Page 19 of Once Upon a Holiday Vacation
I bumped his shoulder with my own. “I’m being serious. I was so disappointed when I found out I wasn’t going to be spending Christmas with my parents, but you made everything better. Just like you always do. I’m glad you talked me into coming on this trip. Thank you.”
His smile looked uncharacteristically bashful, but his eyes gave away how much my words meant to him. “You’re welcome. I’m glad I could make you happy.”
I’m always happy when I’m with you,” I admitted quietly.
Weston reached out, brushing his finger along my bottom lip. I stared in fascination as he then licked that finger. “Mmm. Pineapple.”
My breath caught in my throat at the intimate gesture. His eyes locked with mine, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still. The air between us crackled with tension, and I found myself leaning closer, drawn to him like a magnet.
“East,” he murmured, his voice low and husky.
My heart pounded in my chest as I waited for him to continue, but instead, he cleared his throat and looked away. The moment shattered, leaving me dizzy and confused.
“We should, uh, probably head back,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “There's that island cookout tonight, remember?”
I nodded, trying to hide my disappointment. “Right. Of course.”
As we made our way back to our cabin to change, I couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between us. Weston's touches lingered longer than usual; his gaze more intense. Even when we were alone, away from prying eyes, he seemed reluctant to let go of my hand or move out of my personal space. It was thrilling and terrifying all at once.
The island cookout was in full swing when we arrived, the beach alive with tiki torches, laughter, and the rhythmic beat ofsteel drums. The scent of grilled seafood and tropical fruits filled the air, making my mouth water.
“Let's grab some food,” he suggested, his hand resting on the small of my back as he guided me towards the buffet.
We loaded our plates with an array of island delicacies before joining a table of other couples.
As we ate and chatted, I couldn't help but notice how effortlessly Weston played the role of doting husband.
He kept his arm draped over the back of my chair, leaned in close when I spoke, and even fed me a bite of his grilled mahi-mahi. It felt so natural, so right, that I found myself forgetting it was all an act.
“So, how long have you two lovebirds been together?” asked Marjorie, a silver-haired woman seated across from us.
Weston grinned, pulling me closer. “We've known each other since kindergarten, but we only recently realized what was right in front of us all along. Isn't that right, babe?”
I nodded, trying to ignore the way my heart fluttered at his words. “Sometimes the best things in life are hiding in plain sight.”
“Ain't that the truth,” chuckled Marjorie's husband, Bob. “We've been married forty-five years, and I still discover new things to love about this one every day.” He patted his wife’s hand affectionately.
“What's your secret?” I asked, genuinely curious. “To making it work for so long?”
Marjorie's eyes twinkled. “Communication, dear. And lots of laughter. Never go to bed angry, and always make time for each other, even when life gets busy.”
“And a healthy sex life doesn't hurt,” Bob added with a wink, making Marjorie swat his arm playfully.
I felt my cheeks heat up, but Weston just laughed, pulling me closer. “Noted,” he said, pressing a kiss to my temple.
“What about you two?” someone asked. “Any secrets to share?”
I turned to Weston, my breath catching as I realized how close we were. “Oh, um?—”
“I'd say it's about acceptance,” he said, his voice low and intimate. “Loving someone for who they are, not who you want them to be.”
His fingers continued their gentle caress, and I struggled to focus. Was he doing this for show? But no one was even paying attention to us anymore, caught up in their own conversations.
“That's beautiful, West,” I murmured, searching his face for answers.
The firelight danced across his features, highlighting the sharp line of his jaw, the curve of his lips. He'd never looked more captivating. As our eyes met, I made a decision. Whatever this was—real or pretend—I was going to embrace it fully, savoring every moment we had together.
“You know what else is important?” I asked, surprising myself with my boldness. “Taking risks.”
