'Tis the Season for Love: A Charity Box Set

by Maggie Dallen

  The smell of roasted turkey rose through the vents, calling them to dinner.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I came to apologize.” His voice softened and for a second she almost believed him.

  “What about Gabrielle?” Saying her name left a sour aftertaste in her mouth.

  “What about her? I ended it to be with you, I choose you Collette.”

  “You chose too late. Why do you even fancy the idea? Clearly I wasn’t enough—scratch that—you wanted more. You wanted what you thought I wasn’t going to give so you went ahead and found it elsewhere. I loved you. A part of me died when I caught you with your pants down.”

  “They weren’t—”

  Collette cut him off, “They could’ve been if I had come much later.”

  “I admit it was a moment of weakness. We were good friends and there was this... we used to have a spark.”

  “Used to?” Collette scowled at him.

  “Yes, used to.... used to, but we don’t anymore. Spark isn’t the right word. There was an energy about her.” Bryson noticeably regretted those words too, saving face by reaching for her hand. It was a gesture he used often on her, holding the one hand with both of his and caressing her knuckles as he spoke, “She made that very clear when she saw me ogling you this weekend. You made her jealous, and I thought to myself, how could I let the best thing that ever happened to me slip from my fingers?”

  “Easy. You jammed your tongue in another woman’s mouth. You put your hands on her—”

  “Hey, it’s in the past,” Bryson hissed. Taking a deep breath, he exhaled and brought back his charming smile.

  “I don’t want to listen to this.” He was a liar, liar, pants on fire. Did he believe she would fall for this garbage? Collette pushed off the window ledge, spooking her sleeping cat from the pillows on her bed. Junior stretched out his paws, yawned, and shifted into another sleeping position.

  Her father called her down for dinner.

  “I don’t want to talk about it. Today is Christmas and you haven’t let me give you your present.”

  “Do I want it?” Honestly, she was done with his sly tricks. She peeked at her appearance in her vanity mirror, brushing her light hair into a loose side braid for the meal. She scanned the necklaces hanging off her jewellery tree, her gaze skimming past the charm he had given her but ended up settling for a pearl necklace she hadn’t worn in years. Bryson stood closer, forcing her to inhale his strong cologne. It didn’t have to be Gabrielle; he could’ve snagged any woman with his dashing looks.

  “You have for quite some time.” He slipped his hand into his pocket, and she moved on to touching up her mascara.

  “Is it better than a kitten?”

  “I’m allergic to cats, besides you and I are too busy to own a pet.”

  “Ever think maybe I want him to stay?” Ignoring Bryson’s response, she scurried out of her bedroom, going down the stairs for dinner. The tables were set, all with matching red cloths and candle centerpieces with fake red berry wreaths.

  Bryson rushed to her side, reaching for her hand, yet she pulled away. Her family was watching them, not just her siblings, but extended family too. Whatever happened between them that evening would be gossiped over the rest of the week if not her life, also thanks to the upcoming wedding. Choosing her seat, Bryson pulled the chair out for her, commandeering the one to her right.

  After the meal’s prayer, the youngest rushed over to the kitchen, digging into the buffet, giving the adults time and less distraction for their toasts. Collette’s mom nodded in approval, but it made Collette sink further in her seat. This wasn’t the life she wanted. It was formal and stingy. She wanted to fill her plate then eat it in her room, binging on old Christmas cartoons, especially the ones producers paid big bucks to erase. Junior was upstairs and needed snuggles from his mommy.

  She didn’t want to be sitting in a metal fold up chair in a dress that was tighter than last year, where she had to sit awkwardly with her legs pushed together.

  Kaylee squirmed with excitement at her with Bryson, once she pulled her attention away from her fiancé for literally a second. “I love a good second chance.”

  “Me too,” André added, offering to fill her glass.

  Wow, her cousin traded her allegiance fast. She could go for that fake boyfriend right about now, but somehow shovelling the driveway was more important than rescuing her from an embarrassing evening with her ex.

  Ugh, Jesse just wanted to watch her world burn. It wasn’t funny; she could have really used his help. A pie in his face, whoopee cushion, something to mortify him and all the people in that stuffy room encouraging this travesty.

  Bryson refilled his wine glass, “To Collette.” Standing, he held the glass in the air, “Collette, you have been too good, patient, loving, virtuous, and sweet. Though it’s true I do want more in our relationship, I want more with you.”

  “Why are you making this public?” she whispered. Very few family members were aware to the extent of their breakup and fewer to why.

  “No more hesitation. No more doubts. No more regrets.”

  Ugh! Bryson wasn’t listening to her; he was rambling on again to his own agenda. Lowering the glass and onto one knee, he pulled out a velvet box. Unhinged, it revealed a large princess cut diamond with several stones surrounding it. The ring was white gold, made of dreams—her dreams that had died a few weeks ago.

  Surrounded by loved ones—her family, the stone dazzled yet taunted her all the same. Instead of sensing a reward for her virtue and purity, the acknowledgment of love and promise... she felt hurt, shame, and abandonment. There in front of everybody, she was expected to pretend.

  Two and a half years and the ring finally showed, but with it, the man she had learned to despise.

  Kaylee nodded along, while Brooklyn nibbled her nails, a habit the two sisters shared. Collette and her big mouth blabbed on about how this Christmas would be the one he would pop the question... two years ago. Last year, she rambled more, a bigger storm, and there she was caught in the eye of it.

  “I had the perfect woman all along and I suppose I was waiting for the perfect moment, but they’ve all been perfect with you.”

  What a load of garbage. So wait, they were supposed to waltz over how him sneaking around with another woman made her feel? For all she knew there could have been more. How could she trust the change in his motive was real, that this wasn’t lip-service? Oh there was so much backlash she wanted to bring to the table, but with all those eyes watching, she swallowed her breath.

  “Collette Walters, would you do the honours of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?”

  Chapter 10

  “Get out!” Jesse roared. With the door wide, a chilly air gust blew through the house. The snow on his toque and hoodie instantly melted, more likely from the boiling rage coursing through his veins. Rarely did Collette witness him upset, never to this extent.

  Bryson stood, closing the ring box and slipping it back into his pocket. He walked over to him. Levelling his eyes, he hushed, “Do you mind, you’re ruining the moment.”

  “And I’ll ruin any more. You’re not allow to play with her when you want, then throw her out for the newest, shiniest, gaudiest toy that stumbles into your path. There are people in this room who actually love her, not simply having her around, I...”

  “People like you?” Bryson balked. They were over pleasantries. Jesse had set the tone and it was about to get messy.

  “Yeah people like me. I love her and I will not stand for this. You were supposed to protect her heart and instead you’re ambushing her into a decision she will regret for the rest of her life. You’re taking advantage of her and I won’t have it. Get out!” If Jesse hadn’t made it clear enough, he was pointing in the direction he hoped led to the door.

  “No,” Bryson shifted and adjusted the watch on his wrist, “you get out. You get out now, you find a new job, you never give her another glance, and I’ll have yo
ur brother home by New Year’s Day.” He pulled his sleeve over the device, “Jaxson, was it?”

  Jesse squinted at him, calculating his threat. He loved his brother, but he couldn’t let Bryson win.

  “You leave quietly and forget about her. Stop wasting your time or I will ruin you. Who are you going to pick? Your own flesh and blood, or a woman who doesn’t love you back?”

  “Jesse,” Collette started, her tone hushed as the eyes in the room followed her, “you don’t have to...”

  He gripped Bryson’s dress shirt. “He may be locked away for another year, but you can’t expect me to let you imprison her to a lifetime of misery with you.”

  Bryson pushed him off, regained his composure, then shrugged. “I see you have made your decision.” He concluded their private conversation and turned to the room with a puffed up chest. “Taking advantage?” he snarled. “For the last three years all she’s done is complain about you, each time I demanded she file harassment charges. Why are you here, Jesse Thorne? We actually have something. But you? You’re her co-worker who so blatantly has a severe stalking obsession. I could ruin you.”

  “Stop.” Collette held her hands out to both men to keep them apart. “Both of you, stop. Bryson, can we talk privately for a moment?”

  Already Collette’s aunt had his plate packed away in a takeout box and pushed it into his chest, “You can keep the container.”

  Bryson accepted the dish, confused.

  “Outside,” Collette clarified, leading him to the coatroom. She stepped into her father’s oversized shoes and buttoned up her wool jacket. She motioned for Jesse to follow, “You too.”

  He shut the door after them, glad he didn’t remove his hoodie.

  “The answer is no.”

  “You’re not actually going to listen to him?” Bryson howled, “He twists his words; I should know, I’m a lawyer.”

  “You waited too long.”

  “In the concept of marriage, it shouldn’t matter. We were destined to be together; we will be together. I messed up, but it was before. Going into this, I’m all yours.”

  “Up yours,” Jesse snarled.

  “Shush,” Collette held up her hand. “You had your moment. Wow, I’m the adult between two little boys. Time-out.”

  “Call me little,” Jesse teased, his tall muscular frame towering over her as he brushed his beefy arm with hers, but she shook her head.

  “What part of time-out don’t you get?”

  Okay, so that wasn’t the time to pass jokes.

  Collette shoved her hands into her pockets, “Listen, Bryson, you don’t ask a woman you cheated on, who dumped you, to marry you. No. Just no. This is not how the world works. I won’t change for you. I’ll change for me and you’re not going to like this, but I’m going to say it... and Jesse you’re not going to interrupt.” She swallowed, “Bryson, stepping out of our relationship gave me perspective. You’re charming and charismatic, but you’re not my husband.”

  She fought the urge to glance at Jesse, but he caught it. The brief glimpse warmed his heart and his primal instinct was to dip her in a kiss, unfortunately that would have to wait.

  “I admit that ring is beautiful and what you did in there took guts. I admire that, I do, Bryson. The old me would have loved you more. But I’m not her. The woman I’ve been isn’t the wife you want; in fact, I love you enough to admit you might not fully realize what you want or who you are.”

  “You love me but you’re rejecting me. Peachy,” Bryson snarled, turning his back on them. “You’re making the biggest mistake of your life, Miss Collette Walters. You say ‘no’ one more time and there is no going back. This ring will go on another woman’s finger. He’s a miscreant. He will never change. People never do.”

  “Once a cheater, always a cheater?” She shrugged like the decision was a no-brainer, “No.”

  “Oh really, well... I’ll prove it. Check his pockets.”

  Collette turned to Jesse, but he only smirked. She would have to check his pockets for him.

  “No need. I watched you put the necklace in there.”

  Bryson’s face paled.

  Jesse slipped his hand in for curiosity’s sake and pulled out the heart pendant she wore basically every day when they were dating, and gave it back to her. “Dude, don’t pick a fight with the bull.” He stood straighter, shoulders out, to emphasize his point. Her ex shrunk at his mammoth-like presence.

  “Hush up, you’re not innocent either, Mr. Tough Guy.” Collette jabbed him with her elbow, and Jesse flinched like his ribs were made of Popsicle sticks. “You took credit for the roses.”

  “Uh... yeah? Because I bought them.”

  Collette’s jaw dropped, pointing between both men, “But you said you paid him to deliver them.”

  Bryson nodded, “The poinsettia... because it’s Christmas. Roses are for Valentine’s day,” he grumbled matter of fact.

  She slung her head back and screamed to the sky.

  Wait, Bryson paid Ezekiel? The diesel truck was long gone, but Jesse had an idea as to why he accepted the cash—Genesis’ sapphire necklace. Man, rich people were weird, but he couldn’t blame his friend for abusing the lawyer’s idiocy.

  “Best of luck,” Jesse smirked, handing Bryson a flimsy pink snow shovel meant for children. It must have been Collette’s from when she was in pre-K. Bryson gave him a quizzical glance, rejecting the offer so Jesse threw it into the yard. The pink shovel soared through the air and sank into the snow like an arrow in tall grass.

  Bryson seemed to have wasted enough of his energy on them. He held his head low on his fuming march to his vehicle. Pulling out his car fob, he glanced up, searching left and right.

  “Where’s my Audi? It’s black, custom rims... you can’t miss it. Where the... where is my car?” He spun around, nearly slipping on the packed layer of snow. “Where’s my car?” Pressing the unlock button, there was a muffled beep directly behind him.

  “Merry Christmas,” Jesse said with a silly grin on his stubbly face.

  He and Collette rushed inside. She was the one to reach for the deadbolt. The guy had a jacket, he’d survive. Together, they peeked out the nearest window watching Bryson cuss them out. Collette smacked Jesse’s shoulder, but it was gentle, as she was laughing too hard for it to hurt.

  “What?” he asked not guiltily.

  Bryson stomped around in circles, pounded the door, and to their delight, did not take the jest well. “This is vandalism. I swear if I find one dent, a rock chip, you are going to jail. I’ll make sure of it!” Bryson fumed, extending his strides into the lawn for the shovel. The snow blown onto Bryson’s car had a crusty layer and he struggled to chip through.

  “Your uncle was right, the snow does harden after sunset.”

  “This is harassment!”

  “Is it?” Jesse asked Collette, “Should I be worried?”

  “Do you think I’m going to care? Also look up.”

  Jesse grinned, not bothering, wrapping his arm around her lower back, too eager for her lips, he pressed a rushed kiss. She closed her eyes, but impatient as he was, he watched her relax under a hooded gaze. It didn’t quite put the one from their first date to shame, but it gave him hope that there would be many more opportunities ahead.

  She pulled back, “No, there’s a spider.”

  His cheeks burned up, thanks to his ego jumping ahead of logic or reason. Jesse leaped back staring up at the high ceilings. Nothing. It was bare, not even a web. His heart skipped in a way he hadn’t expected after a brief kiss. How dare she joke around about eight-legged demons!

  “Kidding.” She giggled, “Your face. Priceless.”

  “I’m sorry. I never meant... it’s too early. He just proposed and I went all—” She pressed a lone finger on his lips, muting him. A snowball hit the window, but they ignored it. After the third, they closed the curtains.

  “I’m the one who is sorry. All this time you were looking out for me, Jesse. Thank you. Also...” she pointe
d to the window, “thank you for that. I mean, you didn’t quite have to go to that extent. We had eggs in the fridge, but...”

  “But?” He waggled his brows, “Chicken butt variety? Those are my favourite.”

  Collette glared at him, probably regretting their short kiss a few seconds ago. It would stop him from being him. Nothing would change his heart for her uplifting smile. “I’m trying to be serious here.”

  “I’m trying to make you laugh.” He stuck out his tongue and crossed his eyes. She reached up to poke one, but he caught her wrist, letting out a hearty laugh himself.

  “Are you joining in for dinner?” Brooklyn hollered from her seat, her head poked down the hall. “We’re about to have dessert.”

  “Start without us,” she shouted back, dragging Jesse out of their view. Her voice softened, staring up at him. She slipped his hat off, “I wish I’d met you before I met him.”

  “Me too.” He tipped her chin upwards, “Not much earlier, I was a real twerp.”

  “Was?”

  Jesse grinned, welcoming her closer. He held her in his arms, planting a soft kiss on her forehead.

  “Your Christmas wish, it came true. Me in your arms.”

  “I...” he gulped, “I guess so, huh.”

  “They’re lovely arms. Strong, hefty, like you could carry my plus-sized—” One look and she muted herself. “But I should cut back on the baking.”

  “Never.” He brushed the loose bangs out of her face. “There was something important you were going to attempt to share with me before your sister and the hug, and you being the prettiest thing, happened.”

  “Did you mean it? When you said you loved me... was that you playing the fake-date thing or was it being a protective friend, or...”

  Jesse’s lips met hers. It was as if it happened in slow motion and the instant they touched, heat flickered in his chest. He had to stop with the premature kisses, but his heart spoke before his brain.