Page 44 of The Holiday Boyfriend

“And get stranded in another middle of nowhere town?” Kingsley teased, causing Ethan to roll his eyes. Kingsley plopped a loud smooch on Ethan's cheek before helping him inside the back of the truck.

I smiled as I watched them. They looked so happy, even after a year of being together. Not all relationships lasted, with my previous track record and my mom's failed marriage being proof, but something told me that their relationship would be one that lasted the test of time.

My gaze moved to Austin, who was walking to the passenger side door.Noticing that I hadn't gone to the driver's side yet, he turned his head and raised a brow in question. Shaking my head, I walked up to him and quickly pressed a kiss on his cheek before he could avoid it.

“What are you doing!” he hissed out while trying to slap me away. His eyes flicked to the back window, where Kingsley and Ethan were sitting.

“I'm giving my boyfriend a kiss. Didn't they also do the same?” I said with a laugh and walked to the driver's side of the truck.

Austin grumbled something under his breath, but I was already getting in the car and couldn't hear him.

I knew without a single doubt that Austin and I would also stand the test of time. Five, ten, even fifty years in the future, it would still be the two of us.

“So, you two finally got together, huh?” Ethan commented when Austin sat down and shut the door. I assumed he’d seen us through the window. I turned to Austin and grabbed his hand.

“Yep, I'm the luckiest man in the world for him to want to be with someone like me,” I said.

Austin watched me with a curious look, like he was trying to see the sincerity of my words. I shot him a toothy grin. Soon, I'd prove to him that I meant every single one of my words.

“Hey, that's my title!” Kingsley piped up from the back, causing Ethan to snicker. I laughed and threaded my fingers with Austin's as I pulled out of the airport. Austin didn't fight me and let me hold his hand hostage, for which I was a bit surprised, but I certainly wasn't going to complain.

“I'm glad it all worked out,” Ethan said, clapping Austin on the shoulder.

With my eyes still focused on the road, I saw Austin look to the back out of the corner of my eye. He paused like they were sharing a secret look before saying, “Yeah, it will all work out.”

I tried not to overthink the tone of his voice, but it sounded like he was trying to convince himself of something. It wasn't a convenient time to ask him since there were others here right now, but my thoughts kept turning back to it.

It reminded me of the date we went on last weekend. I'd planned an entire day for Austin. I even made sure that all the town’s gossips didn't bother Austin with any questions until the last dance, telling them I wanted to give him a huge surprise.

I had my doubts when I asked them to spread the news, but to my delight, the gossips kept their mouths shut and their curious eyes from wandering, at least while in our line of sight.

Austin had been pleasantly surprised by the day I had planned as we reminisced, visiting spots that held memories for us throughout the years. He’d seemed to enjoy himself for the most part, and even looked touched by the field of lights I'd planned as the main event, but at times, a strange, weary expression appeared on his face when he looked at me and he'd sound more uncertain than he usually did.

I wanted to sit him down and beg him to spill everything that was on his mind, but honestly, I was a bit afraid. What if he decided to call this thing off early? Before I could even relay how much I loved him? How much I wanted to grow old with him, like the famous couple that had founded our town?

So I'd kept my mouth shut until now and tried every day to convey my love for him. It was only a few more days until our annual last dance, and I had a plan. I'd even taken that day off from work to make sure it would go smoothly.

My fingers gripped the steering wheel tightly as I thought of the big day. I was nervous that he'd reject me, but also hopeful that he wouldn't. If it all went well, then I'd go home with Austin as my boyfriend. For real this time.

I focused on the words Austin had said.

It will all work out.

* * *

The rest of the ride went by quickly as we caught up on what had happened in the past year. Ethan could barely keep his eyes open by the time we arrived at the B&B, and Kingsley basically had to carry him out of the truck.

After rejecting our offer to help them get the suitcases inside, they thanked us for the ride and promised to treat us to dinner when we were free before heading inside.

Austin and I returned to the truck and made the quick drive home. He was quiet for the entire ride and even as we washed up for the night. Whenever I tried to ask him about it, he seemed to be in a daze and not really hear me.

I figured he had a lot on his mind or wanted some space—which I wasn't happy about but respected—so I didn't push and returned to my room for bed. We'd been sleeping together almost every night, so the bed felt colder and emptier than usual.

As I was about to resign myself to depressingly sleeping alone, the door creaked open. I lay still with my eyes closed, pretending to be asleep in case I scared him off or something.

The bed dipped as he crawled under the blanket and scooted up behind me. He flung his arm around my bare waist. I wanted to bring our hands together so badly, but I was supposed to be sleeping right now.

Austin's hot breath tickled the back of my neck. He pressed his soft lips on the nape, and I forced myself not to shiver under his touch.

---