by Joy Avery
Sienna’s eyes snapped up. A tiny hint of confusion played on her face, which baffled him even more. Her eyes glistened, and he swore she was about to shed a tear. She turned, popped her lock and disappeared inside, politely slamming the door in his face.
Chapter Eleven
Sienna prepared for the ladies who would be joining her for the Card Making 101 class she taught once a month at her local craft store, Brown Girl Sparkle. She always enjoyed being here, but today, she was particularly happy. Staying busy kept her mind off Jake.
It had been about a week since the last time she’d seen or talked to him. For the first several days after their split—if you could call it that since they weren’t exactly dating—she’d snatched up the phone every time it rang, hoping. As always, she’d been disappointed by a man.
Why was she even upset? She’d pushed him away, not the other way around. But he hadn’t done one damn thing to stop her. She’d wanted… She banished the thought before it completely materialized.
Sienna recalled the remark Janet had made about Jake still wearing his wedding ring. Obviously, only around her, because Sienna hadn’t seen it since the night they’d met.
Regardless, he still wore it. He still held onto a memory, guaranteeing they could never move beyond where they had been. Clearly, his connection to the dead was far stronger than the one he held to the living, the one she’d thought they held to each other.
She had no one to blame but herself for believing they were more than they actually were. Always falling too hard and too fast for the wrong men. Her M.O. It had been that way since she was younger. Obviously, nothing had changed. Fools rush in, she reminded herself.
Pushing the thoughts of Jake aside, she focused on setting up the room. When her phone rang, it startled her. Removing it from her purse, she sighed. While Evelyn’s heart was in the right place, Sienna was exhausted from trying to convince her sister she was okay. If she could recover from a divorce, she could certainly get over a fling.
“Hey, sis,” Sienna said, intentionally overselling her enthusiasm.
“Hey. Are you at Brown Girl Sparkle?”
“Yes. Setting up for my class,” she said in hopes that Evelyn would keep the conversation short and sweet.
“Just making sure.”
Yes, mother, I made it here safely, she said to herself. If no one else cared about her, Evelyn sure did. Sienna thanked God every single day for her.
“Your niece wants to know if you can come over tonight to help build the gingerbread house. Oh yeah, she says you can’t say no.”
Sienna laughed. “Well, I guess that means I’ll be there. What time?”
Evelyn gave her the details, then ended the call without one single mention of Jake or their non-relationship. Strange, but maybe she’d finally convinced her sister that she was a-okay. Whether that was true or not didn’t really matter.
An hour later, attendees began to arrive. By start time, she had a full house. She loved when that happened. There were several familiar faces in the bunch: Ms. Pearl, Ms. Odessa and Ms. Josephine. Regulars. They’d taken so many of her classes, each could probably teach it on their own. She always enjoyed the laughter they brought to the room.
Sienna excused herself to retrieve the attendee list normally delivered to her. While the list wasn’t a necessity, she liked having it. Browsing the paper, her brow furrowed. “What…?” Laughter spilling from the room snagged her attention. Reentering the room, she froze. Jake occupied one of the chairs around the wooden, u-shaped table.
The sight of him kicked up her pulse rate several notches. Obviously, his name on the attendee list hadn’t been some wild fluke after all. He’d actually registered for her class. Why?
Instead of singling him out, she carried on as normal. “Good morning, everyone.”
The several women who’d appeared enthralled with Jake’s every word took their seats. Near him, of course. She ignored the ping of jealousy she felt. This was a free world, and he was a free man. If you didn’t count the fact he was still shackled to his dead wife.
Once Sienna had the room’s attention, she said, “For those of you who don’t know me already, I’m Sienna Turner and I’ll be your instructor today. I’d like to start by doing a quick roll call to familiarize myself with each of you. Is that okay?”
Sienna’s eyes swept over the crowd as several yeses rang out, including one from Jake, his heavy tone unmistakable amongst the softer ones. The second her gaze collided with his, a feeling of euphoria washed over her, causing a sensation that both angered and soothed her at the same time. Could anyone else feel the energy between them? They were emitting some serious vibes.
Sliding her eyes away, she read down the list until she’d called everyone’s name. “Perfect attendance,” she said. “I love it. Well, welcome to Card Making 101. I hope you all are as excited to be here as I am to have you. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Sienna paused a moment, because a question usually came at this point. Surprisingly, no one spoke up. Well, this wasn’t the strangest thing she’d encountered thus far today. She grabbed a quick glimpse of Jake. Him being here held the strange things distinction.
“On the table, you’ll find all the supplies you’ll need to make a beautiful card to give to a friend, significant other or whomever,” Sienna continued, as she did her best to keep her attention off of Jake, despite something fervently drawing it toward him. “Has anyone—”
Sienna stopped when Jake’s hand shot into the air. Her first instinct was to ignore him, but that would have been childish and unprofessional, seeing how he had paid for the class. “Yes…” She peered down at the roster like she was trying to recall his name. “…Mr. Hollidae?”
Jake chuckled in the sexy manner that always sent butterflies fluttering inside her. Now was no exception.
“I’m new to card making and have no idea what elements to place on one.”
Sienna plastered on a friendly smile. “Then you’re in the right place, because we will cover all of these details.” She shifted her attention away from him. “As I was saying—”
Jake’s hand rose again, pausing Sienna a second time.
“Yes,” she said.
“I apologize for continuously interrupting. I’m just so excited to be here.”
“I’m happy to hear that. And I’m—we’re…” her words trailed “…happy you’re here.”
“With you being a professional, if someone were to give you a handmade card, what elements would you like to see on it?” he asked.
Judging by the good question comments and several sets of eyes pinned to her, they were eager to hear her response.
“Well, that would depend on the type of card,” she said.
“A forgiveness card.” he said. “I’ve made a colossal mistake that I desperately need to make right.”
“I see. Well, to be honest with you, Mr. Hollidae, in such a severe circumstance—as it sounds in your case—I don’t think a card would suffice.”
“Neither do I,” Ms. Pearl said.
“Did you cheat on her?” Ms. Josephine asked. “Y’all young folks always cheating.”
Jake frowned, his eyes never leaving Sienna. “In a way, yes.”
“An emotional affair,” Ms. Josephine said, interpreting Jake’s words. “Lawd, that’s worse.”
Several of the others agreed. Jake appeared a bit uneasy. Understandable. He was the only man in a room full of women, and he’d just loosely admitted to cheating in a way. Whatever that meant.
Refocusing on Sienna, Jake said, “Okay, we’ve established a card won’t work. What will?”
The women tossed out all kinds of responses: flowers, jewelry, money, a trip around the world, but no one offered the simplest and most cost-effective gesture.
“A simple apology,” Sienna offered over the chatter.
The room fell quiet and all eyes settled on Sienna.
“I’m listening,” Jake said, employ
ing her to continue.
“A sincere apology. Face-to-face. It would have a far more powerful impact. Especially if you truly hurt the individual you wronged. But even then, there’s no guarantee things can be salvaged. Sometimes, the damage is already done.” She eyed him several seconds before refocusing on the other attendees. “Okay, we should get started. You’ll find card stock, glitter, glue—”
“I don’t believe it’s too late,” Jake said, cutting her off yet again.
Dear God. Sienna sighed. “Mr. Hollidae—”
“I believe you care about me just as much as I care about you,” he said.
“Chile, this is getting good,” Ms. Pearl said.
“I told you they knew each other,” Ms. Odessa said. “Their auras blend well.”
Jake stood and neared her. “I’m crazy about you.”
“If that’s the case, why did you let me go?”
He stood directly in front of her. “Because you were right. I was holding onto a ghost. You deserve better. You deserve all of me, not just bits and pieces. I took our time apart to release the past. The present, the future are the only things I’m focused on. I want you in both, and I’m willing to do whatever I have to do to make that happen.”
“Lawd, if she don’t want him, I’ll take him off her hands,” Ms. Odessa said.
Jake turned toward the onlookers. “Ladies, would you mind if I stole your instructor for a few minutes? I promise I won’t keep her long.”
Ms. Pearl said, “You can take her.”
Sienna’s head snapped. Didn’t she get a say in whether or not she wanted to go?
“But if she comes back crying, we’re going to kick your ass,” Ms. Pearl added.
Several of the women co-signed.
Sienna snickered. She loved that little ole lady.
“She’s in good hands,” Jake assured, before leading her out the room.
Jake experienced a tiny amount of victory when Sienna hadn’t resisted stepping out of the room with him; however, it was short-lived, because the second they moved into the hallway, she pulled away from him.
“Jake—”
“I’m sorry,” he said, squashing her impending protest. “I was blindsided, Sienna, and it left me reeling. But I never meant to hurt you. I just needed to be whole for you.”
Jake had done something he’d never imagined he’d do—at least, not so soon. He’d gone to Janet to let her know he forgave her. Doing so had set him free. He’d also gone to Nicole’s grave, asked for her forgiveness, then finally let her go.
“Once the haze lifted, one thing became crystal clear,” he continued.
Sienna crossed her arms over her chest. “What was that?”
“That I need you.”
Her hands flew up in the air. “You don’t even know me.”
“Don’t know you?” He laughed.
For the next several minutes, Jake rattled off parts of her life she’d shared with him. Events from her childhood, her parents’ deaths, being raised by her grandmother, her bad luck with relationships, the dog she’d never gotten as a child. FeFe, the name she’d picked out for it.
“All that stuff is trivial, Jake. It only proves that you’re a good listener and that you know about me. If you knew me, you would have known that that night on my porch, all I wanted was for you to pull me into your arms and tell me you choose me, not the memory of your dead—”
Sienna stopped abruptly, turning away from him. When she faced him again, hurt shone in her eyes. Pain he’d caused. He hated himself for bringing her any ill will.
“For once I need someone to be terrified of losing me, instead of the other way around. I have to go, Jake.” She turned and moved away.
“Do you know our hearts beat in tandem?” he said. When Sienna stopped, he continued. “It’s true. I thought I was just imagining things the first time I realized it. You were asleep in my arms. You’d fallen asleep to the sound of the rain. You seem to get your best sleep then.”
She turned to face him.
“When you’re excited, you never let it fully show, like you’re afraid for me to see that not-too-serious side of you. Instead, you grind your teeth.” He chuckled. “It’s the strangest thing, but I love seeing it. Especially when I’ve done something to cause it.”
Sienna’s eyes lowered, and she studied her feet, as if ashamed by Jake’s observation.
“When you’re in deep thought, you make tiny circles on the back of your hand. Over and over. I’m not even sure you know you’re doing it. But I never interrupt you when I see it happening, because that time in your head should be all yours. When you come back, you always have the most sated expression on your face, like wherever you’d been had replenished your soul.”
Jake closed the distance between them. He half expected Sienna to dart away from him, but she didn’t. “This isn’t just some fling for me, Sienna. It never has been. If you told me right now that we’re never having sex again, I would still show up for you. Every. Damn. Day. Because my pleasure doesn’t just derive from being inside you, it also comes from simply being with you.”
Sienna remained silent.
“I don’t know when it happened, Sienna. The second time I saw you. The third. Maybe even the first.”
A confused expression flickered on her face. “When what happened?”
“The moment I started falling in love with you,” he said.
Sienna gasped and stared hard at him with wide, shocked eyes. Her mouth fell open, but no words escaped. Obviously, she was stunned by his candor. While it seemed impossible, insane and maybe even premature, he couldn’t deny how he felt about her.
“Since day one, I’ve sensed this powerful connection to you that I could never explain nor understand, but I liked it,” he said. “You take my breath away. Make me want to color outside the lines, take gambles.”
“Is that all?” she asked, “because I have a class to teach.”
Jake didn’t allow her hardness to sway him. “I choose you. I. Choose. You,” he repeated. “And the thought of losing you terrifies the hell out of me.” He rested his hand behind her neck and brought her face closer to his. “I can’t explain this thing that happens to me when I’m with you, but it’s real. I want to be with you.”
To his disappointment, Sienna snatched away from him and took several steps back. His heart dropped. Coming here, he stood the possibility of things not turning out in his favor. But he’d come anyway. He’d hoped. Always hold on to hope, his mother used to say.
Sienna’s expression turned stern. “What, because it’s six days away from Christmas, did you come here expecting some kind of Christmas miracle?”
In a way, he guessed he had.
“You disrupt my class, drag me into the hallway and attempt some lame apology. And if all that wasn’t enough, you want me to believe that you’re falling in love with me—a woman you’ve barely known a month? Do you think I’m a fool?”
“No,” he said. “I just—”
“Well, apparently, I am,” Sienna said, cutting him off. “Because as inconceivable as it seems…I’m falling in love with you, too, Jake Hollidae.” Her eyes watered. “A man I barely know. A man who’s renewed my faith in so many ways. A man who takes my breath away.” She pressed her body against his. “I choose you, too. I guess that makes me daring, after all.”
“She forgave him. She forgave him,” came from inside the room.
Seconds later, cheers erupted. The women were obviously experiencing the same level of excitement he was feeling at the moment. No, that wasn’t possible. No one in this world was as happy as he was right now.
“I think we have an audience,” Sienna said.
“I don’t care,” he said, claiming her mouth and kissing her with all of his might.
While their holiday—er, Hollidae—fling was fun while it lasted, they set their sights on something more. Forever.
Epilogue
Christmas Eve, one year later…
* * *
Sienna sat on the sofa, blindfolded by the man she loved and left to wonder what in the heck he was up to. Jake had instructed her to be patient. He, of all people, knew her better than that. Patience was not one of her virtues.
“Where are you?” she called out, her voice echoing in their new home. “I’m hungry. And I have to pee…again.”
She smiled as she circled her hand over her protruding belly, swollen with Jake’s child. A son. Several emotions swirled inside her. She’d never dreamed she could be this happy, this lucky with love. Blessed, she corrected.
Jake finally reentered the room, kissing her gently on the lips. “Are you ready?”
“Yes,” she said with mock irritation. But she wasn’t upset. At this point, she was used to Jake’s random acts of kindness. Flowers, candlelit dinners, weekend getaways. The adventures never ceased with him. And she loved it. Loved him.
“Here it comes,” Jake said.
“It better be a pizza.” She hadn’t eaten since nine that morning, roughly twenty minutes ago.
Jake placed something soft, furry and warm in her lap. Sienna ripped off the blindfold. “Oh my God. You got me a dog.” The chestnut-brown bundle whimpered, then relaxed against her stomach and fell asleep. “I’m in love,” she said.
“I debated,” he said, kneeling in front of her and kissing her stomach. “With the baby coming, I didn’t want it to be too much. But when I saw her, she felt perfect for you. It’s a miniature poodle.”
“She is perfect. Just like her daddy.” She kissed Jake several times all over his face.
“I have something else for you,” he said, passing her a blue velvet box.
Opening it, she removed the blinged out, bone-shaped dog tag. “FeFe,” she read aloud. Sienna recalled the moment she’d shared with Jake the name she’d chosen for the dog she asked Santa for every Christmas as a child, but had never gotten. “Do you know how much I love you?” she asked.
Jake grinned. “Absolutely. Now put on her tag and make her official,” he said.
