As we headed down the first aisle, passing rack after rack of fishing vests and waders, I beamed with excitement. For weeks I’d been busting at the seams to go shopping for Hart’s first Christmas present from me. Work had been crazy busy for the past three weeks and was only going to get crazier with Christmas and New Year’s approaching. Nancy closed Thanksgiving and Christmas but that was it. I had to be at work by 8 a.m. So this would be the only chance I’d have to shop for Hart.
“Why don’t you just order this stuff online?” Sophie whined.
“Because I want to pick out each thing myself and hold it in my hand to make sure it’s exactly right.”
“Okaaay . . . what are you looking for?”
“I decided to get a bunch of small fishing items and put them in a Yeti cooler.”
“What’s that, some kind of Star Wars thingy?”
Ignoring her, I pushed my cart farther down the aisle.
“So, what’s the fo-wun-wun on the Slimy Bastard situation?”
“Nothing new to report. He doesn’t want to talk until after the holidays.”
“Fuck that. You need to go ahead and hire a lawyer, get the papers drawn up and serve his ass. And I swear to god, Bryson, if you don’t ask for what you’re entitled to I won’t be your friend anymore.”
“You’re lying.”
“True. But you get my point. Too bad you don’t have evidence of him sliding his sausage into some skank’s biscuit.”
My face crinkled. “Where the hell do you get these phrases from? Besides, he’s held strong in his denial of having sex the old-fashioned way with other women.”
“He’s a liar.”
“Maybe. But I’d like to hold on to that one belief he wouldn’t do that to me.”
Sophie was right about going ahead and getting a lawyer. I had to think of what was best for me. I just felt if Will and I could meet and discuss the details first before getting lawyers involved, it would make the process less complicated.
As we rounded the corner a giant wall of camouflage barreled toward us, almost knocking Sophie over.
“Whoa! Excuse me, darlin’,” the giant bear of a man drawled, as he placed his large hands around Sophie’s shoulders and steadied her.
Sophie pushed her index finger into the center of the bear’s chest and said, “Next time watch where you’re going, Grizzly Adams.”
A big toothy grin appeared from behind his bushy beard. Sophie was average height at 5’7”. Grizzly had to stretch to at least 6’4”. It was pretty comical to see a little thing like her threaten a giant.
“It won’t happen again. Scout’s honor.” He winked and headed in the direction we’d just come from.
Sophie’s gaze followed Grizzly all the way down the aisle. “Hmm . . . strong hands. Long fingers. Nice ass. Maybe there’s something to the great outdoors after all.”
Spotting my biggest item, I squealed and pushed my cart forward. “There it is!” I sucked my lower lip between my teeth and studied my options. “I know what size but not which color. Oh, maybe the pretty light blue one. It matches Hart’s eyes.”
“Uh-huh, cause that’s what all the dudes look for when purchasing their caveman crap.”
I gave her a sideways glance. Using the self-portrait feature on her iPhone as a mirror, Sophie adjusted a wide brim bush hat in pink camouflage, cocking it to the side of her head.
“I could totally pull this off, don’t you think?”
“I’m getting the white cooler.”
As we made our way around the store collecting the other items on my list, Sophie spotted Grizzly several times. Her flirting got bolder with each sighting. I was happy she found something to occupy her time while I got the rest of Hart’s gift. I paid for my stuff and was waiting at the entrance while Sophie leaned against the gun counter stroking Grizzly’s big long hunting rifle he’d just bought. When her violet eyes flitted in my direction I gave her the wrap-it- up sign.
After Sophie and the bear exchanged goodbyes, she headed toward me, smiling with something clutched between her fingers.
Swaying her hips, sounding like a bratty kid showing off, she sang, “Ah-ha! I got his digits . . . I’m gonna call him . . . he’s gonna come over. And. Then. I’ll. Climb. Him.”
I shook my head and headed out the store.
“I’m here! I’m here!” I yelled, shrugging off my coat as I ran into my mom’s kitchen.
She was dropping a stick of butter into the stainless steel mixing bowl. “Well, it’s about time. I was getting ready to send out a search party.” She turned on the big orange KitchenAid mixer.
Mom and I had planned our holiday cookie baking for this Sunday afternoon. I’d gotten delayed at work and was running an hour behind. I considered canceling but she was the better baker in the family, not me. And what’s Christmas without cookies? Plus, between work and my secret relationship, I hadn’t seen much of my parents.
I walked up next to her, raising my voice so she could hear me over the buzzing of the mixer. “I’m sorry. I got caught up at work. Whatcha need?”
“Measure out two and one-fourth cups of flour,” Mom said, as she creamed together the butter and powdered sugar for our Sands.
Technically, we were making traditional Mexican wedding cookies. But Mom always called them Sands for some reason.
I grabbed the measuring cup, a bowl, the sifter, and the flour then got to work.
She cut off the mixer and scraped the sides of the bowl with a spatula. “So, you’re staying busy at work?”
I dipped out a cup of flour and leveled it off. “Extremely. But I love it. I’m learning so much.”
“That’s great.” She flipped on the mixer.
We worked in comfortable silence for several minutes. The quieter buzz made it easier for us to chat and catch up. I was standing a few feet away from her, concentrating on my nut chopping when I felt her eyes on me.
Giving Mom a sideways glance, I asked, “Am I doing it wrong?”
“You’re doing a great job. I was just admiring your jacket.”
Since I was already late I didn’t bother going home to change. I was still wearing my uniform from work, which included black pants and the chef jacket Hart gave me. I hadn’t told my parents about Hart. One reason was because I was still legally married and I thought they’d be disappointed in me knowing I’d already moved on from Will. The other reason was, until I knew Will’s mind set regarding the settlement, I wasn’t going to flaunt my relationship with Hart in front of anyone.
“Thanks.”
“You look so good and professional in it. And it even has your name embroidered over the pocket. Did you get it from work?”
I didn’t want to lie to Mom. I still felt terrible keeping mine and Will’s separation a secret from her and Dad for so long. A lie by omission was still a lie in my book.
I exaggerated clearing my throat. “Mmm-hmm.” Quickly followed by a fit of coughing, hoping the phlegmy noise would drown out all other utterances. “Nuts are done!”
“Perfect timing.”
Once all the ingredients were mixed we got down to the business of making cookies.
“I ran into Susan Bovair the other day,” Mom said, rolling the dough between her palms.
I placed a Sand on the cookie sheet. “That’s nice.”
“You know her daughter Caitlyn had a baby a few months back.”
Scoop. “I didn’t know that.”
Roll. “They also just bought a new house.”
Drop. “Good for them.”
I wasn’t exactly sure why Mom was telling me about Caitlyn Bovair now Merrick. She knew we weren’t friends. Caitlyn had been a bitch since the age of five.
Scoop. “She and her husband . . . you know he’s a lawyer . . . moved to one of those very nice older neighborhoods in Mount Pleasant.”
For a second my hands stopped making cookies. There were a lot of nice older neighborhoods in Mount Pleasant. The chances of it being the same as Hart’s was s
lim. I scooped, rolled, and dropped as I gave Mom a sideways glance.
“In fact, Susan said Caitlyn told her she saw you coming out of the house across the street from hers.”
A knot took shape in my stomach.
Hold it together, Bryson.
Scoop. “Yeah, a friend of mine lives there,” I said.
Roll. “Who?”
Drop. “No one you know.”
Scoop. “Someone from work?”
Roll. I sandwiched another noncommittal “Mmm-hmm” between a throat clear and cough.
Drop. “It’s nice you’re enjoying girl time with your new friend.”
My cheeks flushed with heat. I was definitely enjoying girl time with my new friend.
Scoop. “One curious thing, though. Caitlyn said she saw you coming out of the house around 7:30 in the morning.”
The heat from my cheeks spread to the rest of my body. I dropped my last Sand on the cookie sheet and washed my hands while I thought of a response.
Mom turned to face me. “Bryson?”
Drying my hands with the dish towel, I huffed nonchalantly. “Why does she have her big crooked nose . . .”
“Now you know she had that fixed.”
“. . . Smashed against the window first thing in the morning. I bet her new neighbors wouldn’t be too thrilled to know she was spying on them.”
“She was up with the baby and just happened to walk by the window when she saw you come out of that house. Why were you there that time of the day?”
Stalling, I tore the band out of my hair and redid my high ponytail.
“Bryson?”
“Fixing my hair, Mom.” I sounded a tad more annoyed than I meant to.
Then I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, unscrewed the top, and downed half of it. There was no way around this.
Mom wiped off her hands with the bottom of her apron. “Does it have anything to do with the glow you’ve been sporting around the last few times I’ve seen you?”
Dayum, she’s good.
I took a deep breath. “I . . . um . . . spent the . . . night at that . . . um . . . house with a friend. A very special friend from high school.”
I prayed Mom would get my implication and I wouldn’t have to actually say the words, I was in that house having passionate mind-blowing sex with my boyfriend.
Her light brown eyebrows rose as her green eyes widened mimicking me. “Oh . . . Oh . . .” Her eyes finally flashed with understanding. “Ooooh.”
“I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you and Dad but . . .”
She waved her hand in the air to stop me. “Bryson, the only thing your father and I have ever wanted for you and your brother is happiness. Honey, I know this whole Will thing has you all confused . . .”
“Well, it hasn’t been easy.”
“Your father and I fully support you . . .”
“Thanks.”
“And if this is what makes you happy right now then more power to you. You’re an adult and your lifestyle is your choice.”
“What?”
“We love Sophie . . .”
My face scrunched together. “Excuse me?”
“Although, it’s a bit of a surprise. I mean she’s always been boy crazy.”
“Mom.”
“But hey, you could do a lot worse.”
“Mom! I need to explain.”
She placed her hands on my shoulders. “Honey, I’m your mother. You don’t have to explain anything to me.”
“Oh but I think I do.”
“Deep down there was always a part of me that knew.”
“What did you know?” My voice squeaked so high with confusion I didn’t recognize it. This conversation had traveled way out into left field and I needed to get it back on track. “Mom, sit down, please.”
I sat across from her at the small round kitchen table. “Sophie and I are not a couple.”
“Oh, I just assumed when you said a very special friend from high school . . .”
Each of my facial features scrunched up—my eyebrows, my nose, my mouth. “So me being in a lesbian relationship with Sophie was your go-to thought?”
“Well, Bryson, I’m sorry. But you have to admit you never had a lot of friends.” She snapped.
“Okay, I’ll give you that one.” I paused for a second collecting my thoughts. “His name is Hart Mitchell. He was in my senior class. The day Will was admitted to rehab, I ran into Hart. He’s director of the physical therapy department.” I inhaled as much oxygen as my lungs would hold for this next part. “Hart and I struck up a friendship and as time went on it developed into something more.” My eyes misted. “What I have with Hart is different . . . I’m different. He’s helped me find my confidence and strength. And gave me the courage to go after my dream. I’m in love with him, Mom.”
I searched her eyes for a reaction.
“First your marriage and now this. Why do you feel the need to keep things about your life from me and your father?” Her tone was more hurt than mad.
I gazed down at my fidgeting fingers as I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I was scared you’d be disappointed in me for failing at my marriage and falling into a relationship before the divorce was final.”
Mom was silent for several seconds, then said, “Did I ever tell you about Eddie Marlow?” A soft chuckle slipped from her lips. “Everyone used to call him Pickles.”
“Why Pickles?”
She cocked one eyebrow. “Don’t ask. Eddie was the boy I dated before your father.”
This shocked me.
“But I thought you and Daddy were high school sweethearts.”
“I started dating Eddie when we were sophomores. Our parents were very close and really wanted us to be a couple. Your dad’s family moved to Charleston the summer before our junior year.” A wistful expression drifted over her face. “The first time I saw the new boy in the school cafeteria my heart stopped for a second. When it started back up the pounding was so intense I almost fell over. Long story short, your father and I became close friends, nothing more. He was very respectful of mine and Eddie’s relationship. We were almost inseparable. The day after graduation Eddie took me out to dinner and proposed.”
A slight gasp escaped me.
“As I watched him get down on one knee, I grabbed his arm and stopped him. After Eddie dropped me at home, I got in my car and went over to your dad’s. When he opened the door, neither of us said a word. We just looked into each other’s eyes and the rest, as they say, was history. Bryson, the who and when of falling in love is unpredictable. But when you find that special person, the being in love is inevitable. I am extremely proud of the woman you’ve become. Don’t ever doubt that.”
I stood behind Mom. Leaning forward, I wrapped my arms around her and rested my chin on her shoulder.
“I love you,” I whispered.
She patted my arm. “I love you. And this young man of yours better be damn grateful to have you in his life.”
“He tells me he is all the time.”
Mom cleared her throat and stood. “Well, these cookies aren’t going to bake themselves.”
We broke the emotional moment and got back to work.
I’d been on my feet most of the day, so after the last batch of cookies went into the oven, I sat down at the table for a few minutes. Dad came in, grabbed a soda from the fridge, and stole one of the chocolate-chip cookies cooling. Before he made his getaway, he walked up behind Mom, who was standing at the sink. Dad whispered something in her ear that caused her to giggle then gave her a peck on the cheek before going back to whatever sport he was watching on TV. As I watched my parents interact something dawned on me. Mom had been brave enough to marry her Hart.
Beaming, I bounced with excitement on the sofa as each item was pulled from the large cooler.
“Oh my god, Bryson!” Hart said with astonishment holding up the fishing reel. “It’s a Shimano Tekota with 6.1 gear ratio. This is gonna be awesome with my spinnerbaits, jerkbai
ts, and swimming jigs.”
“I have no idea what you just said but . . . Yay!”
“The guys are already jealous that I have the most incredible and beautiful woman in my life. When they find out you gave me this, it’s gonna send them over the edge.”
Hart looked like a little boy as he dug deeper into his gift. With our relationship on the down low we wouldn’t be able to spend Christmas Day together. I would be with my family and Hart would be with Colin’s. We decided to celebrate our first Christmas since I wanted Hart to be able to use his gift on the annual fishing trip he took with the guys.
My life was complicated at the moment. But earlier today while I prepared dinner, I looked at Hart as he built us a fire and Butter gnawing one of her presents, and felt blessed. The sound of Hart caused my entire body to heat up with the love.
“Hot damn! A Jig-and-Pig. It’s ugly but it catches fish like a son of a bitch.” He leaned forward. “Come here. Thank you. The gift and you are perfect.” His tongue licked across my bottom lip before sucking it into his mouth.
A moan escaped me as the kiss grew deeper. Our lips stayed connected while I shifted from sitting on the sofa to Hart’s lap. After several minutes Hart pulled away coming up for air.
“You haven’t opened your present yet,” he said, reaching over to grab the silver wrapped box with blue ribbon. “Merry Christmas, Bryson.”
I wasn’t one of those women who slowly peeled back wrapping paper. I tore into that baby with lightning speed. I lifted the lid to find the most beautiful sterling silver bracelet with two charms. The circular charm was surrounded by blue and green diamonds reminding me of mine and Hart’s eyes. The other charm was a sterling silver chef’s hat.
“Hart . . . it’s . . . it’s gorgeous.”
“So it meets with your approval, Mistress?” He grinned.
“I love it.”
“I’ll add to it each year until it’s full. Then I’ll start another one. And another and another.”
Tingles ran through me whenever Hart talked about a future with me.
the Dance Page 34
