Holiday Intercepted

by Katana Collins

  He raised his brows in my direction, like he was issuing me a challenge. “Well, they consider you part of the family.”

  Warmth spiraled in my chest at the sentiment. It was so sweet. Especially since I didn’t feel like I had a family in years. At least, not in the traditional sense. Yes, Scott and I were family, and I loved Kyra and Yvonne like they were my sisters. But I didn’t have a ton of siblings, or grandparents or cousins who hosted big, elaborate meals that we cooked together. We went to Taylor’s dad’s house for that—Oh. The truth of that slammed into me. “I never saw it that way,” I whispered, “but I see what your dad means. I’ve been going there for years, ever since my mom died.”

  Taylor nodded. “Dad brought up a good point to me. What happens if we don’t work out? Would I not visit Maple Grove anymore? Never come back for a holiday dinner again?”

  I squeezed his hand. “Taylor, that’s crazy. Of course you’d come home. He’s your father.”

  Moisture brimmed his red-rimmed eyes. “And then what about you? Are we going to be able to have holiday dinners together if this doesn’t work out?”

  I swallowed, my throat burning. “Of—of course. We’re both adults. If this doesn’t work out—”

  “And then what if one of us meets someone else? What if one of us marries someone else and all of a sudden you’re bringing Dave Bolton to dinner?”

  “Dave? What? Taylor, I think you’re overreacting.”

  He tugged his hand from beneath mine and stood, running his hands down his face. “Am I?” He shook his head. “I don’t think I am. This could get messy—fast.”

  I shrugged and let my hands hit the wooden table top. “Fine. If we break up, then I won’t go to your dad’s for the holidays anymore. Problem solved.”

  He chuckled and I could hear the bitterness in the sound. “And what? Spend Christmas alone? I can’t do that to you.”

  I felt hollow. Because what Taylor didn’t realize was that even though I was surrounded by his Dad and his dad’s family and Scott year after year… I always felt like I spent Christmas alone. Until last night. It was the first Christmas Eve in years that I didn’t feel so dreadfully sad and alone.

  Taylor sighed. “We both know Scott will never let you be alone for Christmas Eve dinner. So, then he’ll stop going to my dad’s for the holidays, too. And my dad will feel like he lost both of you because of me. I can’t do that to you or Scott. Or him.”

  “Okay,” I said carefully, standing. My fingertips pressed against the grainy wood and I used that solid foundation to stabilize myself. “I see your scenario and I raise you a situation. What if we do work out? What if this thing between us ends up being real? And these affectionate feelings we have for each other grows over the next year or two years or ten years. And we fall in love. And we marry. And we spend every Christmas happily together. What if all that concern you have is for nothing, but we never find out because you never gave us the chance?”

  He licked his lips, hands clamped to his hips. “Is it worth risking everything?”

  “I know my answer. And I think you know my answer. So, what’s yours?”

  He stared at the floor for what felt like hours, and with each passing second that he didn’t look into my eyes—that he didn’t choose me—I felt pieces of my heart chipping away.

  After a long silence, he said, “I’m afraid this could get really messy.”

  “Are you seriously going to let fear dictate your life again?” I shoved my chair aside so abruptly that it startled him.

  He jerked back like I had struck him. “Again?”

  “Yes, again. You didn’t come back to Maple Grove for years—”

  “Because I was mad, not because I was afraid.”

  I threw my hands up. “That’s bullshit.”

  Taylor’s eyes went wide and he stood from the table as well. “Did you just curse? I don’t think I’ve ever heard you curse before.”

  “Nuh-uh,” I put a finger up in his face. “Don’t change the subject. You were afraid of getting hurt. Of someone betraying you. Of having to face your monsters.”

  “You’re one to talk,” Taylor cut in, pacing around my kitchen island. “You live here in Maple Grove teaching the thing you want to be doing yourself because you’re too afraid to get out there and go for it. Don’t lecture me about fear, Paige.”

  I swallowed, angry tears rising in my eyes. “That was a low blow.”

  Taylor held his hands out as though we were demonstration enough. “Look at us. Barely a day together and we’re already fighting dirty.”

  I shook my head and walked to the small Christmas tree in my living room. From beneath it, I pulled out two wrapped presents and the card taped to the front, placing it on the table. “Only one of us was fighting dirty. Fighting is just a part of growth and relationships. Fighting dirty is for cowards.”

  I couldn’t stand there any longer. I couldn’t stand there and wait for him to make the decision that would leave me alone once again. I couldn’t stand there and watch as he walked out of my life.

  I grabbed Maisey’s leash hanging in the kitchen and I could feel Taylor’s eyes following my every step. “Where are you going?”

  “I’m giving you your presents, and taking Maisey for a walk,” I said, moving closer into Taylor and wrapping my arms around his waist. I closed my eyes, resting my cheek on his chest and listened to the rhythmic pulse of his heart against his ribcage. “I’ll be gone for twenty minutes,” I added quietly. “And in that time, make your decision. Whether you’re in or out, I won’t hold it against you. I won’t be mad if you leave. It won’t change the holidays for next year.” I spoke past the tightness in my throat, willing myself to hold back the tears until I got outside. “I think it will be easier for you to choose without me here, staring you down as you try to think.”

  I pushed onto my toes and pressed my mouth gently to his as one tear slid down my cheek, disappearing between us. I prayed that he didn’t feel that tear, that it could remain my little secret.

  Twenty-four hours ago, Taylor Wilson was just a memory to me. He was just a boy I had once known. I always knew he could change my life. But that was completely wrong. He wasn’t just changing my life… I was changing his. Or I could, if only he would let me.

  I pulled back from the kiss, opening my eyes just in time to catch a glimpse of his eyes blinking open, a sheen of unshed tears reflecting against their crystal hue. “Just know… that right now, I’m in. I’m all in. And I believe we could make this work. But I don’t want to be with someone who’s afraid to be with me. I don’t want someone who’s only half invested in me. Either way, Taylor Wilson,” I cupped his jaw, brushing my thumb over the razor-sharp line of his cheekbone and took in every angle, every curve, and memorizing every line of his face because it might be the last time I see him this up close and personal. “Merry Christmas.”

  I clipped Maisey’s leash to her collar and walked out into the snowy night, hoping that wasn’t our last goodbye.

  14

  Taylor

  My brain was so mixed up and twisted that it felt like a Cuisinart blender up there. On one hand, it had been twenty-four hours. If I was going to walk away, now was the time to do it because I could already feel myself becoming attached to her. If it was this painful to walk away now, imagine how it would feel in a month… in a year… in two years.

  I had twenty minutes to decide. Well, actually more like fifteen. Because she was right—if I was going to leave, I needed to do it before she came back. With her here in front of me, I don’t know if I’d have the strength to walk out.

  I sat down at the table, ignoring the card and tore open the two presents, chuckling at her gifts to me. They were perfect. A DVD of Guys and Dolls, which she now knew I hated, and a hideous Christmas pajama onesie. I chuckled, holding the adult onesie up against my body. It was designed to be a reindeer and the hood even had antlers that flopped off the top.

  I sighed and opened up the card from her. On
the front was a picture of a dog that looked just like Maisey wearing a Santa hat. If Paige could be summed up in one card, this was it. Goofy. Adorable. Sweet. Inside, a folded print out paper fell into my lap. In the Christmas card, her neat cursive wrote:

  Taylor,

  Because you’re now officially part of the family—the tradition expands. A “terrible” movie (that for the record is not terrible at ALL) and hideous pajamas that I can’t wait to see you in.

  As for the letter tucked inside here…well, that’s your real gift. Or rather, it’s actually your gift to me.

  Because you make me braver than I’ve ever been in my life.

  Merry Christmas,

  Paige

  I smiled. I make her braver. And she softens my hard edges. I carefully unfolded the note and saw that it was an email chain she had printed out.

  To: MRT@mackmatacrep.com

  From: p.williams@gmail.com

  Subject: January 8th Auditions

  Dear Mackmatac Repertory Theater,

  My name is Paige Williams and I would love to schedule an audition for the January 8th open call. I’ve attached my headshot and resume for your review. I realize the timing is less than ideal, being so close to Christmas and a little over a week away from the scheduled auditions. If you can squeeze in one more appointment, I look forward to meeting you soon. If not, I would love to be considered for next year.

  Sincerely,

  Paige Williams

  To: MRT@mackmatacrep.com

  From: p.williams@gmail.com

  RE: Subject: January 8th Auditions

  Dear Ms. Williams,

  Thank you so much for your email. You’re one lucky lady… we actually had a cancelation yesterday. If you would like the audition, it’s yours.

  Sincerely,

  Justin Pacely

  Mackmatac Casting Coordinator

  She did it. She actually did it. I swiped my palm against my cheekbone, brushing away the moisture falling down my face. She actually made the appointment. And in that moment, I wanted nothing more than to be the one holding her hand through it. To keep my promise and drive her down to that audition and any other audition she might need emotional support going to.

  I looked at the clock. Time had passed quickly. I had seven minutes before she said she’d be home with Maisey.

  Seven minutes to make up for a complete and utter panic attack and almost walking away from the best thing that had happened to me in twelve years.

  15

  Paige

  Twenty minutes. Twenty minutes could feel like a lifetime when you were waiting to enter a possibly empty home. Truthfully, I wouldn’t even know until I got inside. We took my car to his dad’s house and his was still parked up at the inn’s parking lot. If it was missing—if he had already left, I’d have no way of knowing.

  I opened the front door and was met with utter silence. The house was dark except for one light left on in the kitchen. I let Maisey off her leash and walked toward the table where I had left his presents. They were gone and in their place was a framed 11x14 image of my mom, dancing in The Nutcracker — the same image that was by my bedside all these years.

  There wasn’t a gift more perfect than this.

  Emotion clogged in my throat and I squeezed my eyes shut. I won’t cry. I won’t let him ruin my Christmas. And I wasn’t going to be alone tonight, that was for sure. Kyra or Scott or surely someone was up for a sleepover.

  From inside my living room, Maisey was making a ton of noise and I heard her jumping around. “Maisey, come here,” I shouted. The last thing I needed was an emergency trip to Steve’s veterinary clinic on Christmas Eve because my dumb dog didn’t know that eating pine needles was bad for her.

  Music streamed on from that room and as I stepped inside, a light flicked on, Taylor’s hand at the switch, ready for me. In his other hand, he held his phone, playing music. No, not just any music… I’ve Never Been in Love Before from Guys and Dolls.

  My face split into a grin as my gaze traveled the length of his body. Gone was his button-down shirt and dress slacks from dinner. Now he was in the reindeer onesie I had given him. I covered my laugh with my hand as he started singing against the karaoke version of the song. He was still pretty good. “I thought you said you never wanted to sing that song again?”

  “There were a lot of things I said I’d never do again—until this weekend.”

  I crossed the length of my living room toward him, grabbing the back of his neck and kissing him. His arms encased my waist, lifting me off the ground as the music played quietly behind us.

  After lowering me back to the floor, he dropped his forehead to mine, chuckling. “You’re ruining my solo.”

  “It’s a duet, dummy,” I said and pushed onto my toes again, pressing my lips to his. His hand wrapped into my hair, curling around my ponytail and he took my mouth, his tongue brushing along the seam of my lips. I moaned and he licked into my mouth.

  With a gasp, our kiss ended. “I’m so sorry,” he said. “My dad got into my head. I want to try. I’m in, too. All in.”

  I smiled, nibbling my bottom lip. “See? Christmas mirac—”

  “If you say Christmas miracles exist, I’m going to tickle you so hard until you can barely breathe.” He pointed a finger playfully in my face.

  I rolled my eyes. “Fine. Then let’s just say, this is the best Christmas gift you could have given me.”

  “Same.”

  I tapped the screen of his phone, starting the music over again. “Now, how about that duet?”

  His hand slid around my waist and he took my hand, leading me in a slow dance there in my living room to the song that started it all for us.

  “Fine,” he said. “But this is the last time I ever sing that stupid song.”

  I winked. “We’ll see.”

  16

  Two weeks later…

  Paige

  Two weeks later…

  Relax,” Taylor said, sliding his palm across my stocking clad knee. “You’re going to be amazing.”

  Amazing? I felt like I was going to barf. I hadn’t auditioned for anything in a decade. “This is crazy,” I said, shaking my head. “I’m thirty years old. I haven’t auditioned, let alone acted in years. And I have a freaking job already!”

  He squeezed my knee gently as we careened down I-95 toward Boston. “First of all, thirty? Are you seriously using age as an excuse? I seem to remember two weeks ago, you were scolding me that my career will be over in a few years, but that you can reinvent yourself anytime.”

  I gulped. Crap. I did say that.

  “Furthermore, don’t make me throw out Helen Mirren, Dame Judy Dench, Meryl Streep—”

  “Meryl Streep doesn’t count,” I blurted out. “She was famous even when she was young.”

  Taylor sighed. “Do you want me to pull over? No one’s forcing you to do this. Especially not me. But as a wise woman also said, ‘Are you going to let fear dictate the rest of your life?’”

  I rolled my eyes. “I think the real question is are you going to use my words against me for the rest of my life?”

  His grin widened and with that smile, some of my nerves melted away. Some. Not all. He shrugged. “Depends. You offering me the rest of your life?” He slid me a quick look, then jerked his eyes back to the road.

  “Not yet, I’m not.” After two weeks? Heck no. Only crazy people got engaged after two weeks. It didn’t mean I didn’t see a future with him, though. That thought alone brought another smile to my face and more nerves melted away with it. At this rate, maybe I wouldn’t be nervous at all when we arrived at the audition. Yeah, right.

  Ten minutes later, we pulled into a small parking lot across from the repertory theater. Forget butterflies. It was like a monarch sanctuary had taken flight in my belly, all the way up to my chest. My heart fluttered, pounding in a rhythm so rapid, I worried I might be having a heart attack.

  I clutched my headshot in my clammy hands and even though I was
sweating bullets, my body was also trembling.

  “Paige,” Taylor said, his voice low and rough. “Look at me.”

  I did as he said, shifting to face him, those blue eyes disarming me. “Don’t tie your worth to an outcome. Whether you get this role or not, it doesn’t define you. You’ve done your part. You’re here and you’re going to give an amazing audition. Free yourself from an outcome that’s out of your control and instead, enjoy the ride. Because you are so much more than one audition, one role.”

  Tears welled in my eyes. “How’d you get so smart?”

  He didn’t answer, but instead curled his hand around the back of my neck and tugged me into his lips, kissing me hard. “Go show them what you got.”

  Just shy of one hour later, I walked out of the theater and found Taylor at the coffee shop across the street reading Sports Illustrated.

  “Hey, you,” he said grinning, looking up at me. But his smile quickly fell when he saw my face. “Uh-oh. What’s wrong? Why are you so pale?”

  I said nothing, and dropped into the chair opposite him and took a long sip of his now tepid coffee, swallowing it down. I shook my head, still stunned. “I got a part in their summer show.” I barely managed to say the words. It was like trying to speak underwater.

  I watched as his pale blue eyes widened, his grin lifting. “Already? They offered you the part on the spot?” He launched to his feet, lifting me out of the chair in a tight hug.

  “That’s not all,” I said. Momentary confusion drifted across his expression and we both sat back down.

  “Okay…”

  “Apparently, they’ve received a reel of my work a few days ago—as a teacher and director—and they offered me a full-time job teaching and directing their college students. They said they’ve had their eye on me ever since my school won the state competition a couple years ago, but they hadn’t seen one of my performances until the other day.”

  I shook my head, trying to clear the cobwebs away. “I don’t even have a reel of my own work… how the heck did they—” I looked up in time to catch the smug smile on Taylor’s face. “You?” I asked. “You did this?”