Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 87181 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87181 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“Take many pictures to show me when you get back, okay?” I told him.
“Will do. And Holly?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m glad Kai’s not spending the holiday alone this year. He acts tough, but I know he’s a teddy bear. If he gets a little emo, don’t take it personally. Holidays are hard for him.”
“I’ll take good care of him.”
“Thanks.” He gave me another hug before Kai handed him the suitcase, and he was on his merry way.
The drive to my hometown took us about three hours, and luckily for me, it was easy to talk to Kai the whole time. I did most of the talking, but he was a good listener, which worked out for me. The closer we grew to town, the more my nerves began to bubble up. When I went home for Thanksgiving, I was in and out, so I didn’t have to face many townspeople. Now that I was spending a few days back home, I was much more nervous about interacting with others. I’d been able to avoid most people since the incident happened last Christmas Eve. I knew I wouldn’t be able to do that this time around. Thankfully, Kai would be by my side for added support.
I shifted in my seat and picked at my fingernails. “My family can be a lot. My mom’s a bit too hands-on, and my father is very protective of me and might question you a little too much. For the most part, he’s pretty quiet, though. He’s more of an observer than a talker. And my younger brother is a jerk who makes a living teasing me.”
“So, what you’re saying is your family loves you?”
“Yes.” I nodded. “More than anything.” As we pulled into my parent's driveway, I placed my hand against my chest. “Oh my gosh. Why is my heart racing so quickly? Why do I feel so nervous?” Before I could open my door, Kai was already out of the car, rushing to open it. I stepped out, feeling the palms of my hands begin to sweat.
“You are nervous because you’re about to bring a fake boyfriend to meet your family and try to pull it off that it’s a completely real and authentic relationship, which is a very stressful situation to find yourself in.”
“Oh. Right. Okay.” I looked over to Kai as he began pulling our suitcases out of the trunk. “You think we can pull this off?”
He placed the luggage beside me, wrapped his hand around my waist, and pulled me into him.
The sudden proximity of Kai threw me off.
He smelled like my favorite cologne, a mix of oak and citrus.
I tilted my eyes toward him as my heart pounded rapidly against my chest. “What are you doing?” I asked.
“Playing the part,” he replied, leaning in toward me. “Kiss me.”
“What?”
“Now,” he ordered as his lips grazed across mine. I did as he said, pressing my mouth to his. His arms stayed wrapped around my waist, and my back slightly bent as he cradled me in his arms and kissed me. I felt so many conflicting things all at once. Dizzy. Stable. Lust. Joy. Confusion. Happiness. Forever.
Forever.
That was an odd thing to feel, but I felt it.
As Kai pulled away, he held eye contact with me. I swore I saw the same flutter of emotions somersaulting through his stare.
“Well, if it isn’t the two lovebirds,” Mom’s voice said, interrupting what I thought was an intimate moment between Kai and me. I quickly realized he was playing the part. He must’ve seen Mom heading our way.
Shake off the butterflies, Holly. They aren’t real.
“You must be Kai,” Mom said, holding her hand out toward Kai.
Kai took Mom’s hand and pulled her into a hug. “Yes, ma’am. It’s nice to meet you.”
Mom hugged him back and was giddy as she let him go, then hugged me. “You didn’t tell me how handsome he was, Holly.”
“You didn’t ask,” I joked.
“Oh my gosh, I’m so happy.” Mom’s eyes welled up with emotions as she pulled away. She placed her hands on her hips and studied me. “This makes me so happy for you, Holly. This is so good,” she said.
“Mom…pull it together,” I slightly snickered, shaking my head.
“Is she crying yet?” Dad asked as he walked out of the house in our direction.
“Like a leaky faucet,” I replied.
Dad wrapped me in his arms and kissed my forehead. “Hey, sweetheart. I missed you.”
“Missed you, too, Dad.”
When he let me go, the gentleness he gave to me shifted. Dad became extremely stern as he turned toward Kai. He eyed him up and down with judgment. “And you must be the boyfriend.”
“Yes,” Kai replied, holding his hand out toward Dad. “I’m Kai.”
“Kai,” Dad muttered, shaking his hand—tightly. I was almost certain he would squeeze the poor guy’s fingers off. “Are you treating my daughter well?”