Page 14 of Once Upon a Holiday Vacation
Weston nudged my shoulder playfully. “Well, that's the point, isn't it? We're supposed to be madly in love. And let's face it, I'm pretty irresistible.”
Despite myself, I laughed. “Oh, is that so?”
“Absolutely,” he said, puffing out his chest dramatically. “I've got the charm, the looks, and let's not forget my impeccable karaoke skills.”
I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help smiling. “How could I forget? I'm sure the entire ship is still recovering from your rendition of 'All I Want for Christmas Is You.'”
He clutched his heart in mock offense. “Excuse me, but I believe we brought the house down. Face it, Easton, we're a dynamic duo.”
As I looked at him, his eyes twinkling with mischief and that familiar, easy smile on his face, I felt the tension in my chest begin to ease. This was Weston, my best friend, the person who knew me better than anyone else in the world. Fake relationship or not, I was lucky to have him by my side.
“You're right,” I said softly. “We are.”
“We should probably head back,” he said. “It's getting late, and I don't want you turning into a genie on me.”
I chuckled, grateful for his ability to lighten the mood. “I think you're mixing up your fairy tales there, West.”
As we started walking back towards our cabin, I made a silent resolution. This trip was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a chance to spend uninterrupted time with the person I cared about most in the world. Even if it wasn't real, even if my feelings would remain unspoken, I was determined to cherish every moment.
CHAPTER SIX
WESTON
I stirred awake,the warmth of the Caribbean sun kissing my skin. My eyes fluttered open, squinting against the brightness. As I stretched, feeling the slats of the lounge chair beneath me, my gaze drifted to Easton.
There he was, just a few feet away, completely absorbed in his book. The sunlight played across his features, highlighting the sharp line of his jaw, the curve of his cheekbones. His dark hair was tousled from the sea breeze, giving him ajust crawled out of bedlook.
My eyes traveled lower, taking in his toned body. Those swim trunks left little to the imagination. This was definitely not the scrawny kid I used to throw in the pool back home.
“What are you reading?” I asked, my voice still rough from sleep.
Easton looked up, a slow smile spreading across his face. “Oh, you're awake. It's the new Elizabeth Clarkson. Pretty good so far.”
I watched, mesmerized, as he marked his place and set the book aside. How had I never noticed how beautiful his hands were? Much like him, they were delicate looking, but I knew the strength they possessed.
“You enjoying it?” I probed, desperate to distract myself from these strange thoughts.
“Yeah, it's...” He paused, considering. Then he let out a soft laugh that sent an unexpected shiver down my spine. “It's making me think about how relationships change over time. How people can know each other for years and still discover new things.”
I swallowed hard. “Funny you should say that,” I murmured, more to myself than to him.
“What was that?” he asked, tilting his head.
“Nothing,” I said quickly. “Just... thinking out loud.”
As Easton launched into a more detailed description of the book, I found myself hanging on every word. Not because I cared about the plot, but because I was captivated by the animation in his eyes, the way his hands moved as he talked.
What was happening to me? This was East. My best friend since forever. The guy who'd seen me at my absolute worst and still stuck around. So why was my heart racing like this?
I tried to focus on what he was saying, but my mind kept wandering. To the curve of his lips. To the hollow of his throat. To how it might feel to trace my fingers along the line of his collarbone.
“West? You okay?” His concerned voice snapped me back to reality. “You look a little flushed. Maybe we should get you out of the sun?”
I cleared my throat. “Yeah, maybe. Or we could, uh, go for a swim?”
Anything to cool down these unfamiliar, simmering feelings. Because one thing was becoming crystal clear: Easton wasn'tjust my childhood friend anymore. He was a man. An incredibly attractive man.
He closed his book with a soft thud, a smile playing on his lips. “You know what? A swim sounds great, but first, how about some drinks? I could use something cold and refreshing.”
