“Damn it. He’s angry?”
“I don’t know if ‘angry’ quite describes it. Your mother told me to give him some time. He’ll reach out when he is ready, Bryson. Don’t let it stop the good work you are doing here. Not only are you going after the woman you love, but you are doing good for this community. Do you know how many kids are going to have toys for Christmas, when they otherwise wouldn’t have? And you brought a pillar of this community back up to snuff when you redid this mall and the gathering space. It will be well attended and people will be willing to open up their wallets…”
“I hope I can get her to open up her heart,” I said absently, looking over the final plans for my formal fundraiser in the newly decorated Royal Gatherings Hall. It was the same space we used for our high school Snow Ball all those years ago. I wanted to recreate it for Jamilya since her night was ruined back then, all while furthering her charity contributions to Toys for Tots.
She deserved the night and the recognition for a change.
I pick up my phone again and type a message to Jamilya. It was worth another shot. She’d speak to me eventually, I hoped.
I’d sent a good morning text earlier, and she hadn’t responded, though I could tell the message was received. Now, that it was nearly lunchtime, and Clara confirmed everything had been delivered, I would try again to make sure this woman knew what she meant to me.
Chapter Twenty
Jamilya
My phone vibrated on the coffee table in front of me. But, I was too busy looking at everything that had just been delivered to my door—all my favorites.
A steaming large latte, lunch that consisted of various meats and cheese and breads and spreads to make one hell of a sandwich, along with fruit and pasta salads. There were several boxes, wrapped in bright silver wrapping paper with red bows tied around each one. Attached to the largest box was an envelope with my name written in scroll.
I opened it and saw a letter, handwritten. It was from Bryson.
Jamilya,
I can’t settle for just one taste of you and have it stripped away because of some stupidity from our past. I may not remember everything that happened back then, but I’m committed to make new memories with you, if you will have me.
Please join me tonight, be my date for the formal Christmas Fundraiser at the newly renovated Royal Gathering Hall at Parkway Central Mall. Let’s recreate The Snow Ball together. I want to give you the night you deserved back then and one you deserve more than ever right now. I’ve sent over everything you need for tonight.
You are All I want for Christmas, Baby. I miss you. XO,
-Bryson
I put a hand to my mouth as a tear fell from my eyes and landed by his name on the paper. I look up at the packages still on my couch and go for the larger one first. Inside, amongst delicate tissue paper lay a candy apple red, formal dress. Atop it laid a decorative card. I opened it and read:
You’ve always look stunning in red.
I pulled it from the box and held it up to my body. The African Fashion dress was sleeveless with sequins and an oblique collar that would pee-a-boo my cleavage but leave the rest of my chest covered. The mermaid, maxi dress would hit the floor, but not before hugging every one of my curves on the way down. It was most certainly my style.
I reach for the second box, smaller but deep.
Inside, lay another note:
Every Cinderella deserves a glass slippers for the ball…
I pulled out one of two crystal covered, silver pointed toe high heels.
Simply stunning.
Tears brimmed my eyes as I reach for the third and final box, small and made clearly for jewlery.
A note laid inside—longer than the others:
Two Turtle Doves:
Symbolize love and faithfulness because they mate for life, work together to build nests and raise their young together. They are a symbol of love, friendship and devotion. They will stay together for a lifetime, which is part of the reason they are considered a sign of faithful and bonded love.
These words choke me up as I notice the sterling silver necklace in the box. I lifted it and see two turtle doves sitting side by side in an infinity circle with no beginning and no end, at the top of the circle is a heart shaped ruby the same shade as the dress.
I blink back tears and reach for my phone reading his text finally.
Did you get everything?
I pick up the latte and let it warm me before I respond.
Yes, thank you. Coffee is my soul elixir.
I wait knowing he wants a response regarding the gift in its entirety. The indication that he was typing popped on my screen.
I know that… you always liked it when we used to study together in high school.
You remember that…
I remember more than you think, Mily boo...
Chapter Twenty-One
Bryson
“Brys?”
“Hmm?” I asked, fidgeting with my tie. I look to see my assistant dressed in a hunter green formal dress. Her salt and pepper hair is coiffed atop her head.
“You look amazing, Clara,” I said fidgeting with my tux.
“Oh, Bryson, how handsome you look” My hand stills when I hear the familiar voice. I turn to see the woman who steps in the room next to Clara.
“Mom!”
“Merry Christmas, son!” She smiles and pulls me into a hug.
I look her over dressed in a navy blue gown looking beautiful as usual. “You came…”
She laughed “Of course. Where else would I be…”
“Just you?”
I watch as my mother gives Clara a glance.
“This formal you are doing here...the last one that was held here, you were…”
“Front page news, yea I know, Mom, but it’s time to change that for the better. We haven’t had this type of event at Royal Gatherings in years, and it’s time for me to redeem myself; time for me to give someone what she wants for Christmas…” My voice trails off as I think about Jamilya. I couldn’t wait to see her tonight.
“Would that someone be…Jamilya?” Clara’s voice is sing-song and full with mischief.
“Don’t start Clara.” I laugh.
“Has someone stolen my son’s heart?” My mom winks.
“Great, just great. You see what you did, Clara?” I wag a finger at the two older women as we all head out of my office for the Gathering Hall.
I look around to make sure everything is as it should. This night needs to be perfect. There is soft Christmas music playing over head and the town’s finest are walking around in formal wear.
“You clean up well, friend.” Julian laid a hand on my shoulder, coming up behind me with Marshall and Steven in tow. I look over at my best friends since high school, all dressed to impress, but none of us with a special someone, though. They’d all been with me over the years, through the good times and bad and helped bring this shit-show of a mall back to it’s full potential.
“Hey, guys. Everyone is looking great,” I said shaking hands or knuckle touching with each one.
“So, where is she?” Julian asked, sticking around while the others two guys wandered off to get a drink and some food.
I glanced at Jules. “Where is your girl?”
He scoffed. “Man, she is…” He shook his head. “Janiya Hawkins is a handful.”
“I believe I told you that. I warned you.” I laugh, grabbing a glass of champagne from the tray of a passing server.
“But, I… I think I want to take on that handful, man. She is…”
I turn and look at my friend. “She is what?” I ask coaxing him.
“Man, she is something else. I want to explore what could be there.”
I nod, knowing exactly what he is feeling because I think the same of her older sister. As if on queue both of our eyes look at the door as the Hawkins sisters enter the party—one wearing a champagne colored, knee-length, cocktail dress with black high heels, and her hair straighten
ed and swept to the side.
“God Damn,” Julian muttered.
But, I couldn’t see her or hear Julian after catching sight of Jamilya. The red dress I’d sent over, hugged her curves in all the right ways, over pert breasts and cinching at the waist and flaring on her rounded hips, before falling all the way to the ground. As she walked in, the Christmas lights reflected off the silver shoes at her feet. Her hair was pulled back at the nape of her neck in intricate curls. I closed the distance between us in no time flat, without thought, and I pulled her into my arms, needing to feel her warmth.
“You came,” I whispered into her ear, kissing her cheek and taking in the scent of roses and lemon I’d grown used to and missed when she’d been gone.
She returned my hug. “Everything looks amazing, Bryson. It really is a winter wonderland.”
I stepped back from her but kept her at arm's length.
“I wanted to recreate that night for you. I know it was ruined.”
I watched as she teared up. “That is very sweet of you. Thank you.”
I kissed her cheek, wrapping my arms around her waist, loving the feel of her in my arms.
“Bryson,” she breathed out as I moved the kiss from her cheek to her lips. She placed finger tips to her lips and looked around us. There were several people mingling about and a few sets of eyes were on us.
“Okay, maybe I was being a little aggressive.” I let out a slight chuckle, taking her hand and leading her away from the entrance to the hall.
“No, don’t apologize; it’s okay. I wanted…” She lowered her head.
“Don’t be ashamed to say you want this. I like that you want this.” I pull her behind one of the decorative Christmas trees, lit with twinkling white lights
She puts a hand to my chest. “I…missed you too, but we need to talk.”
I search her eyes and see she has grown serious.
“Of course—anything, anytime. Do you want to…” I indicate toward the exit.
She nodded.
Before we go, she turns back and looks at the room I transformed for her. “It really is perfect.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Jamilya
My skin is chilled as he escorts me out of the mall into the parking lot. So much of this seems familiar like that night I found him drunk with a bottle of Jameson to keep him warm.
Am I dreaming?
No, this is not a flashback of his hands on me warming me through and through. He is beside me, warmth emanating from him as we walk hand in hand. Here, we stand, another December, so very close to Christmas and the lot has a fresh coat of white snow, but we are under the awning of the employee parking area now.
I look down at my body, covered in the coat he‘d helped me into only moments before. But my body is warmed because I’m remembering how, he’d touched my body every damn where with his hands and his tongue... I look up at him, and his eyes flash with lust as if his thoughts are just as carnal. It doesn’t matter if he remembers everything about our first night in this parking lot because the memory of that night in my store over shadows it.
He walked me over to his car and corners me there—his warm body pressed against mine. He puts a hand to my cheek. “I remember some of that night. This seems so familiar—you and me in this lot, the night of my Masters graduation…am I right?”
I nod. “Yes, Bryson, and I was at your house the next day…”
He put a hand under my chin lifting my gaze to him. He lowers his head without pause, taking my lips in a slow kiss. I taste longing there, and it quiets me. I have to let this go. What he doesn’t remember doesn’t matter now when he is here giving me his attention I’ve always wanted.
“I remember I’ve always wanted to do that...kiss your sweet lips, both pair.” He looks down and back up at me, so there is no question what pair he is referring to. “I hope to get that opportunity again.”
My face heats at thoughts of him hovered over my naked form in all his nude glory. He wasn’t overly muscled but he definitely worked out. His dark hair was sticking up in various spots from my fingers running through it when he’d buried his face between my legs.
God this man made me pass out when his tongue was moving over my sex, diving in and out of me. I’d never passed out from someone going down on me before. But he’d taken me there; leave it to Bryson to be the one to do it.
“Are you okay, Milly boo?” he asked, his words soft and a small, devilish grin appeared on his face, like it did when we were teens. He knew good and well what he’d done to my body and how it was replaying in my mind.
“I’m sorry; I know you don’t like being called that.”
“You are the only one that gets a pass calling me ‘Milly.’” I leaned in as he brought his face to mine.
“Your facial expression gives you away. Are you thinking about our night together in your store?”
My eyes widened, answering his question and he grinned.
“Yes, I was, and I hope you get the opportunity to try that again too.”
“I told you I would.” I feel him smile against my lips.
“Took you long enough,” I breathe. “It’s been ten, long years…”
He feigned indignation. “I told you I’d be good enough for you one day. It took me ten years to get there. I wasn’t ready for you then.”
“You are now—”
He caught my rebuttal, nibbling at my lower lip.
I reached around his waist for support as he cradled my head and kissed me breathless.
“Come back to my place. Let me take care of that want a little more. I can drive us and bring you back in the morning.”
“What about the fundraiser?” I laugh as he reached for his car door.
“Fuck it.”
“You are hilarious.” I giggle like a schoolgirl when he nips my ear.
“Wait, what is that?” he paused.
We both stop when we hear voices from somewhere in the lot. We turned to see Bryson’s parents, his assistant Clara and none other than Tanya of all people in a heated discussion.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Bryson
“What the…my father is actually here,” I mumbled.
“You didn’t think he was coming?” Jamilya asked.
“I just assumed he wasn’t coming. My mother said...never mind, come on, let’s go over there.”
“No. That is not my place.”
I turn to look at her, feet planted firmly and not budging, “I want you by my side, Jamilya.” I look at her in question.
“I told you I came to your house the day after the parking lot incident, ten years ago.”
I don’t recall her being at my house...but that whole night and the next day were a blur. Jameson will do that to you. She continued talking, “I...stopped by to make sure you got home okay. Your father opened the door.”
“Oh, yes, I do remember the doorbell ringing that morning. It was right after my father told Tanya and me, we would be going into the family business immediately.”
“Yea, well, when he came to the door, he recognized me as working at the newspaper and thought I was there for a story. He told me to get the hell away from his house. That is the last time I saw him or you. And, if Tanya is over there, telling him what she told you a few weeks ago, he is not going to want to see me now, either.”
I watched her pull her red dress up, so it wouldn’t drag in the snow, and turn from me, but not before I could see the onslaught of tears that were from joy earlier, turning to hurt and sadness yet again. This is not at all how I planned for this evening to turn out, and it was because of Tanya, again!
“There she is with him now!” I hear Tanya say, her voice closer now.
I feel anger bubbling in my system as I spin around. I would not let her do this again—ruin this evening I planned for the woman that was stealing my heart. Before I could say something, Jamilya turned to face the other woman.
“No, Tanya! You won’t ruin another Christmas for me�
��”
“No one ruined anything for you! And, Bryson, I just did what your parents asked me to—”
“No one asked you to do this, Tanya.”
We all turn as my mother, father, Clara and her husband Thomas strolled up in their formal wear.
“Dad...you actually came,” I said, reaching out to shake hands with my father.
“Of course, Son. I wouldn’t miss seeing your success and what you’ve done here.” He looked at Jamilya and raised a questioning brow back at me.
Clara stepped forward. “You look lovely, dear,” she said patting Jamilya’s arm. “Don’t let her ruin anything for you.” Clara threw a glance over at Tanya and then back at me with a warm smile. “Have fun, kids.”
I knew I’d seen her down in the shop a few times, whispering and giggling with Jamilya’s sister. Something told me she conspired with Niya and was the reason I’d become Jamilya’s #SexySanta. I can’t say I was mad that she did a little meddling. It set me up for a potential relationship with an amazing woman. The older woman winked at me and let her husband escort her out through the snow and back into the mall.
My mother spoke up. “Like my husband said, Tanya, no one asked you to interfere in our son’s life like this.”
“But, Mr. Tillerman said—”
“No, Tanya. I asked you to assist my son with the day-to-day dealings of this mall project and you lied to us, making us think this woman was the one who brought reproach on our family name, when in actuality, it was you! I spoke with Julian Bower to gain some clarity on that night’s activities, and it appears you are the one that called the newspaper!”
All I Want for Christmas Page 12
