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Holly glanced at the time. The dance still had another hour before it was over, and afterward, the guys were supposed to have them over for hot chocolate. That couldn’t happen. If she saw Eric again, she would spill the truth. That his kiss had shaken her to the core, that she indeed could not stop thinking about him the whole night, and that, yes, she did have feelings for him. What kept her lips sealed was imagining the look of betrayal on Aimee’s face when they announced to their friends that they’d decided to date. Holly couldn’t do it.
After dressing for bed, she snuggled under the covers and tried to read over the descriptions of the classes she’d enrolled in. They would be tougher than ever, requiring more coursework than she’d had in previous classes. It was to be expected as a junior, but still, it would take all of Holly’s effort and time to get everything turned in promptly.
Needing something to do, she grabbed the duffel bag from underneath her bed and started packing. There was no way she was going to the guys’ apartment later. If she could convince Diane to leave early, maybe she could avoid Eric until the end of Christmas break. A few weeks in the dry heat of Las Vegas with Diane and her parents was exactly what Holly needed to recharge.
By the time her roommates returned to the apartment and rushed to their rooms to change, Holly was sitting on the bed, the packed duffel bag in her lap.
Diane checked on her first. “What’s going on? Eric said you weren’t feeling good.”
A frown started on her face. “I’m not. Diane, can’t we go home? Tonight?”
“Tonight? But—”
“I know it’s a long drive, but it’ll be like old times when we drove through the night and stayed up the whole next day. Can’t we do it? Please, Diane? I’ll drive for most of the night if you’ll finish the morning.”
Concern rippled through Diane’s expression. “Did anything happen at the dance? You were excited to go, and then you just left.”
“Yeah, I promise I’m fine. I’ll pack your things if you make sure the car is warmed up.”
Diane frowned. “Okay, but let me tell Cameron goodnight. Aimee’s not going to be happy.”
“I’m not going to be happy about what?” she asked, coming into their room.
Diane shrugged her shoulders and pointed to Holly. “Ask her.”
As Holly explained their sudden exit plan from Utah, she packed Diane’s bag, knowing exactly what Diane would want on the short, two-week trip.
“But what about hot chocolate?” Aimee asked. “Come on, Holly. It’s been such a fun night. Don’t spoil it by leaving early.”
Holly stared at her friend. It wasn’t Aimee’s fault she felt conflicted, but holding her tongue was the most she could do for her friend. Instead of saying anything, she continued shoving in things Diane would need. There was a bag of presents they’d gathered for their family, Diane’s candy bag, and her bathroom essentials. Just as Holly stood to go to the vanity area, Aimee grabbed her by the arm. Hard.
“Ouch,” Holly said, pulling away.
Aimee dropped her hand. “Sorry. I just—it feels weird between us right now. Is everything okay?”
It would be—in a few days when Holly could clear her head. “Yes, it’s fine.” She gave Aimee a hug, and it helped ease the tension in Holly’s shoulders. “We’ll see you after the new year, okay? I’m glad you had fun tonight. You and Eric looked cute together.”
“Right?” Aimee beamed at Holly.
They hadn’t looked cute together one bit. Eric had looked stiff the whole night, but Holly couldn’t tell her that. Eric would eventually move on from Holly, and Aimee would be waiting.
“Merry Christmas, Holly,” Aimee called to her as Holly headed toward the door with both bags.
Holly glanced up at the mistletoe above the door and winced. “You too.” It was time to get this long night over with, and since she wouldn’t be able to sleep, she’d allow herself to think about Eric and their perfect kiss—only until they arrived in Las Vegas, and then she would let time heal them both.
10
Eric
As soon as Eric came back from the dance and removed the tux that had matched Holly’s dress so well, he changed into sweats and a hoodie and busied himself with packing. He and Cameron would be leaving for St. George the next day to spend Christmas with their families. When an hour passed, way longer than it should take a girl to get out of a dress and into normal clothes, he went by the girls’ apartment and paced, waiting for someone to open the door.
He’d practically begged Aimee to get Holly to come with her. He’d mentioned it at least three times, to the point where Aimee looked exasperated. Still, he wanted to be sure she’d come.
Aimee came to the door in her PJs and leaned in to kiss him. He turned his cheek to her, and she hesitated before giving it a kiss.
“Why aren’t you coming over?” he asked
She yawned and smiled. “I honestly forgot. The other two girls left, and I was going to lay down for a few minutes before coming over, and I guess I fell asleep.”
