Dead Ends // Hugh Jackman

Chapter 31

"Did you really have to take it to this extreme, Mom?"

It's Christmas evening, the night of the soiree. The last 2 days were kind of a blur between putting up all the decorations and the tree. Usually we'd have all that stuff up by Thanksgiving weekend, but with Milo and I living all the way in Texas, and mom going through a divorce, I'm surprised we put anything up at all. Though having Hugh around came in real handy when placing the tree topper because of how tall he is. He did it so effortlessly. Just rose an arm and put it on.

Anyway, I digress. It has nothing to do with what my mom has done.

I haven't seen Hugh at all since we started getting ready for this small event. He got all dressed up in the guestroom, and I was in my mom's doing hair and makeup. What I didn't know then was that she had planned it that way. Down to a T.

Because even after we were all done, I had to remain in her bedroom until they left. Apparently, we were going in separate vehicles. She called them a taxi, while her and I would take the SUV. It didn't make any sense to me why on earth we had to do that.

At least, not until we got in the car and I asked her what was going on. Then, she spilled everything. The whole reason she wanted it this way was so that when Hugh finally saw me, it'd be magical. I swear she thinks we're in some rom-com. I'm 100% sure that it still would have felt that way back at the apartment. She really didn't have to take it this far.

"You say it's extreme, but to me it'll be so romantic."

My lips pull down in a frown. I'm not liking where her response is going.

"Think about it," she drones on. "He'll get there first, but he won't go inside without you, so he'll wait for you by the valet."

Valet? I thought this was a quaint get together with close friends and family. I think my mom downplayed just how big this event actually is, but I'm brought out of my thoughts as she continues to describe this magical moment she thinks will happen.

"As we pull up, I'll honk. He'll turn around and watch you get out of the SUV in that jaw-dropping dress, and it'll be like time stops when his eyes land on you. The sight of you will take his breath away. For a single second that feels like forever, it'll be like it's only you two in the whole world. You both won't be able to stop yourselves from smiling so hard each other. It'll be perfect," she ends her spiel with a sigh.

I just blink at her. I think she's seen and read one too many romance stories. It fills her head with these unrealistic expectations, but I'm glad that even after everything, she still believes in a love like the one she thinks Hugh and I share. Not that we're in love. I mean we haven't even said those words to each other.

"You'll see, Erin," she says it like that's exactly how it will all play out, but she doesn't account for that I'm her daughter. Nothing ever happens as it's supposed to with me.

I don't tell her that though. I let her daydream a bit longer before reality eventually hits. Unfortunately, it doesn't come quickly.

We reach the valet. There's a whole group of them. About 4 or 5. One of them goes around to take my mother's spot on the driver's side, and another opens my door for me. The moment my mom is outside, she places a hand on the horn and honks it.

I was expecting it, but it still makes me jump in my seat at the shrill sound of it. I almost misstep but quickly catch myself. I wish I could say that I get out of the SUV like how my mom envisions, but I'm so short, I have to hop out, especially in this dress or it'll ride up my thighs and wrinkle the silk. I make sure that the shawl I brought with me to keep me warm in the cold is wrapped around me snuggly.