has an impact on our overall health.” I smiled. “You know what else increases dopamine levels?”

“What?”

“Music.”

“Ah. Nice. Another win for me.”

“The chills I bet you get in the middle of a great set? A lot of that is dopamine.”

“But like you said, too much can also be bad, right?”

“There are some negative side effects of too much dopamine, like anxiety, insomnia, too high of a sex drive.”

“So my memory will be perfect, but I’ll continue to go through life as a horn dog with occasional anxiety.” He nodded once. “Got it. Sounds about right.”

I laughed.

“Thanks for the education, Lala. You’re so smart.” Holden smiled. “It’s good to see you. It’s felt like forever.”

Dare I bring it up? “Yeah, I think the last time was Colby’s wedding, huh?”

“Yup.” He nodded slowly. “A year. Too damn long.”

His eyes locked with mine, and I immediately thought back to the dance he and I had shared at the wedding. Warren had disappeared to the bathroom. I’d looked up, and suddenly Holden was standing there in his place. I remember hoping to God Warren didn’t come back to find me dancing with Holden. It had been a slower song, and I didn’t want him to think anything inappropriate was happening. But maybe that’s because I was the one thinking inappropriate things. Like clockwork, the song had ended, and Holden left the dance floor right before Warren reemerged. My fiancé, therefore, had no idea that I’d just shared a dance with my childhood crush.

It was like it never happened—except for the fact that I had continued to think about it all night. I’d steal glances over at Holden and feel guilty because I couldn’t put my finger on it, but there’d been something special about that dance. Did I think Holden liked me like that? No. But his cutting in when Warren left did seem quite intentional. Maybe the sentimental feel of the wedding had gotten to him. Weddings are a huge milestone. They have a way of making you realize life is passing us all by. And I wondered if the song made him emotional about missing Ryan. Since I was the closest thing to Ryan there, maybe that was why he’d latched onto me in that moment.

“Anyway…” Holden interrupted my thoughts. “I know there are a lot of people eager to see you tonight. Colby and Billie are making dinner. They wanted me to bring you over to their place when you’re done settling in. I think we’re already late, actually.”