Chapter 10 – Stella
STELLA
The resort’s holiday party is everything I hoped.
From the over-the-top decorations to the band set up in the corner playing Christmas music, to Holly and Teddy making eyes at one another.
It’s been such a great week. We’ve skied, snowboarded, had an ugly Christmas sweater party, baked cookies, and so much more.
We leave tomorrow and I’m actually disappointed. Although excited about being closer to Beau.
“I’m so happy for you.” I lean closer to Holly and whisper the words.
My twin blushes and then shoots another dreamy glance in the direction of her favorite football player.
Earlier this week, Felix had to go to Scottsdale to check in on the house and me and Lucas went with him, leaving Holly and Teddy all alone.
It took some convincing, though. Holly worried she’d say or do something embarrassing, but I gave her an epic pep talk and she finally agreed to hang back with Teddy for the day.
Then it snowed . . . a lot. We couldn’t come back until the next day and, though it wasn’t exactly how I envisioned it, leaving them alone did the trick. Holly finally made a move. Hallelujah.
They haven’t told Felix yet, which is why they’re shooting covert glances at one another and not making out on the spot.
My cell buzzes in my hand. I know, I know.
I should put it away, but this whole fun, ritzy, slightly romantic, holiday party, combined with seeing my sister so happy, has me all up in my feelings.
I wish Beau were here. I almost broke down and saw him while I was in Scottsdale, but he was busy with his dad and then . . . I don’t know, I got nervous.
Beau
How’s the party?
Me
It’s fun. What are you up to tonight?
“Put that away,” Holly nudges me. “You’re missing this and it’s incredible.”
“Okay, okay.” I wait a second more to see if Beau responds quickly. When he doesn’t, I slide my phone into my purse. “You’re right. I’ve wanted to go to this party for years.”
Garrison and James, two more of my brother’s teammates, came down for the party tonight.
They’re standing with Teddy, Lucas, and Felix, the five of them shuffling awkwardly next to us.
It’s a lot of older couples dancing and people our age hanging at the bar.
Everyone is dressed up and way more reserved than the parties the guys are used to throwing and attending.
I fight a chuckle at the five of them. They look like they don’t know what to do with themselves.
Except Lucas. He has a playfulness about him that makes me think he probably never feels uncomfortable.
As if proving my thought, he spins onto the dance floor and holds out his hand to me. “Dance, Stella?”
I glance at Holly. “Impressive. You can finally tell us apart.”
He holds up his hand. Something is scribbled in ink. He stares at his palm as he reads, “Holly is in green, and Stella is in red.”
“Oh my gosh.” Laughter bubbles then spills over. “That is truly pathetic.”
But a little fun is exactly what I need tonight, so I step toward him and take his hand.
He wraps an arm around my back and moves us to the beat.
“You’re not a bad dancer,” I tell him.
“I’m a great dancer.” His grip loosens and he steps back, then tugs me forward.
Holly and Teddy join us on the dance floor and the rest of the guys head to the bar. Felix stares at his best friend and sister as he walks in the back of the group.
Holly notices and pink dots her cheeks.
They must have told him. Wow. Go, Holly.
The four of us dance through two more songs. I’m smiling, but my heart isn’t really in it. I should have taken Beau up on his offer to hang out sooner. If Felix can handle his best friend hooking up with his sister, then surely me dating a guy from another team won’t be such a big deal.
The band plays the final chorus of “All I Want for Christmas” and something, or rather someone, snags my attention across the room.
His black hair is messy, and he is wearing dark jeans and a black T-shirt.
He’s the most casual guy in the room, but he’s still earning glances from all the women around him.
I blink rapidly to clear my vision and make sure I’m not dreaming, but he’s still there. Beau is here. He smiles when our eyes lock. I lift a hand in a small wave, half-convinced I’m just seeing things.
“Another dance?” Lucas steps back as the song changes to something more upbeat.
He starts to turn to follow my line of vision, but I grab his hand and pull him with me. “Actually, I need a drink. Let’s join the guys at the bar.”
Lucas doesn’t need any more encouraging than that. He leads us off the dance floor and I dig my phone out of my purse.
With trembling hands, I read my missed texts.
Beau
I was at a party. Now I’m doing something spontaneous and a little crazy.
A little while later, he sent another.
Beau
You look even more beautiful in person.
My fingers move over the keys at a frantic pace.
Me
OMG. You’re here?!
My head spins.
“Not you two, too,” Felix grumbles to Lucas as the two of us get closer.
“What do you say, Stell. Is that love I smell in the air for us?”
I don’t respond right away because I barely heard him. Beau is here. I glance up at my brother and his teammates. This is so not good.
“We’re just friends,” I say.
“Oooooh, burn.” James holds a fist over his mouth as he laughs.
I shoot Lucas an apologetic smile. “But you’re obviously the best choice here.”
The guys cackle some more and my phone buzzes.
Beau
Yeah. Are you pissed? I should have warned you. It was a spontaneous decision. I couldn’t wait to see you. I’m outside.
“What do you want to drink?” Felix asks.
“Just grab me a water when the bartender comes by. I’m going to run to the restroom and then I think I saw a friend from school.”
“If she’s hot and single, bring her over,” Garrison says.
I force a smile. Yeah, I don’t think that’ll be happening.
I do stop in the restroom to check my makeup and take a few deep breaths. I send Beau a text that I’m headed to him and then I weave my way through the party, checking to make sure no one sees me go out the front door.
My stomach is in knots as I step into the cold night. Scanning the parking lot, I spot Beau leaning against a black SUV. He lifts a hand when our eyes meet. My stomach flips.
Among all the other emotions I felt at seeing him, excitement finally wins out now that we’re alone. I jog toward him as fast as my stilettos will let me, without twisting an ankle.
He straightens and moves quickly, those long legs eating the space between us.
“Hi.” I’m breathless when we’re finally standing a foot away from each other.
“Hey.” The Christmas lights strung around the resort reflect off his glasses. He still looks hesitant, like maybe he isn’t so sure this was a good idea. Ditto, but he’s here anyway.
I lunge for him, wrapping both arms around his neck. His arms go around my waist and he lifts me off the ground.
“Fucking finally.” He exhales and then sets me back down.
We keep clinging to each other. He has several inches on me, so the position has me tilting my head up to look at him. His gaze drops to my mouth.
“I want to kiss you, but I can’t decide if that’s jumping about ten steps ahead since we haven’t even held hands yet.”
“I don’t really like holding hands anyway,” I say as my heart hammers in my chest.
One side of his mouth lifts as he leans in so close, I can smell the hint of peppermint from his gum. “Good to know.”