by Jiffy Kate
“How long’s this thing between y’all gonna go on? You know if your feud interrupts Christmas, heads will roll.” He says each of those last words with precision. “Your mama ain’t playin’ when it comes to Jesus’ birthday.”
“I know.”
“Fix it,” he says with a curt nod.
“I’ll try,” I tell him, making no promises, because I’m sticking to my guns on this one. I’m not in the wrong. Deacon is. So, I won’t be groveling or apologizing.
My dad’s hand comes down on my shoulder and I brace myself for some sort of life lecture or advice, but about that same time arguing erupts from the side of the house. We both pause, looking at each other.
“Tucker?” my dad asks, quirking his head to try to hear the hushed yelling.
I frown in confusion, wondering who the hell he could be fighting with this early in the day. And on Thanksgiving to boot. Then a female voice becomes more distinct and I wonder no more.
“That fucker,” I mutter, handing a pair of tongs to my dad as I stomp my way around the side of the house. “Can you two not get along for one day? Shit, y’all haven’t seen each other in months. What the hell do you have to argue about already?”
Both of their heads snap up in surprise and something else, panic? I don’t know. I don’t get them. They’re polar opposites. But also the same in weird ways, like being overly protective of people they’re close to and their shitty taste in music. From the get go, they’ve been like oil and water . . . better yet, hydrogen and oxygen. They’re some atomic bomb bullshit.
Piper glares at Tucker, smoothing her hair over her shoulder.
The differences are even more glaring—her perfectly coiffed dark hair and his shaggy blonde; her prim and proper attire and his I’m in a band and don’t give a fuck look; her professional career and his go where the four winds take him lifestyle.
“Your best friend,” Piper sneers, brushing past me, delivering the line like it’s an insult.
Tucker chuckles, pulling his hair back into a ponytail to get it off his face. I watch him as he watches her, shaking his head in disbelief.
“What am I missing here?” I ask, feeling truly confused.
“Piper and the stick up her ass.”
“Fuck you, Tucker,” she hisses, stomping up the stairs of the porch.
“You better not let Mama A hear you say that,” he teases. But I agree with him, nodding my head, because I’ve already been busted for that today.
She growls her displeasure before walking through the front door.
“What was that all about?” I ask, turning to Tucker, pointing over my shoulder.
He puts on a face of indifference and shrugs his shoulders. “Fuck if I know, man. Women.”
I squint my eyes at him, trying to see through the bullshit, but I don’t know what I’m looking for. I have no idea what’s going on with Tucker. He’s been acting weird since he got home.
We go about the rest of the afternoon without incident. My dad and I successfully fry the turkey without burning anything down and we dispose of the charred carcass of the test turkey so he doesn’t have to hear shit from anybody.
My mama, Dani, and Cami take over in the kitchen, whipping up the best looking side dishes I’ve ever seen. Carter is super proud of his apple pie. Mama helped him cut out a “C” for the center. He’s trying to claim it for himself, but I got news for the kid, at least a slice of that is going in my belly. Tucker and Piper manage to not kill each other but that didn’t keep them from exchanging death glares every time they crossed paths.
After Clay and Kay show up, we all start taking our seats at the long table. It’s dressed to the nines and full of the best food this side of the Mississippi. The only thing missing is Deacon. His seat between Cami and Kay is empty. I can’t help looking around to see if anyone’s going to say anything. Kay gives Cami a questioning look, but not a word is said. Not coming to a family dinner is one thing, but not showing up to a holiday is a federal offense. Strangely, everyone else goes about their business like nothing’s amiss.
When we’re all in our places, Mama stretches out her hand and I take it, offering mine to Dani, and so on, until we’re all holding hands, ready to say grace. Just as everyone bows their heads, the front door opens and we hear footsteps in the foyer. There’s only one person it could be, but nobody says a word. A few seconds later, Deacon slides into his spot by Cami. I chance a glance up at him, but he doesn’t look over at me. He just takes Cami’s hand and kisses her cheek.
My mama doesn’t miss a beat as she begins to say grace, thanking God for all of her blessings. She makes sure to mention all of her children being in attendance, which is Deacon’s notice that he better be glad he showed up.
“HEY, BABY! WHERE ARE YOU?” I holler out to Dani as I close the door to the apartment because I’m too impatient to look for her. Impatient, excited, what the hell ever, I just need to see her.
“I just got out of the shower,” she yells back to me.
Hallelujah, this day just gets better and better.
I jog down the hallway to the bathroom, hoping to catch her still naked. When I stick my head into the room, I can see she’s not completely naked but only has a towel wrapped around her amazing body.
That piece of terrycloth doesn’t stand a chance.
But first things first.
“Hey, darlin’.” I snake my arms around Dani’s waist and plant kisses on her bare shoulder, making my way up the column of her neck and landing just under her ear. As usual, she swats at me.
“Dammit, Micah. I just shaved my legs. You know I get goosebumps when you kiss me there and now, all my hard work is ruined.” Dani claims the goosebumps cause the hair on her legs to immediately grow back, but I call bullshit. Besides, I don’t give two shits how hairy she is.
“And you know that you could be as hairy as a Sasquatch and I still wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off you.” I gently bite her earlobe while my hands dip lower, down between her legs where she is completely smooth. No goosebumps whatsoever.
“Micah.” My name comes out of her mouth as a sigh and I know I’m forgiven. I’m also extremely hard.
“Fuck, Dani. I came in here all excited to share my good news and you got me all distracted and horny.” I grind my erection against her ass to prove my point.
Dani giggles and slips out of my grasp before grabbing my hand and leading me to the bedroom.
“Good news first, then sexy times,” she demands.
Normally, I wouldn’t agree to those terms but I really am excited about my news and I always share my good news with Dani first.
“Fine, but you’re gonna have to cover yourself up so I won’t get distracted again.”
She laughs but agrees and climbs under the covers. A second later and I’m changing my mind.
“Fuck that.” I pull the blanket off her and cover her with my body instead. I love being nestled between her legs like this, even if we’re not getting frisky. It’s both comforting and arousing, nothing like I’ve ever experienced with another woman. Nothing that I’ve ever wanted to experience with another woman. Dani is my home. My sexy as fuck home.
“So, tell me this good news. It must be something special, if you’re willing to put off having sex.”
I reach back into my jeans pocket and pull out my phone. Opening up my camera app, I show Dani a graphic that reads “Lagniappe . . . for when you want a little something extra.”
She smiles but then her face morphs into a look that’s a little bit studious and a little bit confusion.
“Well, what do you think?” I ask. Patience has never been my strong suit.
Dani pauses a bit longer before answering. “I love the graphic. It’s really eye-catching and trendy and clever, but—”
“But?”
“But, I don’t know what it says,” she admits with a laugh and I love the way her entire body vibrates beneath me.
I can’t help but grin at her. “Woman, I’m gonn
a make a Cajun outta you, even if it kills me.”
“Shut up,” she squeals, punching me in the arm, but she knows I’m not going to. I love giving her a hard time, especially about stuff like this.
“This is the logo for the new restaurant. Lagniappe is the Cajun word for something extra, a bonus, if you will. All our food will be just as delicious as it is at Grinders, similar style, but every plate gets something additional. Whether it’s bacon on your grilled cheese sandwich, andouille sausage in your mac and cheese, or a fried egg with your burger. Even our desserts come with freshly made whipped cream. And the best part: every specialty drink from the bar comes with a sidecar of liquor.” I raise my eyebrows, trying hard to contain my excitement, but failing. “It’s awesome, right?”
“That all sounds amazing,” she says with another laugh, this time out of amusement for me. The look of pride on her face is what I love the most. It’s something I’ve grown to crave. “But,” she continues, growing serious again, “how do you say that word again? I mean, I can’t be the only person who doesn’t know. What about tourists who may want to visit?”
“Alex and I talked about that.” I don’t miss the way Dani’s face tenses at the mention of Alex’s name. It’s reflects how I feel when I have to deal with my business partner, but it’s much cuter when Dani does it. “We both feel that it’s a common enough word that most people will either know how to pronounce it or at least, know what it means. If they don’t, they can ask.”
“Say the word again.”
“Lagniappe.”
That studious-slash-confused expression is back on her face as she concentrates on my mouth.
I speak slower this time and sound it out for her. “Lan. N’yap.”
“Land. Yap.”
“No, listen. Lan. N’yap. There’s no ‘d’ sound in there. Think about how it sounds to say New York without the ‘ew’ part. Smush the ‘n’ and ‘y’ sounds together.”
She repeats a n’ya sound a few times before she puts it all together and tries again.
“Lagniappe.” When she says it correctly, she looks quite proud of herself and I can’t help but kiss her cheesy grin.
“That’s it. Good job, baby.”
“I really do love the concept of the restaurant, Micah. I think it’s very creative and the food sounds amazing. It’s all really coming together nicely.”
I move my body down hers a little so I can lay my head on her stomach and her fingers immediately begin running through my hair.
“Alex thinks we’ll lose money,” I admit.
“What? Why?”
Sighing deeply, I close my eyes, letting Dani’s magic fingers take away the stress of the day as I replay the last time I spoke with Alex. Argued, is more like it. I don’t like rehashing this kind of stuff with Dani but I know I need to share this stuff with her—the good and the bad. That’s part of what relationships are all about, or so my mama says. And I’m trying to be better at it.
“I refuse to charge extra for the lagniappe.”
“Okay . . .”
I reluctantly move my head to where I can look at Dani’s face, making her fingers fall out of my hair and next to her legs.
“The whole point of the restaurant—the name, the concept, everything—is so the customers—meaning, everyone—get something extra with their order. Not just those who are willing to pay more for them. Why would I create an eating experience based on the extras you get but then say you can only get them if you pay for it? I’m not doin’ that. You get the bonus stuff and the original price doesn’t change, end of story.”
Dani cradles my face with her hands. “I love you, you know that?”
I give her a small nod in response.
“And one of the things I love most about you is how passionate you are, especially when it comes to what you love. You’re such a great guy, Micah, and you’re heart is in the right place. If you don’t want to up the price, then don’t.”
“Oh, I won’t, believe me. I told Alex I wasn’t changin’ my mind and that she could fuck off if she didn’t like it.”
“You really said that?” Dani asks with a mixture of surprise and giddiness in her voice.
“Of course, I did. She’s a business partner that helped me secure a location. It’s my restaurant, my vision, and she’s not the boss of me.”
“Micah Landry, you are so hot when you stand your ground like that.”
“Oh, yeah? Does this mean, we can stop talkin’ and get to fuckin’?”
When I watch Dani throw her head back in laughter, an urge to propose overcomes me. Again. It’s happening more and more here lately, but she’d probably kill me for asking her to marry her right after I asked if we could fuck. I just love her so damn much and I want to make her mine, in all the ways possible, but I have to control my urges and come up with a plan. And I need to do it soon.
“Yes, Micah, please fuck me.” She’s teasing but I can tell she’s also turned on. It’s in the way her hazel eyes are just a bit dazed and in the way she licks her bottom lip before sinking her teeth into it, trying to hide her smile.
I lean back just far enough to slip my hand into the top of her towel and pull the terrycloth fabric open, exposing her soft, glorious skin. Our bodies are contradictions to each other. She’s the tender to my rough, the sweet to my salty, the creamy peach to my tan, but I swear, that’s why we were made for each other. Every piece fits together perfectly as if they’re never meant to part, just like Dani and me.
“You don’t have to beg, baby. I’ll fuck you as much as you want, that’s a promise.”
After keeping my promise to Dani, a couple of times, you’d think I’d be sleeping like a baby, but no. My mind doesn’t care the sun isn’t up yet; technically, it’s morning so that means it’s time to work.
I take one last look at Dani while she sleeps before crawling out of bed and walking into the kitchen. I was afraid that things were starting to feel strained between us but last night was perfect. It felt like we reconnected not just physically but emotionally, too. I know she’s still upset Deacon and I aren’t speaking but I don’t know what to do about that. I’m too far into this new restaurant to turn back now, even if I wanted to, which I don’t.
After coming up with a name and seeing what Lagniappe can be, I’m more excited than ever.
But, damn, I didn’t realize how stressful this would be without Deacon. I guess I didn’t fully understand everything he took care of without my help and that includes building Pockets from the ground up. Because I already had a location, getting Lagniappe started shouldn’t be as difficult as it has been, but when you figure in working with Alex, it’s a whole other ball game.
That woman drives me fucking crazy. I’m gonna have to eventually buy her out, because if I don’t, I’m gonna lose my damn mind.
Later, while I’m washing out the coffee pot, I hear my phone vibrate.
Alex. Speak of the fucking devil.
“It’s four o’clock in the morning, Alex. What the hell do you want?” I bark at her when I answer the call.
“Someone’s not a morning person,” she replies. “You didn’t have to answer the phone, you know. I would’ve left a voice message but since you answered, I have some things we need to discuss.”
Oh, yeah, a buyout is a must. I just have to figure out where to get the money. Fast.
After a grueling thirty minute phone call discussing menu fonts and tablecloth colors, I hang up the phone and bang my head on the table a few times.
“You okay?” Dani is standing in the living room, watching me with a concerned look on her face.
“Hey, baby. Yeah, I’m fine. I couldn’t sleep. Did I wake you up?”
“No, but your cold side of the bed did.” She gives me a small smile as she steps into the kitchen and starts making a fresh pot of coffee. I walk to her and pull her into my chest, kissing the top of her head.
“I’m sorry. One of these days I’ll be able to sleep more than four hours.”
“I thought I heard you talking. Were you on the phone?”
“Yeah, Alex called.”
“Wow, that woman really has no boundaries, does she?”
I frown when she pulls away from me, even if it’s only to fix her coffee.
“No, she doesn’t, unfortunately. I’ve been thinking a lot about buying her out.”
That information perks her up.
“Really? I mean, I think it would be great. You could talk to Deke and the two of you could buy Alex out and run the new place together. It would be perfect.”
“Dani, I’ve tried talkin’ to my brother and he’s not listenin’.”
“Try harder. I’ve seen you when you put your mind to something. You don’t give up. So, why are you giving up this easily on Deacon?”
It’s always about Deacon.
I try to remain calm, even though she’s currently pushing all of my buttons. “There’s no way in hell he’d help me with this, so I’m not askin’. This is my deal. Not his. So, I’ll do it on my own.” Between the lack of sleep, Alex, and now this, I’m finding it hard to rein in my temper.
“You two are too stubborn for your own good, I swear,” she fumes. “What’s it going to take for both of you to get your heads out of your asses and make up? I can’t believe you’re letting a restaurant—no, your fucking pride—break up your family. I’m just at a loss right now.”
“Dammit, Dani, I don’t want to fight about this anymore. What’s goin’ on between me and Deacon doesn’t have anything to do with you! You’re my girlfriend, not his, so either you support me or you don’t.”
I grab my phone and keys and head for the door. I don’t know how we went from perfect one minute to fucked up the next, but I have to leave before it gets any worse.
“Where are you going? We’re not done talking, Micah.”
“I can’t talk to you about this shit anymore. I’m going to work.”
I slam the door and stomp my way to my truck, revving the engine way too loud this early in the morning, but I don’t care.
Right now, I need to clear my head and figure out what the hell just happened.
