One Night: A Christmas Romance (The Lakeland Boys Book 2)

by G. L. Snodgrass

  “What?” I asked. It seemed to have become my go to word. I could hear him just fine. I just didn’t understand.

  “What?” Laura said. More demanding this time.

  “If you want to of course?” Nick said with that silly grin. “We can figure out which one over dinner. I’ll pick you up at six. Again. If you want to.”

  “What?” I mumbled.

  “What ... NO, Not you,” Laura said to me. “You,” she said, pointing at Nick. “Tell me what is going on.”

  Nick smiled. “I thought it was sort of obvious. I’m asking Jenny out on Friday night. Dinner and a movie.”

  Laura stammered, unable to believe what she was hearing. My best friend was not being exactly supper supportive here.

  My mind tried to shut down. This was really happening. Then, a huge red stop sign flashed in my mind. Sort of like the red apple in my hand.

  “You really talked to my dad?” I asked, still unable to believe it. “Before talking to me?” I added, as the thought occurred to me.

  Nick shrugged those wide shoulders of his and what little anger I might have had, disappeared.

  “I’m sort of new to this whole courtship, dating thing,” he said with a serious look. “I figured I should do it right.”

  My world began to spin. This could not be happening.

  “I thought you don’t do formal dates,” I whispered, as I tried to ground myself.

  He smiled and said, “Didn’t. Not don’t. There’s a difference. Besides. When a guy finds his forever girl. What choice does he have?”

  My heart crashed into my ribs, as my mind flew away. But, I never lost focus of that handsome face across from me. My world might be tipping over on its side. But, that face kept me grounded.

  A faint hesitancy flashed behind his eyes, as if his declaration might be rejected. Silly boy.

  “Will someone please tell me what is going on?” Laura demanded.

  “Not much,” I said to her, without taking my eyes off of Nick. “The boy I love just asked me out for Friday night.”

  Nick smiled. Life was good and it was going to get better.

  Epilogue

  Several Years Later

  As I stepped into the kitchen, I caught a glimpse of the red apple magnet, pride of place in the center of the refrigerator, holding up Lizzy’s second grade report card for the entire world to see.

  I balanced the baby on my hip and glanced over at Lizzy doing her homework at the dining table. She was hurrying to finish before her father got home so she could spend time with him.

  She was such a daddy’s girl and the thought made me smile. I couldn’t exactly blame her.

  He was off shift by now, I thought. On his way home. But, I wouldn’t relax until he walked through the front door. A cop’s wife never relaxed until her man was home.

  The front door opened.

  “Daddy,” Lizzy screamed, as she flew across the room to wrap her arms around his leg.

  Nick reached down and picked her up. Hugging her like she was the most precious thing in the world.

  My heart broke into a thousand pieces.

  He stood there in his deputy’s uniform. Tall, strong, my rock. He had come so far. After Community college, Sherriff Osborn had gotten him into the academy. He was up for sergeant and it looked like he would get it.

  Yes, my man. I smiled, fighting to hold the happiness inside less it burst my soul.

  “Hey, Cupcake,” he said to me as he smiled. “I got Christmas off. Jake is going to switch with me. It means a double on New Year’s.”

  Yes, that was my Nick. He knew how important Christmas was to me.

  I smiled and stood on my toes to kiss him on the cheek.

  “Mom will be happy,” I said. “She’s got a big meal planned. As always.”

  He smiled and reached down to kiss his son on the top of his head, then pulled me into a tight hug.

  Yes, this was where I belonged. It was where I would always belong.

  The End

  Author’s Note

  Thank you for reading ‘One Night.' I would love to know what you think of it. My readers make it possible for me to do what I love. I am always grateful and excited to hear from you. Please stop by my website GLSnodgrass.com or send me an Email at GL@GLSnodgrass.com. Feel free to sign up for my newsletter. I use my newsletter to announce new releases and give away free books.

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  If you enjoyed ‘One Night,’ please tell a friend or two. And, please help out by rating this book at Amazon or Goodreads. Reviews from readers make a huge difference for a writer.

  I have placed the first chapter of my book 'A New Year's Kiss' at the end. I hope you like it.

  A New Year’s Kiss

  Chapter One

  Rebecca

  Who orders milkshakes on New Year’s Eve? I thought to myself, as I scooped another dollop of chocolate ice cream. I wasn’t even supposed to be working that night, but Ashley had run off with her Marine boyfriend leaving us shorthanded.

  I realize some people have to work on New Year’s Eve. Doctors, police, firemen. You know, important people. Not waitresses. Especially not seventeen-year-old waitresses who should have been out having some kind of social life.

  But, hey, a girl has got to fill her college fund somehow. So I should probably quit complaining and focus on my job before Jimmy fires me.

  “Don’t look now, but a cute guy at table six is checking you out,” Meagan said, as she sidled up next to me. At twenty-one and with two years working at Sam’s, Meagan was the senior waitress. I thought of her as the big, experienced, sister I never had.

  Another creep. Just what I needed, a night of being hassled. Probably all talk and no tip.

  This New Year’s was supposed to be different. I’d find that special person. A male type person. Someone sweet, interesting, cute. We’d get to know each other over the course of the night. Talking, flirting, and maybe dancing. After a wonderfully bubbly evening, we’d seal the new feelings with a special kiss at midnight.

  I’ve always thought that kiss to be particularly special. Full of potential and promise. Commitment and new beginnings expressed in passion. A magical moment.

  Each December 31st, my parents would meet in the middle of our living room after watching the Space Needle light up and kiss passionately. Totally forgetting I was in the room. It always made my stomach clinch up in a uuuuuh feeling of unease. I’ve got to admit it though, a little jealousy would seep in. Every year, as I got older, a deep, thick desperation would settle over me. I wanted what they had so much it hurt.

  Instead, I was working a late shift on New Year’s Eve at what my mom called ‘a greasy spoon‘ of a diner. Sam’s was okay, but it wasn’t exactly known as a party spot. Particularly, when it came to young men of the right age and appropriate level of coolness.

  Sighing to myself, I pushed those feelings away and concentrated on my work.

  “I don’t have time for this, Meagan. I’ve got a family of four with a serious milkshake fetish and a couple in the back booth who ordered half the menu. Can you take table six for me?”

  Meagan laughed. “Okay, if you insist. But, look first. I don’t want you coming back later saying I stepped in where I didn’t belong.”

  “Believe me Meagan, you can have all the creeps. I’ve had enough to last me for a life time.”

  “Oh Rebecca, this is not creep material. He is way too cute for that. Sandy blond hair, wide shoulders. A face carved by the gods, with eyes so blue they’re almost silver.”

  Taking a deep breath, I slowly looked over my shoulder towards table six. My stomach dropped as a sense of dread spread through me. No way, it couldn’t be.

  It was. He was here. Why him? Why now? Why, while I was wearing this stupid green waitress uniform? It wasn’t fair. David Foster. It couldn’t be.

  He was sitting at table six with a group of people. I gasped as our
eyes met and a slow smile spread across those perfect lips. Lips that had sent me to heaven the first time they touched mine.

  I twisted back away, breaking the brief contact. The ice cream scoop dropped into the bucket, and I had to grab the counter to regain my balance.

  Meagan looked at me with wide eyes, as if she’d just seen me walk through a wall. “Okay, Becs, give. Who, what, when, where? Who is he?” she asked. “You’re all white, like you just saw a ghost or something. Are you okay?”

  Nodding my head, I continued to grip the counter with iron fists, as I tried to regain some control. David Foster. After all these years. Four years and two days to be exact. The worst Christmas break ever.

  A thousand scenarios about seeing him again had played out in my mind. This had most definitely not been one of them.

  In my late night day dreams our seeing each other again usually revolved around me being famous and looking great. Maybe attending the Oscar’s on the arm of Adam Levine. David would be in the crowd. I’d see the look of regret in his eyes and my world would be complete.

  Never in a thousand nights had I thought it would be like this. Me wearing this frumpy waitress uniform, smelling like French fries and chocolate ice cream. Obviously dateless on New Year’s Eve. It was enough to ruin any belief in a divine power. No God could be this cruel.

  I could feel David looking at me. “An ex-boyfriend,” I whispered, refusing to turn around.

  “Ooooh, awkward,” Meagan said with a frown. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll take table six, you take number two for me.”

  “No!” I said, before I could think straight. “No Meagan, I’ve got it,” I added, once I calmed down. Proud of myself for dealing with the situation like an adult. The million fluttering butterflies in my stomach chose that moment to launch themselves when they realized I would have to talk to him.

  “Hm, okay Rebecca, whatever you want. But, hey, he’s just an ex, we’ve all got them. Those reminders of our mistakes in life. They keep us humble. Stop us from thinking too highly about ourselves.” Meagan laughed trying to lighten the mood.

  “David was not a mistake, he was the greatest thing that ever happened to me,” I said, again, before I could stop myself.

  “Order Up,” Jimmy yelled from the kitchen, as he pushed a grilled cheese and fries into the serving bay. He gave us a look that said ‘stop your hen party and get to work.’

  Meagan glanced at the order, then whispered to me, “Do not go anywhere, I’ll be right back, and then you are going to explain everything. This is way bigger than some ex-boyfriend.”

  She stared at me for a moment until I nodded slightly.

  I had just finished preparing the final milkshake when she returned. Her hand on her hip and looking at me with a raised eyebrow, as if demanding the combination to the safe full of money.

  Taking a deep breath, I said, “First boyfriend, first love, first kiss. The sweetest, kindest person I will ever know. Our time together was the greatest nine months of my life.”

  “Wow,” Meagan said. “What happened?”

  “Nothing, really. We were a couple from the end of seventh grade up until Christmas break of eighth grade when he told me that his family was moving to the other side of town, over in Lakeland Estates. We figured it would be best if we broke up, saw other people. Different lives, different schools. You know.”

  “Whose idea was it to break up?”

  “I don’t know, both of ours I guess. It was all such a blur. All I can really remember was the unbelievable heart ache. That and the two weeks of tears.”

  “You were what, like fourteen?” Meagan asked with a questioning frown.

  “If you say it was only puppy love I will spill this chocolate shake all over your uniform,” I hissed through clenched teeth.

  Meagan backed away, putting her hands up in surrender. I could tell that she didn’t understand. Nobody had ever understood.

  Harrumphing to myself, I gathered up the milkshakes to deliver them to the back corner. I made a point of not looking at table six. My insides were turning over repeatedly. It took everything I had just to make sure I placed the right shake in front of the right customers.

  Once I’d accomplished that simple task, I squared my shoulders, flipped open my order book and took my pen from behind my ear. No time like the present, I said to myself, wanting to get this over with.

  David saw me approaching and smiled slightly. Did he remember me?

  What did he think about seeing me again? He’d grown, a lot. Even sitting down, I could tell he was half a foot taller than he’d been in junior high school. Well over six feet now. His hair was still that sandy brown, just long enough that my fingers itched to run themselves through it.

  His steel blue eyes peered into my soul, pulling at it, making my stomach send a strong signal to my legs to stop, halt, do not go forward. I had to mentally overwrite the instructions and keep my legs moving.

  He wore a sports jacket and a buttoned down dress shirt open at the collar. The man was a walking advertisement for wholesome fun with a hint of wild about the eyes.

  Forcing a smile to my face, I asked the group of four, “Are you ready to order?” being sure not to look at David. If I did, I might lose it. Keep it professional, I kept telling myself.

  A young couple about my age sat across from him and his date. Their shoulders touching, they were obviously boyfriend and girlfriend. Like David, they were dressed for the night. The brunette wore a slinky silver dress. The guy was in a coat and tie. A big guy, probably played football with David.

  Where were they were going and why had they stopped here at Sam’s Diner, tonight of all nights?

  “Hi Becca,” David said with that sultry, velvet voice of his that went straight to my knees.

  I swallowed hard and smiled, “Hello David.”

  Simple, keep it simple, I thought as I glanced at his date, silently asking if she was ready to order. At least he remembered me.

  My stomach relaxed a little, not a lot, but enough for me to go on. It would have been gut wrenching cruel if he’d forgotten all about me.

  David’s date was gorgeous, - of course – Short blond hair in a cute pixie cut. She wore a simple black dress that looked like it would have cost me a month’s worth of tips. A light elfin air encased her, as if someone had sprinkled fairy dust over her to make everything about her perfect.

  To top it off, she offered up a sweet smile and ordered a simple salad with ranch dressing. No ugly looks. No questioning glances at David for an explanation. Great, not only was she beautiful, but she was nice. So typical of him.

  My gross uniform felt like it was pulling at my shoulders, and I swear I got a strong whiff of chicken fried steak and potato salad. How sexy is that?

  I took the order from the other couple, a French dip and another salad. Then, turned to David for his. I couldn’t put it off any longer.

  He smiled up at me and said, “How are you doing? It’s been a long time.”

  “Four years and two days,” I answered, before I could stop myself. Wow, how terrible did that just make me look? I could see the sudden interest in the others as they stared at David. Their eyebrows rising in a unison, looking at him with curiosity.

  “Yes, and three hours and twenty minutes to be exact,” he responded.

  I looked into his eyes. He wasn’t teasing. I was sure of it. I could always tell when he was teasing. The yellow flecks in his eyes would sparkle. He was serious, he did remember.

  “Yes, well, are you ready to order?” I asked trying desperately to get things back under control.

  “Sure, I’ll take a cheeseburger, no pickle, fries and a coke.”

  I smiled to myself, it was what he always ordered. Some things hadn’t changed. He caught my smile and realized what I was thinking.

  He smiled with me, sharing in our little moment. I glanced at his girlfriend afraid she might want to make a scene but she smiled, probably well aware of David’s food preference. It surpris
ed me how much I hated her.

  “Okay then, I’ll bring you your drinks,” I said, as I flipped my order pad closed and beat a quick retreat. I could feel David’s eyes on me as I walked across the restaurant.

  Meagan quickly joined me. “How are you doing?” she asked with concern.

  “Fine, why?”

  “You know, the limitations on torch carrying is about six months. Not four years.”

  “I am not carrying a torch for David Foster,” I said.

  “Oh honey, your torch is so big it makes the Statue of Liberty look like she’s carrying a book of matches.”

  “Don’t you have tables to bus?” I asked.

  “Ha, ha,” she laughed over her shoulder, as she walked away.

  I closed my eyes. David Foster. Would I ever get over him?

  My heart continued to race and my palms began to sweat, making me wipe them on a kitchen towel. Okay, that answers that question.

  'A New Year's Kiss'