Page 14 of Claiming Candy

When I get back to the mansion, Ethan surprises me with information about a high-profile Christmas Eve event that the two of us will be attending later tonight. In all of the excitement of the last few days, I almost forgot how close we were to the holidays. Before meeting Ethan, I was practically counting down the hours until Christmas day, but now I’m holding onto each second.

As I’m getting changed into one of the expensive dresses Ethan bought for me the other day, I wonder how I’m possibly going to fit in. Apparently, I’m supposed to rub elbows with people who make more money per month than I’ve made in my whole life. I’m so nervous about it that my hands shake, and I have to redo my eyeliner four times.

It isn’t until we’re in the car on the way to the event, Ethan dressed in a well-fitting tux, that I ask, “Why bring me? I don’t think I’ll be very useful.”

“This event isn’t about raising money,” he says, reaching over to grab my hand. “And, even if it was, you’d charm their socks off.”

“Thanks,” I say, feeling myself blush at his praise.

“No need to thank me for telling the truth,” he replies. “Anyway, this is all about networking and boosting my public appearance.”

“Oh,” I say, feeling doubt about myself starting to sink in.

There’s no way I’m good for his public appearance. Even when I’m dressed up in a dress worth more than my old wardrobe, I think it’s obvious that I’m not comfortable in it. The heels I’m wearing are short, but I know that I’m not graceful in them. I’m sure that as soon as I walk into the venue, everyone’s going to know that I don’t belong.

“There’s no need for you to worry about anything,” he says, reading my thoughts with ease. “I’ll keep you right by my side the entire night, and I’ll do all the talking. Your only job is to stand there and look pretty.”

His words soothe me a little, but I’m still nervous. When the car comes to a stop, I’m shaking so hard that I’m unable to hide it. Ethan sighs, pressing a kiss before getting out of the car, telling me to stay put.

My door opens, and Ethan offers me his arm. I take it, holding onto it for dear life as we make our way up the stairs of a beautifully decorated mansion. If I weren’t so anxious, I might take a moment to admire the golden light of the ornate candy canes reflecting off the glittering snow.

“Look over there,” Ethan tells me, pulling my mind back to the present.

I follow the line of his fingers, my eyes landing on a huge evergreen tree growing on the lawn. Its branches, though laden with fresh snow, are decorated beautifully. There are strings of white lights wrapping around it from bottom to top. There are large ornaments hanging off of nearly every branch, and garland strung between the lights. At the top, there’s a giant star that glows almost as brightly as the several hundred strands of fairy lights.

“Wow,” I breathe, stopping in my tracks as my eyes widen.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Ethan asks.

My heart stops when I realize the implication of what he said. This man has openly told me that he doesn’t like Christmas, that he thinks that decorations like this are a waste of money. He’s pointing these out for me. He’s calling them beautiful for my benefit.

It’s like an iciness I didn’t realize was in his heart that first day we met has started to melt. That gives me the courage to hold my head up high. When we start moving again, I know that no matter what happens at this event, I’ll be okay. If Ethan’s trying for me, the least I can do is try for him.

Once we’re inside, I’m introduced to so many different people that I can’t keep their names straight. That’s okay, though. I realize very quickly that what Ethan told me about standing there and looking pretty was true.

While I love the Christmas decorations, I can’t help but be overwhelmed by how much money was spent on these. Not only are there intricate displays, but there’s a band at the front playing music. It feels almost contradictory to the point of the holiday.

It’s then that I remember the interaction I had with Ethan this morning while I was volunteering at the shelter. While I understand his reluctance to roll up his sleeves and help out, it’s clear that our priorities are different. I don’t think that couples need to agree on everything, but I guess I assumed that he’d be able to tell how much giving back to the community that helped me meant to me – especially around this time of the year.

He might be changing, but there’s something that sticks to my insides and makes me doubt things. What if that’s just the first indication of the two of us being different? What if there are things between us that are irreconcilable?

Once again, like he’s reading my thoughts, Ethan leans over and whispers in my ear, “Is everything alright, Candy?”

“Yeah,” I say, putting on a reassuring smile. “Just overwhelmed with all the people I’ve met tonight, I guess.”

“I get it,” he says, his eyes flicking to the dance floor. “Let’s take a break from all the people. Dance with me.”

“I don’t know how to dance,” I admit, already being dragged toward the throng of people gliding across the floor.

“Between me and you, I don’t either,” he says, leaning in close and whispering in my ear like he’s sharing a secret. When we get in the middle of the crowd, he shifts his grip on me, putting one hand on my waist and grabbing my hand with the other. “I just figured it’d be a good distraction.”

I giggle as he spins me around, only keeping my footing thanks to his support. Face to face again, he swoops in to kiss me. For a long moment, I get lost in the contact.

“This is a pretty good distraction,” I say when the two of us part.

“I have to agree,” he says as he continues to lead me through the crowd. “And look at this, you’re a natural.”

“I don’t know about that,” I say with a grin. “I feel like I’m going to trip over my feet.”

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