Page 52 of Hensley Manor
“Uh huh.” I messed with my tie, making sure it was straight.
“I’m glad you’re here, Cole.”
At Lance’s change in tone, I stopped fidgeting with my tie and regarded him. I’d gone over to his house that afternoon to get ready for the party, and he’d been making silly jabs at me ever since. He had been over the moon excited when I called and said I’d attend his parents’ Christmas Eve party tonight for the first time in years.
“I’m glad I’m here, too.”
“I’m also glad you stopped with that snow globe shit. I thought you were on drugs.” He stepped away to scrutinize himself in the mirror, scrunching up his face as he checked his nose. “So, this Ian guy is meeting you here? Call me old-fashioned, but doesn’t a dude normally pick up his date?”
“He had business to take care of today,” I said, rolling my eyes. “He said he’d probably be late and didn’t want me to miss the party.”
“Whatever.”
Ian and I’d been seeing each other for four days. We’d had dinner Saturday evening, and while we hadn’t stayed the night together, he had come over to my apartment afterward and we’d drank wine and watched a movie. No kissing. However, the next day he had surprised me at lunch and took me out to a nice bistro. We’d eaten lunch and chatted more before taking a walk downtown to the river front.
By the river, as we watched the snow fall on the water, he had kissed me. He’d been a bit unsure and timid as his lips touched mine, but when I returned the kiss and gripped his side, he’d exuded the most delicious of sounds and slid his hand to my nape.
At the memory, I touched my lips and smiled. Things between us were moving slower than they had in Evergreen Valley, but it wasn’t a bad thing. Sex with Ian—or the Ian from the snow globe—had been incredible, and I knew whenthisIan was ready, it would be just as amazing.
Voices sounded from downstairs as guests began to arrive.
Megan came back into the room wearing a red dress that matched her lipstick, and her dark hair flowed to one side in a half-up, half-down style. Lance placed a hand on her hip and kissed her neck.\
She was the same girl he’d told me about before all of the weird stuff with the snow globe even happened. I was happy she’d turned out to be more serious than he’d thought. He needed someone to ground him.
Just as I needed the same.
Soon, the three of us walked down the grand staircase to the party. Lance’s parents hugged me and said they were happy I was there.
“Eat as many tarts and cookies as you want,” Patricia, Lance’s mom, said before pinching my cheek.
I smiled. “Yes, ma’am.”
She hugged me again before her and Dave greeted their other guests.
A band played Christmas carols, and couples danced in front of the fifteen-foot tree. The scene reminded me of the party Ian had intended to throw, and an ache burrowed in my chest at how he’d never gotten to attend it. Which was silly.ThatIan had been a dream…or something close to it. Not real.
I moved through the room, gazing up at the tree and finding it beautiful as the lights twinkled and danced. The only thing missing was a deranged peacock Christmas ornament. Warmth flooded my chest at the memory, and I smiled at an older couple who did a waltz several feet away. They kind of reminded me of George and Nancy from the manor.
As the band began to playSilent Night, I found I didn’t hurt as much as I used to when hearing the carol. It made me miss my mom, but it no longer crippled me. I even started swaying to it as I hunted for one of those tarts Patricia told me about.
I’d changed so much in such a short amount of time. I finally felt like I was on the right path. It wasn’t in Evergreen Valley like I’d originally planned, but it was exciting nonetheless.
A tap on my shoulder made me turn.
And I nearly fell over.
Ian was stunning. Easily the most gorgeous person in the whole house. Blond hair was styled to perfection, looking like he belonged in a black and white movie, and his tailored suit highlighted every inch of his impeccable form.
“You made it,” I said excitedly. Maybe even a bit relieved.
“Of course.” Ian closed the gap between us, moving one hand to my back and linking our fingers with the other. His blue eyes softened. “I owe you a dance, remember?”
Fuck, he melted me like butter. I was about to say something cheesy and romantic when something occurred to me.
The Ian inthisreality had never said anything about wanting to dance with me. The only time we’d discussed it was the night before Christmas Eve while sitting in front of the fire in his room, me leaning against his chest as he nuzzled my ear.
I gaped at him. Speechless.
