Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

EASTON

The twinkling lights dangled precariously from my fingers as I stretched to drape them across the library's main entrance. My tongue poked out in concentration, determined to get the placement just right. One final adjustment and... perfect.

I climbed down the ladder, taking a step back to admire my handiwork. The warm glow of the lights cast a cozy ambiance over the library's stone facade, transforming it into a welcoming beacon of holiday cheer. A sense of pride and accomplishment swelled in my chest. Not bad, Easton. Not bad at all.

“Well, well, look at you, Martha Stewart,” a familiar voice called out. I turned to see Laura approaching, a mischievous glint in her eye and a box of ornaments balanced on her hip. “Looks like the Christmas Elf has worked his magic again.”

I felt a blush creep up my neck. “Oh, you know me,” I quipped back, adjusting my glasses. “I live for color-coordinated tinsel and perfectly aligned fairy lights.”

Her laughter rang out, bright and infectious. “I can see that. You've got the lights spaced exactly...” she squinted, pretending to measure with her fingers,”... two and a half inches apart. Am I right?”

I gasped in mock offense. “Laura! I'm insulted. It's clearly two and three-quarters.”

She snorted, nearly dropping the box of ornaments. “Of course. How could I have been so careless in my estimations?”

As our chuckles subsided, I found myself marveling at how easy it was to banter with Laura. If only I could be this relaxed around everyone, I thought wistfully. But no, around most people I turned into a stammering, clumsy mess.

“So, decorating genius,” Laura continued, pulling me from my reverie. “What's next on the agenda? Please tell me it involves these baubles. I've been dying to hang them up since we unpacked them this morning.”

I grinned, reaching for the box. “Your wish is my command, m'lady. Let's see what treasures we have here.”

As we began sorting through the ornaments, I couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth. The library had always been my sanctuary, but in moments like these, surrounded by twinkling lights and Laura's easy friendship, it felt like home.

As we hung ornaments on the small tree near the circulation desk, I felt a flutter of nervous excitement in my stomach. I couldn't hold it in any longer.

“So, um, I have some news,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Laura paused, a glittery snowflake dangling from her fingers. “Spill it, East. What's got you all twitchy?”

I took a deep breath. “I'm going on a cruise. For Christmas. To the Bahamas.”

Her eyes widened, sparkling brighter than the ornament she held. “No way! That's amazing! A tropical Christmas? I'm so jealous!”

“It's not just that,” I continued, fiddling with a red bauble. “I'm going with Weston.”

Her jaw dropped. “Shut up! Your dreamy best friend Weston? The one you've been pining over since forever?”

I felt my cheeks heat up. “I haven't been pining,” I protested weakly.

She rolled her eyes. “Please. You light up like these Christmas lights every time he walks into a room.”

I sighed, knowing she was right. “Anyway, it's not what you think. We're going as friends. My parents left town to help my aunt, and he knew I was sad about it. He won the tickets through a radio contest and invited me to cheer me up.”

“Still, you have to admit, it's like something out of one of your books!” she said with a dreamy sigh.

“Speaking of books,” I said, eager to change the subject, “you remember me telling you about the ladies from the Book Nook?” Laura nodded, her eyes still dancing with excitement.

“Well, she told me something interesting about manifesting your future. Like, if you believe in something hard enough, it might come true.”

Laura's face lit up even more, if that was possible. “Oh my god, yes! I'm totally into that stuff. It's all about positive energy and putting your desires out into the universe.”

I chuckled nervously. “I don't know, it sounds a bit far-fetched to me.”

She shook her head vigorously. “No way. This is your chance. You have to embrace it. Imagine yourself falling in love, believe it can happen, and who knows? Maybe the universe will make it so.”

As I hung another ornament, I couldn't help but wonder. Could it really be that simple? Just believe, and it might come true? The rational part of my brain scoffed at the idea, but a tiny spark of hope flickered in my chest.

Laura's eyes suddenly widened, and she snapped her fingers. “I've got it! What you need is a makeover.”

My stomach dropped. “A... makeover?” I stammered, nearly fumbling the delicate glass ornament in my hands.

“Trust me. A little update to your look could do wonders for your confidence,” she insisted, her enthusiasm infectious.

I glanced down at my worn sweater and faded jeans, then thought of Weston's effortless style. My heart raced at the idea of impressing him, but fear gripped me too. “I don't know, Laura. I'm not sure I'd even recognize myself.”

“That's the point!” She grinned, practically bouncing. “Just think about how Weston's jaw will drop when he sees you.”

I bit my lip, torn between excitement and anxiety. What if I looked ridiculous? What if Weston hated it? But then I imagined his blue eyes widening in appreciation, and my resolve strengthened.

“Okay,” I said quietly. “Let's do it.”

Laura’s loud squeal echoed throughout the quite building and I quickly looked around to see if anyone had heard us. Luckily, it was almost closing time, and the library was fairly empty.

The next day, she dragged me through what felt like every store in the mall. I trailed behind her, feeling like a fish out of water as she piled clothes into my arms.

“Try these on,” she commanded, shoving me into a changing room.

I stared at my reflection, barely recognizing the man in fitted dark jeans and a soft emerald sweater that brought out the green in my hazel eyes.

“Well?” she called impatiently.

I stepped out, tugging at the hem of the sweater. “I feel... exposed,” I admitted.

Laura's eyes lit up. “You look amazing! Weston won't be able to take his eyes off you.”

I narrowed my gaze at her. “I’m not doing this for Weston. We’re just friends,” I reminded her.

She waved a hand through the air like my words had no meaning. “Fine, fine. Forget I even mentioned him. Besides, you’ll be too busy fighting off every other man aboard that ship.” She leaned in, lowering her voice to a whisper, “Even the ones with wives.”

I swatted her arm as I tried and failed to cover up a laugh. “You’re so wrong.”

“So wrong I’m right?” she asked, waggling her eyebrows at me.

I shook my head at her antics. “Come on, I’ll buy you an iced coffee from the food court later if you promise to stop causing trouble.”

As we moved from store to store, I found myself slowly warming to the process. I even dared to suggest a leather jacket that reminded me of one Weston often wore.

“Now you're getting it!” Laura cheered, adding it to our pile.

By the end of the day, exhausted but exhilarated, I looked at the bags surrounding us. “Do you really think this will make a difference?” I asked softly.

She squeezed my hand. “The clothes don't make the man, Easton. But they can help you see yourself the way others already do—as someone incredible.”

I smiled, a newfound confidence blooming in my chest. Maybe, just maybe, this cruise would change everything.

The buzz of the hair clippers filled my ears as I sat in the salon chair, my heart racing. I watched in the mirror as long locks of my dark hair fell to the floor, each snip feeling like a step further from my comfort zone.

“You're going to love this,” the stylist, Mia, assured me with a wink. “Trust the process.”

I nodded, trying to quell the butterflies in my stomach. As Mia worked her magic, I couldn't help but wonder what Weston would think. Would he even recognize me?

“Almost done,” Mia announced, reaching for my new glasses. Laura had talked me into trading in my old wire-rimmed frames for a black hipster pair. She gently placed them on my face, adjusting them slightly. “Take a look.”

I blinked, staring at my reflection in disbelief. My hair was shorter on the sides, longer on top, styled in a way that accentuated my facial features. The glasses, sleeker than my old ones, made my hazel eyes pop.

“Is that... me?” I whispered, barely recognizing the man in the mirror.

Laura, who had been watching from a nearby chair, let out a squeal of delight. “Oh my god, Easton! You look incredible!”

I turned to face her, a shy smile tugging at my lips. “Really?”

She bounded over, her eyes sparkling with approval. “Really! You're absolutely adorkable. The men on that cruise aren’t going to know what hit them.”

I felt a blush creep up my neck, warming my cheeks. “Adorkable?”

“It's the perfect blend of adorable and dorky,” she explained, grinning. “It's so... you.”

As we left the salon, I caught my reflection in a store window. For the first time in years, I felt a surge of confidence. Maybe I could do this. Maybe I could truly create my own destiny.

“So,” Laura nudged me playfully, “excited for the cruise now?”

I took a deep breath, surprised by the anticipation bubbling up inside me. “You know what? I think I am.”

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across my living room. I paced back and forth, my hands fidgeting with the hem of my new navy-blue sweater. My suitcase stood by the door, packed and ready for our tropical holiday adventure.

“Breathe, Easton,” I muttered to myself, trying to calm my racing heart. “It's just Weston. Your best friend. Who you've known forever. Who you're secretly in love with. No big deal.”

I glanced at the clock for the hundredth time. 7:58 AM. He'd be here any minute.

As if on cue, a sharp knock echoed through the apartment. I froze, my stomach doing somersaults. This was it. Taking a deep breath, I smoothed down my hair and adjusted my glasses before reaching for the doorknob.

The door swung open, and there he was. Weston, with his messy blond hair and sea-blue eyes, looking as effortlessly handsome as ever. But as his gaze landed on me, something shifted. His eyes widened, his mouth falling open in surprise.

“East?” he breathed, blinking rapidly as if he couldn't quite believe what he was seeing.

I felt my cheeks warm under his scrutiny. “Hey, West,” I managed, my voice barely above a whisper.

His eyes roamed over my new haircut, my glasses, the fitted sweater that actually showed off my lean build. “You... you look...”

My heart pounded in my chest. “Different?” I supplied, suddenly unsure if this makeover had been a good idea.

A slow smile spread across Weston’s face, making his eyes crinkle at the corners. “Amazing,” he finished, his voice filled with warmth. “You look amazing, East.”

He offered to help me with my bags and I couldn't help but chuckle as Weston—usually so graceful and athletic—stumbled over his own feet while reaching for my suitcase. His hand missed the handle completely, nearly toppling the whole thing over.

“Whoa there, West,” I teased, steadying both him and the suitcase. “Try not to fall down the stairs with these. I’d hate to spend Christmas with you in the hospital.”

His cheeks flushed a deep red, a rare sight that had me tilting my head in concern. “I, uh... Sorry,” he mumbled, finally managing to grab the suitcase. “Just caught me off guard, that's all.”

As we made our way down to his car, I stole a quick glance at him and found him staring back at me. He quickly averted his eyes, making it impossible to tell what he’d been thinking. My mind raced with possibilities. Did he hate my new haircut? Think I looked foolish in these new clothes?

“So,” Weston cleared his throat as we drove towards the airport, “what brought on this change? Not that you needed it, of course.”

I fiddled with the hem of my sweater, considering how to answer. “I guess I wanted to try something new,” I said softly. “You know, new adventures and all that.”

He nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. “Well, it suits you. Really suits you.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. You look good.”

The city streets gave way to the highway, and I found myself staring out the window, a small smile playing on my lips. The excitement of the cruise was bubbling up inside me, overshadowing any lingering doubts I may have had.

Whatever happened on this cruise, I realized, I'd be facing it with my best friend by my side. And really, what could be better than that?