His Shortcake

Chapter 13

Tamara Ramirez

The weeks following the ball were a whirlwind of chaos.

When news of our engagement broke, it was splashed across every news outlet by morning. The headlines screamed our names, and gossip sites buzzed with speculation and opinions. Even my university's blog got in on the action, with students dissecting every detail of our relationship.

It was surreal and overwhelming.

Thankfully, it was our Christmas break, sparing me from facing the public eye on campus. Dad and Alec took no chances, hiring a fleet of bodyguards to ensure the media couldn't breach the sanctity of our home. Every time I glanced out the window, I saw them—stern, vigilant, and ready to shield me from prying eyes.

Dustyn spent every moment he could at our house, creating a comforting bubble of normalcy amid the frenzy. As we spent time together, I noticed a shift in the way he looked at me. His eyes lingered a bit longer, and his smiles were softer, filled with warmth and adoration. It was a look I hadn't seen before, or maybe I hadn't let myself see it. When I caught him staring, he didn't shy away; instead, he met my gaze with a smile that made my heart skip a beat, then would draw me into easy conversation, as if the world outside didn't exist.

Christmas arrived with a mix of anticipation and dread. Dustyn suggested inviting my family to his home for the celebration, insisting, "This would be good for Mom." He seemed hopeful, but I sensed a storm brewing beneath his mother's polite veneer.

Dinner was a tense affair. Dustyn's mom found subtle ways to critique my every move. Each time I spoke, she twisted my words with a sharp, disapproving edge. Dad and Alec exchanged tight-lipped glances, their patience wearing thin. Meanwhile, Amelia, my stepmother, seemed to revel in Dustyn's mother's disapproval, chiming in with eager agreement.

The air was thick with unspoken tension. I felt it pressing down on me, making it hard to breathe. As soon as dinner ended, I fled to the car, feeling a sense of relief wash over me as the door closed, shutting out the oppressive atmosphere.

Later that night, Dustyn called, his voice filled with regret and apologies. "I'm so sorry about tonight. I didn't expect it to go that way," he confessed, his words heavy with sincerity. I assured him I understood, letting him know that I didn't hold him responsible for his mother's behavior.

We didn't see each other again until New Year's Eve, and this time, Dustyn wanted it to be just us. Away from prying eyes and judgmental glares, we planned a simple night together with just a few bodyguards lurking in the background, keeping their respectful distance.

It was 10 PM on December 31st. I sat curled up in my favorite reading nook, a cozy corner of my room adorned with fairy lights that cast a soft glow, and the scent of vanilla candles filled the air. I was lost in the pages of one of my all-time favorite books, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, when Alec's voice broke my concentration.

"Tamara, you should get dressed," Alec called out from the doorway, leaning casually against the frame with a playful smirk.

I looked up from the book, blinking as I adjusted to the real world. "What? Why?" I tilted my head, genuinely puzzled.

Alec chuckled and shook his head, walking into the room. "Come on, you don't want to spend New Year's Eve in your pajamas, do you?"

I glanced at the oversized sweatshirt and cozy leggings I was wearing, my typical attire for a night in, and shrugged. "What's wrong with pajamas?"

He laughed, a warm, familiar sound that made my heart lift. "Just trust me. Dustyn has something planned. You'll want to look nice."

Curiosity piqued, I closed my book, marked my place with a well-worn bookmark, and rose from my comfortable nook. The anticipation in Alec's eyes was infectious, and I felt a thrill of excitement flutter in my chest.