Page 38 of Once Upon a Holiday Vacation
I hesitated for just a moment before pushing open the front door. Immediately, I was enveloped in warmth and the familiar scent of my childhood.
“Easton!” My mom appeared, pulling me into a tight hug. “Oh, honey, you look so handsome. Come in, come in! Everyone’s dying to see you.”
She ushered me further inside, and I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety bubbling up inside me. The living room was packed with familiar faces, all chatting and laughing.
“Wow, Mom,” I said, taking in the elaborate spread on the dining room table. “You really outdid yourself this year.”
She beamed at me. “Well, it’s not every day we get to ring in a new year! Now, go mingle. And keep an eye out for that handsome date of yours.”
I felt a twinge of guilt at the mention of Tanner. “Right. Yeah, I’m sure he’ll be here soon.”
As I made my way through the crowd, exchanging greetings and dodging well-meaning questions about my love life, I couldn’t help but scan the room for a certain blond head. But there was no sign of Weston yet.
“Get it together,” I muttered to myself, grabbing a glass of champagne. “You’re here with Tanner. Weston is just your friend. Nothing more.” But even as I tried to convince myself, I knew it was a lie. Because no matter how much I wanted to move on, my heart would always belong to Weston Holt.
As I took a sip of champagne, I spotted Tanner entering the room. My heart skipped a beat, but not in the way I’d hoped. He looked handsome in his dark jeans and expensive looking sweater, but his expression was flat, almost bored.
“Hey, you made it,” I said, moving to greet him. “Happy New Year’s Eve.”
He gave a half-hearted smile. “Yeah, thanks for inviting me. Nice... party.”
I frowned, sensing his lack of enthusiasm. “Are you okay? You seem a little off.”
“I’m fine,” he replied, shrugging. “Just not really into the whole New Year’s thing, I guess.”
I tried to push down my disappointment. “Well, there’s plenty of food and drinks. Maybe we can find something to get you in the spirit?”
He nodded absently, his eyes already wandering around the room. I felt a nagging feeling in my gut but pushed it aside. Maybe he was just shy in new social situations.
“Come on,” I said, gently touching his arm. “Let me introduce you to my parents.”
As we made our way through the crowd, I couldn’t help but compare Tanner’s detached demeanor to how Weston would’ve been in this situation—probably cracking jokes and charming everyone in sight. I shook my head, scolding myself for the comparison.
We reached my parents, who were chatting with some neighbors. Mom’s face lit up when she saw us. “Easton, sweetheart!” she exclaimed, pulling me into a hug before turning to my date. “And you must be Tanner. Welcome.”
I felt a surge of pride as Dad shook Tanner’s hand. “Welcome to our home. We’re glad you could join us tonight.”
“Thanks for having me,” Tanner replied, his tone polite but distant.
As my parents engaged Tanner in conversation, I found myself silently willing him to open up, to show the charm that he’d displayed on the cruise. But with each passing moment, his responses grew shorter, his posture more rigid.
I caught Mom’s worried glance and felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment. This wasn’t how I’d imagined introducingmy date to my family. Where was the connection, the spark I’d hoped for?
As Tanner’s apparent boredom became increasingly evident, I couldn’t help but think,What am I doing? This isn’t right. The thought of Weston flickered through my mind again, and this time, I didn’t push it away.
After some food and a few party games, Tanner’s hand suddenly gripped my elbow, startling me from my thoughts. “Hey, let’s get some air,” he murmured, already steering me towards the patio doors.
I nodded, relief washing over me. “Sure, that sounds good.”
The cool night air hit my face as we stepped outside, and I took a deep breath, grateful for the respite from the crowded living room. Weston still hadn’t shown up and I was beginning to doubt he even would, although I knew he’d never disappoint my mom that way.
The patio was softly lit with fairy lights, creating a cozy atmosphere that contrasted sharply with the tension I felt building between me and this man I barely knew. I leaned against the railing, trying to collect my thoughts.
“So,” Tanner said, his voice low. “This party’s kind of a drag, isn’t it? What do you say we get out of here?”
My chin shot up. “What? But it’s almost time for the countdown.”
He moved closer, his breath warm on my cheek. “Come on, Easton. We could have our own private celebration at your place.”
