Page 39 of Once Upon a Holiday Vacation
I swallowed hard, discomfort rising in my chest. “I... I don’t think that’s a good idea. My parents are expecting us to stay.”
“Are you serious?” His tone sharpened. “We’re both adults here. You can’t tell me you invited me just to hang out with your folks all night.”
I stepped back, my hackles raising. This wasn’t how I’d expected the evening to go at all. “That’s exactly what I invited you for. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to go back inside and celebrate with my family.”
His eyes narrowed. “I thought we had something going here, Easton. Don’t be such a prude.”
The word stung, and I felt my face flush with a mix of embarrassment and anger. “I’m not being a prude. I just don’t want to rush into anything. I barely know you.”
He moved closer again, his hand reaching for mine as his voice softened. “Come on. There are so many people in there, I bet your parents won’t even know you’re gone.”
I pulled my hand away, feeling increasingly trapped. How had I misjudged this situation so badly? “I said no, Tanner. Please respect that.” As I stood there, heart pounding, all I could think was how much I wished Weston was here instead. He’d understand. He’d never push me like this.
Tanner’s face contorted with frustration, his jaw clenching as he realized his advances were getting him nowhere. “You know what? Forget it,” he spat, throwing his hands up in exasperation. “I didn’t sign up for this boring family crap anyway.”
My stomach twisted as I watched him storm off, relief and disappointment warring inside me. Just as he disappeared through the side gate, a familiar figure appeared in the doorway. My heart skipped a beat as Weston stepped onto the patio, his hands shoved deep in the pockets of his jeans and his eyes sparkling with curiosity.
“East?” His brow furrowed as he glanced between me and Tanner’s retreating form. “What’s going on? Was that your date?”
I sighed, running a hand through my dark hair. “Yeah, that was Tanner. He, uh... he wasn’t exactly what I was looking for.”
His lip piercing glinted in the patio lights as he frowned. “Did he do something? You look upset.”
“No, no,” I assured him quickly, though my voice wavered slightly. “He just... had different expectations for the evening than I did.”
Weston’s eyes narrowed with understanding as he stepped up beside me. “Well, good riddance then. I thought he was an asshole anyway.” He bumped my shoulder gently with his, a gesture so familiar it made my heart ache. “You deserve someone who wants the same things you do, East.”
I looked up at him, struck by the intensity in his gaze. My heart began to race as I realized how close we were standing. “West...” I started, not sure what I wanted to say.
He took a deep breath, running a hand over the back of his head. “Listen, East, there’s something I need to tell you.”
I held my breath. “What is it?”
“I lied to you.” Weston’s eyes met mine, filled with a mix of nervousness and determination. “What happened between us on the cruise... it wasn’t just about fun for me. It never was. My feelings for you, they’ve grown way beyond friendship. I...” He paused, swallowing hard.
“I think I’m in love with you, East, and I lied and pushed you away because I got scared. Scared that I’d do something to mess things up and then I’d lose you and our friendship, and your parents. But I realized I was losing you anyway and I can’t have that. You’re my best friend, my family. I need you in my life.”
My heart soared, even as my mind raced to process his words. Weston, my best friend since kindergarten, the boy I’d secretly loved for years, was telling me he felt the same way. It seemed too good to be true.
“You don’t have to say anything,” he rushed on, mistaking my silence for hesitation. “I just needed you to know. Our friendship means everything to me, and if that’s all I can ever have?—”
I cut him off, unable to hold back any longer. “West, I love you too. I always have.” The look of pure joy that spread across his face made my heart skip a beat. I couldn’t help but grin back, feeling lighter than I had in years.
“Really?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Yes, really. I’ve been in love with you for so long, but I was always too afraid to say anything. I didn’t want to risk our friendship either. But someone very wise once told me that sometimes you need to take chances, choose your own adventure and create your own love story. And I choose you, Weston Holt. I want you in my love story.”
He moved quickly, taking me in his arms. The gleam in his eyes was full of promise. “This is it then. You’re stuck with me, no matter what.”
I laughed softly. “Promise?”
“Cross my heart,” he replied, his blue eyes twinkling.
We stood there for a moment, just looking at each other. The sounds of the party faded away, replaced by the rapid beating of my heart. “Can I...?” he asked, his gaze flicking to my lips.
I nodded, unable to form words. As his face inched closer to mine, I closed my eyes, hardly daring to believe this was really happening. Suddenly, a chorus of voices erupted from inside the house, counting down. “Ten! Nine! Eight!”
Weston’s lips met mine just as the clock struck midnight. Fireworks exploded in the sky above us, their brilliant colors illuminating the patio in flashes of red, gold, and blue. The kiss was everything I’d ever dreamed of and more—tender yet passionate, familiar yet thrilling.
