Page 18 of Holidate Pursuit

Lucy and Trevor stand by, waiting. Trevor looks amused, clearly recognizing the bewilderment on my face, while Lucy appears uneasy, making me want to sling her over my shoulder and leave this all behind. Instead, I drape my arm over her shoulder and give her a playful squeeze.

“You ready to introduce me to my future in-laws?” I lean down and kiss her forehead as she looks at me like a deer in headlights, Trevor chuckling in the background. “It’s okay, baby. We’ve got this,” I whisper in her ear and nuzzle her for a second while I’m there, breathing in her scent.

“Come on, it’s time for the fun part. I can’t wait to see the shock on their faces,” Trevor says as he starts up the stairs.

But I pause on the second step, turning Lucy to face me. “What does he mean by shock? I thought I was here because you already told them we were engaged?”

Trevor stops and turns around. “You didn’t tell him what he was walking into? Oh, this is going to be good.”

“Lucy, what am I missing?”

“They know we’re engaged. They just didn’t know you were coming.” She winces.

“You fucking kidding me right now? Were you not going to warn me?” I’m whispering so Darryl doesn’t hear and get suspicious, but there’s enough venom in my voice to make it clear I’m angry.

“I was worried you’d back out. I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry? Anything else you forgot to tell me, other than your parents have no idea I’m here and that you’re rich as fuck?” I’m frustrated that I’m walking into an unknown situation without more time to prepare.

Another staff member, this one in an honest-to-God maid uniform, opens the front door, cutting our conversation short with no choice but to finish it later. And you can bet we will be.

“Greetings, Miss Lucy, Mr. Trevor. Your parents are waiting in the conservatory.”

I feel like I’m in an actual twilight zone as we enter. If I thought the outside was grand, it’s nothing compared to the opulent luxury once we step over the threshold. Completely overthe top, absolutely indescribable, and with no subtlety that it’s Christmas.

“Thank you, Mary,” Lucy says to the woman as we walk by.

Trevor is in front of us, and I grab Lucy’s hand, unsure if it’s for her comfort or mine, considering I’m the one who should be on pins and needles at the moment.

As we weave through the extravagant house, I notice there’s a fully decorated Christmas tree in each room we pass. We travel down a long corridor that descends into a large open area at the end with wall-to-wall windows, and a glass roof overlooking the ocean. Between us and the sand lies a pool that looks like it belongs at a resort.

Holy shit, who are these people?

“Lucy, dear. I’m so glad you made it. We were beginning to wonder if you’d changed your mind about coming.” Her mom rises from the chair she was sitting in and stops short when she sees me. “Who do we have here?” she asks, her shrewd eyes glued to mine.

Lucy’s dad places his book on the table beside him but stays seated, saying nothing while sipping the amber liquid in the glass he holds, waiting for an answer.

Trevor walks over to make himself a drink at the minibar and addresses me, giving his sister a few more precious seconds to gather her thoughts. “What do you want to drink? I think you might need it.”

“I’ll take a whiskey. Thanks,” I respond before towing a petrified Lucy further into the room.

“Mr. and Mrs. Alcott, I’m Justin, Lucy’s fiancé. It’s a pleasure to be here. I apologize for barging in unannounced, but I surprised Lucy at the airport today. She thought I couldn’t break free from work, but I made some last-minute changes to make it happen. I knew how important it was to Lucy for me to meet you.”

“Surprise!” Lucy says, plastering on a fake smile as she holds up her hand, flashing the ring while Trevor brings my drink over.

She walks over to her mom, and sure enough, the woman thoroughly inspects it. Her smile upon completion is somewhat reassuring. They hug and air kiss on each cheek as if they were in France, which we may as well be since I feel like I’m in a foreign country right about now.

“I’m glad you’re wearing it this time. That makes it official, I guess,” her mom comments.

“Mom, Dad, this is Justin Burns, my fiancé. Justin, this is my mom, Josephine, and my dad, Franklin.” She gestures to each of them, and that’s my cue.

Her mom seems the safest place to start, so I shake her hand first. “Mrs. Alcott.”

“What a nice surprise. We’re happy to have you, Justin. We’ve been dying to meet the man who stole Lucy out from under us,” she says in a way that makes me question whether she meant it as an insult.

Next is her dad, who rises from his chair as I approach. His handshake is much firmer, and the battle of wills is apparent. However, I’m not stupid enough to overpower him right out of the gate, so I relax my grip.

“It’s good to meet you, sir. I’m sorry for showing up unexpectedly, but I was anxious to meet Lucy’s family and put any concerns you have about me marrying your daughter to rest.”

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