Page 44 of A DIY Christmas Miracle
At last.
I didn’t know how much longer I could’ve endured being so close to him without either going crazy or pouring my heart out and confessing my feelings. I didn’t know which option was worse because it was obvious my feelings for him were very much one-sided.
My cheeks heated upon thinking back to the look of sheer horror on his face when I’d invited him to join me in the hot tub. I’d been so sure he had feelings for me, too. We’d had so much fun and there’d been this vibe, this tingling sensation that flooded my whole being whenever we shared a smile, but, as it turned out, it’d just been wishful thinking on my part. When I’d invited him into the hot tub, the color had drained from his face, he’d avoided my gaze, and he’d flat-out lied to me, saying he didn’t like hot tubs.
What utter and complete bullshit. I’d heard him saying he was looking forward to relaxing in the hot tub again and again. I knew because I made a point of remembering everything he said.
A pair of jeans followed my sweater, flying into the suitcase.
Oh god. It’d been so humiliating to be rejected like that.
“Eli?”
“Huh?” I looked up from where I might’ve been packing my suitcase slightly too aggressively and saw Cassy standing a couple of feet away.
“Josh and I are already finished packing, and… we’d really like to make a detour to drop by his brother’s house. Do you mind if we leave early?”
I shook my head. “Of course not. Besides, you’re not my ride.”
Nope. As if being rejected by Will and having to keep sharing a bed with him wasn’t humiliating enough, I’d also get to sit right next to him for hours on end. In a very confined space. My dream from a week ago that had turned into my worst nightmare.
“Yeah, I know, but… since all the others already left, I wanted to make sure it’s okay to let you and Will do the last walk around.”
“Huh?” Why was everyone gone already? We could have made the drive home together as a convoy. We could’ve made a couple of stops together, maybe shared some lunch at a roadside diner.
“Did you listen to what we were saying at breakfast?”
Guilty as charged, I shook my head. “Not really. What did I miss?” I flopped down on the already-made bed.
“Linda and Juliet are heading straight for Linda’s parents’ house to celebrate New Year’s with them. Sophie, Jack, and Marc are already on their way home because Sophie’s ultrasound appointment has been rescheduled and they need to be home by noon. What was on your mind that you managed to miss the whole conversation?”
I gave Cassy a meaningful look. She knew exactly what — or should I saywho— had been on my mind.
“Yeah, yeah. You’ve been pining over your Prince Charming. Stupid question, I know.” She giggled and patted my shoulder. “Don’t give up hope yet. You still have a few hours together.”
I just snorted bitterly. If he hadn’t already rejected me, her encouragement might’ve been able to lift me up. As it was, it felt like she was rubbing salt into my wounds.
The hours we’d spend together would be torture. I’d be so close to Will, yet farther away from him than ever before. Because real life wasn’t some fairytale. Real life didn’t have a guaranteedhappily ever after.
“See you tomorrow.”
“Mhmm.” I hugged Cassy goodbye, but my mind was already wandering off again.
My great plan to take fate into my own hands had failed so miserably, it couldn’t have gone any worse.
Maybe Fate existed after all, and now she was angry because I’d tried to pass her over.
“Cheer up, Eli. Believe me. All is not lost yet.”
I gave Cassy a pained smile. I knew she only meant well. But she had Josh. She was in for a fun car ride and about to have a nice day. I, however… wasn’t.
With a heavy sigh, I bundled the rest of my stuff in my arms and threw the whole heap into my suitcase, closed it, and plopped down on it so I’d be able to zip it up. I didn’t care if my clothes got wrinkled. I needed to wash them, anyway.
The sound of a car engine coming to life reached my ears. I walked up to the window and watched Cassy and Josh’s car slowly pull away.
Maybe I should’ve asked her to wait until Will and I were ready to leave, too. Anxiety grew inside me. There was a heavy, sinking feeling in my gut. A whole day alone with Will after he’d turned me down. It was going to be great.
“Eli?” Speak of the devil. Of course Will wanted to know where I was when everyone else had gone on their merry way already. He was probably itching to finally be rid of me.
