Page 14 of Whiskey Holiday
"Tannon and I met the other night, Dad," I tell him, and all I hear from my dad is a grunt.
My mom lays her hand on my dad's forearm. "Come on, my love. We were young once. Let's let them be." Dad's features soften with my mom's touch, and he looks down at her. She smiles up at him, her eyes full of love.
I've always admired the love my parents have for one another. Mom adores everything about my dad, even when he is less than perfect. My dad calls my mom his little slice of heaven.
I could read all the romance novels the world has to offer and fantasize about the over the top love I find between each book's pages, but it would never live up to the love story I've watched unfold my entire life. Still, not one word, sentence, or phrase could ever live up to the kind of love and adoration like my parents have for each other, and I only hope to find the same for myself one day. My expectations are higher than average because I have grown up surrounded by something much more significant than a four-letter word.
I look at Tannon, who then looks down at me, and I feel my tummy flutter.
Could I have all of that with him?
Is Tannon my forever?
All I know is my connection with him is far different than anything I have experienced before, and I'm eager to explore the possibilities. Tannon presses his lips to my forehead, and I melt like snow on the first day of spring.
The front door opens, and a cold blast of winter air flows in, and I watch my parents begin to leave. My mom turns around. "We'll see you tonight, sweetie."
"Drive safe. I love you guys." I shiver from the cold, dancing around my bare feet.
"We love you too. Oh, and Tannon, we hope to see you tonight as well, dear." Then my mom closes the front door.
Tannon and I stand silent for a second. "Well, that just happened." I place my coffee mug on the table.
"You have great parents." Tannon spins me to face him with my front pressed against his. Tipping my head back, I look at him and lift my hand to his face, running my fingertips across his beard.
"This is crazy, you know—us?"
"Nothing crazy about knowing what you want, baby." Tannon dips his head and runs his mouth down my neck, and my skin prickles. Tannon's palms skim over my hips before reaching around and grabbing my ass cheeks. My feet leave the floor as Tannon lifts me. I wrap my legs over his hips and feel his erection pressing hard against my center.
"We both should get ready for work." My fingers tangle in his hair as Tannon begins to move.
"We will, but first I'm going to eat breakfast." Tannon carries me up the stairs to the bedroom.
Several hours later,I'm behind the bar making cocktails for a large group of bikers and their old ladies, and I find myself singing along to Bing Crosby'sWhite Christmasthat's playing in the background.
"Sweet baby Jesus. God spent a little extra time on those men—their women too." Brinkley busies herself, making a Mistletoe Martini for the older lady at the end of the bar.
"Who?" I fill two large glass pitchers with tap beer.
"The bikers," Brinkley says.
"I'm making their drinks now," I tell her. "They're from Polson."
"I need to make a trip to Polson and get me one," Brinkley swoons. I can't blame her. Those men are fine. "Speaking of fine. I couldn't help but noticed the extra pep in your step today, and I'm willing to bet Mr. Christmas is the reason for the jolly mood you're in." I smile because why hide my happiness. "Spill it." Brinkley places the Martini on a napkin and slides it to the customer.
I continue making the cocktails the group from Polson ordered as I tell my best friend everything. After giving her the rundown, Brinkley stares at me like I've grown another head. "What?"
"You've fallen for this guy," she states, and I laugh.
"No. I'm just taking your advice; living a little and having fun."
Brinkley is silent for a moment. "Winter, I've known you since we were in diapers, so don't try to bullshit a bullshitter. You love this guy." My best friend's statement causes me to pause. Hearing what I already know to be accurate takes root.
"Do you think I'm crazy, Brinkley? I've known Tannon less than 48 hours, yet it feels like I've known him my entire life."
Brinkley places her hand on my arm, and I look at her. "Listen to your heart. What is it telling you?"
At that moment, Tannon walks through the door, and the words move past my lips. "Everything."
