No Reservations

by Natalia Banks

  “Settle it,” I say and the guy nods. “Sorry for dragging you out here on a holiday,” I say and he shrugs.

  “You saved my ass last year. Consider us even,” he says, a smile on his face. “Until I need another favor.”

  “You know you can call me,” I say.

  “It’s done. Anything else?” he asks, looking up at me. I shake my head at him. That’s all I really needed.

  “Go home. Enjoy your holiday,” I say and he rises to his feet, shutting down the computer as he does so. Next, I call up Pike. He answers on the second ring.

  “Yeah?” he asks, his voice short and sharp.

  “Did you draft up those documents for me?” I ask and he’s quick to affirm he did. “Fax ‘em my way,” I say, walking into my office. The shrill sound of the fax fills the room and I speak quickly. “I’ll wire you a bonus for working on the holiday. Thanks, man.”

  He grunts. “No need to pay me extra for doing my job.”

  “Consider it a bonus, then,” I say as I pick up the warm papers. Hanging up the phone, I head to my car to take the papers to Mr. Handberg. I told him I’d do it and now seems like a great time to hand him the papers.

  I’m careful to drive safe and slow. I don’t want to miss Cindy today. I’m not going to risk life and limb by driving like an idiot on the slippery, slushy roads. I pull up in front of her father’s house and park. He’s quick to come to the door, a wide smile on his face.

  I grab the papers and the gift I’d gotten for him. Stepping out of the car, I walk up to him and offer the papers. “Merry Christmas, Mr. Handberg,” I say as he takes the papers and opens them. As he reads, a giant smile crosses his lips and he looks up at me.

  “Thank you,” he says and I hand him the bag before he can stop me.

  He peeks inside and I see his face light up as he studies the knife set. “Damascus?” he asks simply and I nod.

  “You must have spent thousands on this,” he says, and I hear a hint of worry in his voice.

  “I want only the best in my kitchens,” I say, keeping my tone harsh and he looks up at me with respect, catching the double meaning in my voice. He gives me a bow and I smile and return the gesture.

  “I have something for you as well, he says, returning and ushering me into his home. It’s considerably warmer and that small detail lifts my soul. He places the bag on his chair and gives it a quick, loving stroke that makes me smile before he hurries off to his room.

  He comes out holding a little box.

  “I don’t know how serious you are,” he says, his eyes worried as they meet mine. I study the box, feeling my gut tighten. “But this was her grandmother’s. Mona made me promise I’d pass it down to her when the time was right.” He’s looking me in the face and I meet his stare. “It feels like the right time,” he says softly and I feel my heart swell in my chest.

  He opens the box, his voice stammering as he continues to speak. “I know you could get her so much better-”

  I lift a hand. “This has more value than all my money. Sentiment can’t be bought,” I say and I see a smile brighten his face.

  “You’re a wise man,” he says as I look at the beautiful ring. It’s a good-sized diamond in the center, easily a carat. Around the outside of it like petals of a flower are smaller diamonds. The little ones give the center one the effect of floating that’s breathtaking.

  “She’ll love it,” I say as he closes it and offers me the box.

  But before he lets me take it, he pulls it back a little and I look at him. “Promise me you’ll always put her needs before your own,” he says.

  I dip my head. “Her needs are more important than mine. She’ll never want for anything, and I don’t mean money. I mean love, support, joy, things money can’t buy.”

  His face clears up and he places the box in my hand. “Thank you,” he says, his hand curling my fingers closed around the box. “Take good care of her. She’s all I’ve got left in this world.”

  I can echo that statement. Because if I lost all my money, the empire I’d built, it wouldn’t hurt nearly so much as the mere thought of losing her.

  “You did a wonderful job. She’s an amazing woman,” I say and he smiles.

  “Why are you still here?” he asks and I nod and hurry toward the door.

  “Thank you,” I say and he gives me a salute as I close the door. I hurry back to the car, my mind reeling with all the information I’d just gotten.

  When I finally have my head on straight, I pull away from the curb, looking at the box on the dash. Everything is going to change. And I can’t wait.

  But right now, the most beautiful woman I know is likely waiting for me. And I sure as hell don’t want to keep her waiting. Especially not when I sent her into the frenzy of sharks all by herself.

  Chapter 23

  Cindy

  “Thank you,” I tell the nice guy who’d drove me to the event. He nods, his face alight with his smile. He’s a kind older man who’d told me he’s known Gavin since he was a teenager. I carefully walk up the steps to the glittering, incredible building. It’s the historical great hall that’s also the library.

  Now it’s lit with beautiful spotlights in gold. Two men stand before the front doors and nod at me as I walk up. They open the doors for me and I walk in with a softly spoken thank you to both of them.

  Inside, the place is warm and beautiful. Women wear dresses in rich jewel tones. Men are dressed in dark suits. Everyone seems to have a drink in hand and they’re gathered in little groups of twos and threes.

  A waiter walks by and pushes a drink into my hand and I thank him as he fades into the crowd. Holding the drink but not drinking it, I wander, looking not at people, but the library. The place is huge and beautiful. Overhead the glass dome glitters beautifully. I see the few flakes of snow still falling and melting as they hit the glass.

  “Pretty, huh?”

  I glance over at the owner of the voice, a guy about my age looking dashing in a charcoal suit.

  “Yes,” I say softly, looking up again.

  “I don’t believe we’ve met,” he says, thrusting his hand at me.

  I hesitate, then take it. “Carter Rowe,” he says and I nod, giving him a smile that’s considerably warmer than I feel. Something about him is ringing alarm bells in my mind.

  “Pleased to meet you,” I say, releasing his hand and turning my face heavenward again.

  “I’ve always loved this place,” he says, “But I hate these events. Too many stuffed suits, you know?”

  I fix a stare on him. “Then why come?” I ask flatly and he tries to disguise a flash of shock at my words. He’s quick to recover and so smooth, I feel slimy.

  “To help. I like to do the right thing, and this raises money for people who need it most.” He’s studying my face and I can’t help but feels he’s searching for the right words to get in my pants. It’s making me uncomfortable.

  “Excuse me,” I say before walking toward the ladies room. Once inside the beautiful, marble room, I study myself in the mirror. I’ve been hit on before. But that felt… predatory. I don’t like that guy. Not at all. So I’ll just stay away from him.

  After a few deep breaths, I head back out and begin to study the art work that’s out for auction. It’s all beautiful, but I’m drawn to a particular work, something that’s beautiful. It reminds me of many tree trunks done in many hues of deep blue with lighter colors shining like sun rays between the trunks.

  I’ve never been a huge fan of modern abstract art, but this makes me feel something. Alone, perhaps, or never alone. Like there’s plenty out there to find, if I look hard enough. That beyond the darkness, there’s light shining, ready to bring me out of the shadows and into the light.

  “Beautiful, isn’t it?” The woman to my left is older, beautiful, and as out of place as I feel. Her dress is a deep black without adornment. Around her neck is a rather plain necklace that holds a single small blue teardrop shaped gem.

  “Yes,�
� I breathe, feeling like this is someone I can talk to, to identify with. “This one makes me feel alive,” I say, feeling stupid, yet honest all at once. It’s an interesting mix.

  “I feel it too,” she says, taking a sip of her drink. I wonder where I’d put mine. Had I left my glass in the bathroom? Oops.

  A hand finds my waist and I flinch as the same guy from before stands next to me. “There you are,” he says and I take a step away from him. As if she sees what’s going on, the other woman steps closer.

  “Carter, darling,” she says, “do please get me another drink,” she presses her glass into his hands and pats his head like an affectionate grandmother.

  He walks off, grumbling under his breath.

  “He’s engaged,” she says and I blink.

  “I’m not interested,” I say honestly and she bursts out laughing. The bellowing sound booms around the room and other people turn to look at us as she quiets down.

  “Oh, I like you,” she says. She offers me her hand. “Name’s Molly. Molly Byrn.”

  “Pleasure,” I say “Cindy Handberg.”

  Carter returns with her drink and is quick to pin me with his attention again. “So, shall we go someone quieter, Ms…?” he asks before frowning. “I didn’t get your name.”

  “I didn’t give it,” I say sweetly and pull my arm from his grasp. “So, Molly,” I say. “I love your necklace. What is its story?” I ask and she seems surprised as her fingers find the gem.

  I explain myself as she studies me. “It’s just, I know everyone here could afford the best of the best. You chose that for a reason. And I’m rudely curious.” I soften my words with a smile and she smiles back at me.

  “It was a gift from my late husband,” she says gently and I feel for her.

  “I’m sorry for your loss,” I say and she laughs.

  “I’m not. He was an asshole. A real jerk. But he was my jerk.” Her voice is sad, and I want to pull her into a hug.

  “Well, you look beautiful. I hope you enjoy yourself tonight,” I say before excusing myself.

  “You’re beautiful too,” she says, pulling me into a hug. “Be careful,” she says and I nod. I guess Carter gives her the same weird vibe he gives me.

  I walk toward the balcony and find the snow is drifting down and the day is slipping into the night. Where is Rossi?

  “I don’t appreciate how you spoke to me back there.”

  My hackles rise and I turn to face Carter.

  “I don’t’ appreciate that you refuse to be polite and leave me alone. I’ve given you every indication that I’m not interested.”

  He snarls at me, the expression ugly and a bit frightening.

  My heart pounds in my chest and I wonder what he’s willing to do. The snow has driven everyone else inside and we’re alone out here. I eye the exits, but there’s no escape as he stalks toward me.

  Chapter 24

  Gavin

  I hear Cindy on the balcony and hurry inside. I push past people trying to stop me and open the double doors with a flood of people on my heels. I see Cindy pressed back on the balcony, shying away from Carter and I see red.

  I stalk over and grab his collar. In an instant he’s hanging over the edge of the balcony, his hands on my wrist, his eyes terrified and his voice pleading with me not to hurt him.

  But all I hear is Cindy.

  “Gavin!” She sounds scared. “Gavin, I’m okay. Don’t hurt him.”

  Don’t hurt him.

  For a second I consider letting go.

  But she’d asked me not to.

  I wrench him up over the railing and throw him to the ground as Cindy throws herself into my arms. Wrapping her up in a tight hug, I glare at the world thinking that I could destroy each and every one of them if they hurt her.

  She lifts her head and cradles my face in both her hands as two guys grab Carter and escort him off the premises. Molly meets my eyes, an approving look on her face and I wonder what she did. I look down into Cindy’s big blue eyes, seeing her tawny hair all wound up pretty and her make-up perfect on her beautiful face.

  “I love you,” she whispers and I kiss her. Finally able to let her go, I release her as the party begins to realize the show’s over and drifts out of the cold back inside the building. Planting both hands on her belly, I pull her back against my body.

  “You’re mine,” I growl in her ear and she nods.

  “She told him off,” Molly’s voice is unmistakable. I glance at her and nod. I don’t doubt it one bit. “She’s a good woman,” Molly says and I feel Cindy’s cheeks blaze red hot. “Keep this one,” she says before she too goes back inside.

  Molly is a wise woman.

  Cindy leads me back to the balcony ledge and I follow. “Merry Christmas,” she says and produces a chain. On it there’s a resin pendant no bigger than the tip of my thumb. Inside the resin is a tomato leaf preserved beautifully green and pristine.

  “It’s not much,” she says, sounding sad as I look at the thing.

  And I kiss her, cutting off whatever else she might want to say. “It’s perfect,” I say, placing the chain over my head. Tucking it down under my shit, I feel it settle next to my heart and know that’s where it belongs. Where she belongs.

  “Thank you,” I say. Her eyes are alight and joyous.

  “You have to wait until later for your gift,” I say and she seems shocked.

  “I thought this was my gift,” She says, gesturing to the necklace and dress. I shake my head, thinking again that she’s so adorable. I take her hand and lead her inside. Throngs of people surge and flow around us, but all I can focus on is her as the piano player begins to warm up and tinkle away some Christmas carols.

  Taking her in my arms, I hold her tight. My heart skips a beat as her arms circle my shoulders and she holds me close. With her body pressed to mine, I rock her back and forth, dancing before this entire room of people.

  No one else is dancing, but I don’t give two shits what everyone else is doing.

  I’m doing what I want to be doing right now.

  Well, maybe not exactly what I want to be doing. But as close as I can get here in public. I catch Molly’s eyes from across the room and she gestures up. I look up and see the mistletoe and begin to work Cindy toward it. Giving Molly a nod and thumbs up behind Cindy’s back, I see the sparkle in her eyes.

  The piano picks up and begins to play Carol of the Bells and Cindy lifts her head to talk to me. “This is my favorite Christmas song,” she whispers, and I file the information away. After all, I’m hoping for many more holidays with her. All of them she has, to be precise.

  “I love you,” I whisper in her ear as we continue our slow dancing while the rest of the event flows around us.

  “I love you more,” she says, her grip tightening on my shoulders.

  I glance up, having successfully worked her under the mistletoe. “Marry me,” I say.

  “What?” she asks, pulling back to look up at me. Her eyes are wide, excited, and perhaps a bit confused. I take the box out of my pocket and drop to one knee as the room goes silent.

  “Cindy, I knew you were the one from the moment I met you. I was just too stubborn a jackass to admit it.”

  Scattered laughter punctuates my words, but the smile on her face is the only one that matters.

  “Well,” I continue, “I’m admitting it now. I love you. Will you give me the biggest Christmas gift there is and marry me?”

  She hesitates and I feel my heart stumble in my chest. She couldn’t possibly say no. Her eyes are locked on my face. “I love you,” She says, leaning in to kiss me.

  “That’s not- you’re supposed to-” I say and somewhere in the room, Molly laughs as Cindy giggles.

  “Sorry, I mean yes!” Cindy says and I open the box. She gasps. “Grandma’s ring!” She says, looking at me. “Does that mean…?”

  I nod. “Your father gives his blessing.”

  She squeals, throwing her arms around me and giving me a face ful
l of her breasts before pulling back. I take out the ring and slide it on her finger as I rise up to my feet. She’s all smiles as everyone around us begins to applaud and say their congratulations.

  But I don’t give a damn about all that.

  I point up and she looks at the ceiling.

  At the mistletoe.

  Her grin widens and I pull her in for a deep kiss.

  Epilogue

  Cindy

  “I think Weston is awake,” I say and Gavin is quick to get out of bed. I follow him into our son’s room. It’s amazing to think that it’s been five years since the day Gavin asked me to marry him.

  And many things have changed, but some haven’t.

  Sure, we have a son, but our love hasn’t flickered a bit. Nope, if anything, it’s grown deeper, stronger, and better over the years.

  And now, it’s Christmas again and the house we both live in is decorated with lights and trees, warmth and love. I couldn’t be happier. In Weston’s room, our little one year old is talking happily and kicking his feet.

  Gavin scoops him up and makes an airplane noise and swoops him around the room really quick. The sound of toddler laughter fills my ears and I wonder if anything can possibly make my life better.

  The sudden sensation that I’m going to be sick rears up and I head into the bathroom. Pulling the test I’d picked up for just this reason out of its hiding spot, I unwrap the foil package. Sheesh, even though I’ve done this before, it’s still gross. But Gavin has no idea.

  I’m late. About three weeks late, to be exact.

  I pull the cap off and pee on the stick, hoping beyond hope that I can give him the best gift ever; another child. I want a girl this time, but I’m not picky. I’ll love them with all my heart no matter what. I put the cap back on and set the test on the counter.