Page 10 of Holidate Pursuit

“Then what the heck? You look like you saw a ghost.”

I drop my head into my hands, groaning before lifting it back up. “Justin finally looked at me. Like, reallylookedat me. He was right there, Lily, just staring from the sideline, and I froze. Oh my God, I feel like such an idiot.” Telling her about my swift departure sounds as bad as I remember it, making her laugh. At least one of us is.

“You’re not an idiot, but I don’t think you’re over Justin.”

“There’s nothing to get over. He ghosted me as if I were nothing to him. And now I’ve probably ruined my chances with Jordan because of the jerk.”

“Do you think maybe he did it on purpose? He avoided you all night, and then when you dance with another guy, he makes sure you see him. Maybe there’s more there than you think.”

“Whether it was intentional or not doesn’t matter—the door is closed. You know, I just realized how tired I am. I think I’m just gonna head home. Let’s go back to the table so I can say goodbye.”

“Fine. But I bet Jordan will still ask you out. I saw you two out there, and he seemed really into you,” she says as we walk out.

“Yeah, we’ll see about that.”

Upon hearing of my departure, Sebastian insists on having the company car drive me home, and he doesn’t get any protest from me until he waves Tom over to escort me out. Unsurprisingly, I don’t win the argument, and the next thing I know, Tom’s leading me toward the exit.

Awkward, since the last time we were together, we were playing tonsil hockey. I’m hoping he’s not expecting a repeat when his hand finds my lower back as we walk. However, it doesn’t look like he’ll get the opportunity because before we make it out of the banquet hall, someone else’s hand lands on his shoulder.

“I’ll take her from here, Tom. Go ahead and take my post while I’m gone,” Justin tells him.

Tom turns his head but doesn’t remove his hand. “It’s okay. I’ll make sure she gets to the car safely.”

“It wasn’t a request,” Justin states with a pointed look that saysdon’t fuck with me.

This is ridiculous. “I’m fine walking out on my own,” I interject.

“That’s not an option,” Justin states.

“Then I’d prefer Tom take me,” I respond, lifting my chin slightly.

“Your preference wasn’t asked for. Let’s go.” He grabs my arm and propels me forward, leaving a bewildered Tom behind.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I wrench my arm from his grasp.

“What does it look like? I’m seeing you out.”

Storming ahead of him until I reach the doors to leave, I suddenly stop to face the man who, until twenty minutes ago, hadn’t given me the time of day and wouldn’t even look at me.

“I don’t need you to make sure I’m safe. In fact, you’re the last man who should have that responsibility since your respect and concern for me rank in the negatives.” Turning abruptly, I shove the door open and rush to the car, flinging myself inside to escape.

The door doesn’t shut quickly enough to avoid hearing Justin’s booming voice as he calls out, “Lucy, wait!”

But I don’t.

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS

Lucy

The next day, I sit on Lily’s couch while she patiently listens to my pity party. I don’t know what I’d do without her at this point. She’s been such a good sport, hearing me drone on for the last hour now.

“That’s two men who are now out of the question because of one man who has absolutely no right to interfere,” I say before taking another big gulp of wine.

“To be fair, you didn’t even want one of them.”

“That’s not the point,” I argue.

“But it’s true.”

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