Page 15 of Once Upon a Holiday Vacation
My mouth suddenly felt dry. “Yeah, that sounds perfect.”
“I'll grab us something from the bar. Any preferences?” he asked, already rising from his lounge chair.
I shook my head. “Surprise me.”
As Easton walked away, I couldn't resist the urge to watch him go. There was an ease to his movements, a quiet confidence that I'd never really noticed before. It stirred something warm and unfamiliar in my chest.
“Get it together, Weston,” I muttered to myself, running a hand through my hair.
Deciding I needed a moment to clear my head, I headed for the restroom. The cool air inside was a welcome relief, and I splashed some water on my face, trying to shake off these new, confusing feelings.
When I returned to the pool deck, my eyes immediately searched for Easton. I spotted him at the bar, but he wasn't alone. A tall, bronzed stranger was leaning in close, saying something that made Easton laugh.
My steps faltered. The stranger's hand was on Easton's arm, and they were standing far too close for my liking. Easton was usually shy around new people, but he certainly seemed to be enjoying this man’s company. I felt a knot form in my stomach, an uncomfortable tightness that I couldn't quite explain.
“What the hell?” I whispered, surprised by the intensity of my reaction. It was just a friendly conversation, right? So why did I suddenly feel like marching over there and pulling Easton away?
I stood rooted to the spot, torn between intervening and letting the scene play out. My heart raced as I watched the stranger lean in even closer, whispering something in Easton's ear. The knot in my stomach tightened.
“It's just protectiveness,” I told myself, unconvincingly. “He's my best friend. I'm looking out for him.” But deep down, I knew it was more than that. The jealousy surging through me was unexpected and intense.
Finally, Easton broke away from the conversation, heading back towards me with our drinks. My jaw ached from clenching it, but I forced a smile, trying to look casual as he approached.
“Here you go,” he said, handing me a glass. “I got you a whiskey sour.”
“Thanks,” I replied, taking a sip. “So, uh, who was that guy you were talking to?”
He shrugged, seemingly oblivious to my inner turmoil. “Oh, just some friendly guy at the bar. He asked what I was reading, and we got to chatting. We like to read a lot of the same authors. Turns out, he’s from Indiana too. He gave me his number, so we could stay in touch,” he added with a grin.
I couldn't help myself. “East, I don't think he was interested in your book.”
“What do you mean?” he asked, his brow furrowing in confusion as he took a sip of his fruity drink.
I sighed, exasperated. “The guy was clearly hitting on you.”
He barked out a laugh. “I think the sun really has gotten to you. Tanner was just being nice, that’s all.”
My eyes narrowed to slits.Tanner? Even his name screams twat waffle.“Nice? More like an asshole, if you ask me. I mean, why else would he be hitting on a married man?”
Easton blinked, then shook his head. “West, he didn't know. It’s not like I’m wearing a ring.”
“Well, did you tell him you're married?” I pressed, my voice rising slightly.
He looked at me like I'd grown a second head. “No, I didn't. Because we're not really a couple,” he answered slowly.
His words hit me like a punch to the gut. He was right. We weren't really married. This was all pretend. So why did it bother me so much?
“Are you feeling alright?” Easton asked, concern evident in his voice. “You're acting kind of weird.”
I rubbed the back of my neck, suddenly feeling foolish. “Yeah, sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
I leaned back in my chair, trying to shake off the strange feelings swirling inside me. Easton's words echoed in my mind:We're not really a couple.Why did that sting so much?
“You sure you're okay?” His gentle voice broke through my thoughts. His hazel eyes, magnified by those hipster glasses I secretly found adorable, were full of concern.
I forced a smile. “Yeah, just... thinking.”
“About what?” he prodded, setting his drink aside and giving me his full attention.
