Unexpected, a Holiday Short

by DL White

  Unexpected

  A holiday short

  DL White

  Copyright © 2017 by DL White

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Cover image courtesy photographer gstockstudio

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Acknowledgments

  Also by DL White

  To my family, blood and chosen:

  Thank you for your unending love, support and encouragement toward achieving my dreams.

  To everyone out there wishing for a chance at love. May you find it and never let go.

  1

  “I don’t know why you’re being so difficult, Saidah. Put on some clothes, run a brush through your hair and come over.”

  “Maybe I don’t want to go over there. Maybe I want to sit on my couch and watch A Christmas Story back to back while I drink myself into oblivion.” As if I needed to prove my point, I loudly sipped from my mug of spiked hot chocolate.

  “That’s the exact reason you need to bring your behind over here. You don’t need to be by yourself on Christmas. Especially on Christmas.”

  I rolled my eyes while switching the phone from one shoulder to the other. I was comfortable, deeply implanted into the corner of my new leather couch, under a chenille throw, in my pajamas and fuzzy Christmas socks. The socks weren’t necessary, since it was the warmest Christmas Atlanta had seen in years, but they were red and had little green Christmas trees on them, so they were helping to ring in the holiday season as best they could.

  The trees on my socks were about the only sign of cheer in my condo. It had been years since I put up a tree and decorated for the season. It had also been years since I joined Faith, my friend-as-close-as-a-sister, and her family for Christmas dinner. My new tradition wasn’t one I picked up by choice; it was a natural consequence. And I was in no hurry to change something like a natural consequence.

  “I promise you, honey. I’m fine right here. Enjoy your meal and your family. Are we doing after Christmas sales on Saturday?”

  Faith sighed that long, drawn out sigh that usually accompanied a roll of her dark brown eyes and pursing of her pouty lips. “Why do you have to ruin everything, you stubborn brat?”

  “Wait, what? I didn’t know we were name calling on today of all days, the celebration of the birth of sweet little eight pound, six-ounce baby Jesus.”

  “Yes, we’re name calling when you’re being stubborn. I was trying to surprise you. Jay is coming to dinner.”

  My heart skipped a beat at the mention of him. I didn’t have to ask for a last name or a clarification on who Jay was. I knew very well, and Faith knew, too. The very thought of him brought his face to my memory—strong square jaw with the dimple in the chin, skin like whipped mousse, chiseled cheekbones, classic nose, wide-set eyes so dark they looked black and the longest, prettiest eyelashes you ever saw on a man. Impeccably dressed and intelligent to boot.

  Jay was the one that got away.

  “Don’t lie to me, Faith. Jay is coming to dinner?”

  “I wouldn’t lie to you, Saidah. Never have, never will.”

  “Well. When did that happen? How did you even get in touch with him?”

  “I have my ways,” said Faith. In the background, I heard the clank of the heavy lid to her Le Creuset Dutch oven. A Le Cordon Bleu trained chef that owned a successful catering company, Faith could tear up a meal like nobody’s business. You’d swear you were dining at a five-star restaurant and be right in her dining room.

  “I’m serious, Faith! How did you manage that? How do you know he’s really showing up?”

  “Anthony ran into him in Nashville a few weeks ago at that conference he went to — you remember they’re in the same frat? They started talking, catching up. He works in… building design or something. Was doing pretty well, but he hinted that his wife left last year.”

  “Left him? Women are giving up rich, handsome men these days?”

  “Girl, I guess. There was an affair, or at least that’s the vibe Anthony got from talking to him. Anyway, he seemed to have a hard time, said something about being alone this year, so Anthony invited him over. He came home and told me, and that’s when I called you and asked if you were coming over.”

  As stubborn as I was about spending the day in my pajamas, alone, on my leather couch, the thought of seeing Jay after all these years could be a game changer.

  We’d all gone to college together at Albany State University. Jay and Anthony were line brothers in Alpha Psi Alpha. Anthony and Faith were dating and were trying to hook me up with Jay. He and I were friends, then close friends, and then one night after a party, on the walk back to the dorms, he pulled me into the shadow of a building and pressed himself against me, walking me backward until I was caught between the cold brick wall and the warm man with the racing heartbeat.

  His lips pressed against mine, tentatively at first and then with a moan and a tilt of his head, deepened the kiss with an open mouth and a probe of his tongue. After a few minutes of breathless kisses and roaming hands, I pulled him from the darkness and around the corner to the side door into the building.

  I dragged him to the room that Faith and I shared, that I was pretty much living in alone since she spent a lot of her time at Anthony's place. Jay wasn’t my first, but he may as well have been. Being with him felt so different than the few guys that had stumbled through quick, awkward sex. Jay moved slowly, fluidly, I felt like we were meant to be together. There was definitely no stumbling and zero awkwardness.

  After, we talked and talked, tangled up in the sheets with my cheek plastered to his warm skin. I listened to his heartbeat and splayed my fingers across his broad chest, feeling him catch his breath. I was already falling in love.

  We were inseparable, unless we were with Faith and Anthony. We were those cute couples that did everything together and always hung out together. Until we weren’t.

  Jay was from a small South Georgia town and the college experience seemed overwhelming to him. While he did well in classes, he wasn’t used to having so many social options. The allure of being able to date so many women was tempting. So much so that, before the end of our sophomore year and right after Anthony and Faith got engaged, Jay broke up with me.

  Over the next few weeks I saw him on campus, hands tightly clasped around the waist of one girl and then another. Looking into someone else’s eyes with that gaze I used to think was reserved for me, laughing that laugh I thought only I could bring out. It devastated me. I tried everything to get him to realize the mistake he’d made, what he was giving up and leaving behind. Jay was more interested in the next party, the next girl, the next conquest.

  Faith and I graduated, and a few months later, I walked down the aisle as her Maid of Honor. Though I hadn’t seen him in years, Jay was at the wedding, as handsome as he ever was, with a beautiful cinnamon toned woman on his arm.

  Twelve years later, we’d be in the same room. Him so handsome, more mature and all grown up; hurt and vulnerable from the demise of his marriage. And me so… well, me.

  “So, is he still fine? And what are you making?” I made a valiant attempt at sounding nonchalant, but Faith was on to me. I could almost hear the grin in her voice, knowing f
ull well what my moments of silence represented.

  “I haven’t seen him, so I don’t know. But Anthony didn’t say he’d let himself go or anything. And I’m not going all out — just a bone-in prime rib, garlic mashed potatoes, gravy, collard greens, macaroni and cheese. Maybe a wedge salad with bacon bits, some yeast rolls. Oh, and a Dulce de leche cake. And I’m thinking about whipping up a pound cake with buttercream frosting.”

  “Not much? Not going all out? I just gained five pounds listening to that.”

  “Dinner is at three o’clock. I’ll save you a place next to Jay. Bring some wine, a nice cabernet or merlot.”

  “I already told you — what makes you think I’ve changed my mind?”

  “Because I know you. And I know I can always change your mind. See you soon.”

  A dial tone cut my retort short. I rolled my eyes and tossed the phone onto the couch. I stomped to the bedroom, heading straight for the closet. Dressing for this dinner was going to be of utmost importance. I hadn’t seen Jay since he paraded that woman in my face and had the nerve to be smug about it.

  “Hmmm…” I hummed, stepping into the closet to survey my options. “I’ll want to make a good impression… but not look like an attention whore.”

  I eyed a pair of skinny jeans, dark rinse. My full figure looked ridiculously good in them, but the way Faith cooked, I would need more room than those would allow. “I need to show off my grown and sexy…. but not look thirsty.”

  I thumbed through a few more options before I grabbed up a brand new black sweater dress with stylish zipper embellishment across each shoulder. It hugged my ample hips and showed off my bust in glorious fashion. At a perfect mid-thigh length, it was long enough to be classy but short enough to be sexy. I'd pair it with my over-the-knee, three-inch suede boots.

  I plugged in my flatiron and turned on the shower. I was going to be a spectacle or die trying.

  Time to show Jay what he’d been missing all these years.

  2

  “Merry Christmas!” Faith bellowed as soon as she opened the door. She had a toddler perched on one hip and a shy four-year-old behind her legs.

  I stepped into the house, my heels clicking on the marble inlay. Anthony did very well as a software consultant and Faith’s catering business added to the pot. The Thomas family lived very well, in a near-palatial estate in affluent Alpharetta. You’d never know it by looking at them, though. They were the most down-to-earth people I had ever met, generous to a fault and always happy to lend a helping hand or a word of advice where needed.

  “I’m not sure you need this wine. Sounds like you’ve already had enough to drink.” I handed Faith the two bottles of wine I had picked up—I couldn’t decide between a cabernet or merlot, so I brought both — and I took the baby from her arms.

  “Can’t I just be happy to see you? It’s been years since you were here on Christmas. Come on in, make yourself at home.”

  “Wait!” I hissed at Faith before she veered off to the kitchen. “Is… is he here?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Did you miss that Range Rover in the driveway? That’s not mine, and you know Anthony is a Denali guy.” I hadn’t missed the ebony black SUV with the shiny alloy wheels hogging most of the driveway.

  She set the bottles of wine near a small but growing collection of wines on the counter and reached for Avery, who nearly launched out of my arms into hers. Ashley followed closely behind her mother.

  “Hello Miss Ashley, acting like you don’t know me.” She smiled and ducked out of sight. It always took her a minute to warm up to me. “I see you back there. We’ll talk later, okay?”

  Faith pushed me toward the living room with her fingertips. “Stop stalling. Go. Make a good impression.”

  I sucked in a deep breath and stepped down the hall into the formal living room where Anthony was holding court near the stone fireplace, his glass half full of something dark. The tree was the focal point of the room, grandiose and glamorous, impressive in both height and decoration. Faith changed the theme and colors every year. This year the bulbs were deep ruby red satin and glittering gold that reflected the softly glowing pearl lights perfectly. The red velvet tree skirt, unfurled and surrounding the tree so elegantly, was the perfect touch.

  “She outdid herself this year,” said Anthony, from across the room. “Our biggest tree yet. Had to decorate half of it from upstairs.”

  “She is a big one,” I agreed with a smile. “Merry Christmas, Anthony. Did you guys open the gifts from me?”

  He nodded. “The girls love their Misty Copeland Barbies. We set them up right next to the Ava dolls. And I’m digging this G-Shock watch.”

  He flicked his wrist to show off the watch I’d gotten him. That didn’t really go with the casual look he was going for with slacks, a long-sleeved shirt and vest, but I appreciated the sentiment.

  “Faith loved the Tiffany pendant you got her. I was a little scared, because I had a blue box under the tree for her too. But I’m sure you ladies will chat about that.”

  “So… uh…” I glanced around the room to find it empty, save myself, Anthony and another gentleman that looked familiar, but I couldn’t place him. “Where is Jay? I wanted to say hello.”

  “Jay had to step outside to take a phone call. He’ll be right back. But this is his brother, Will.”

  Less than interested in some counterfeit version of Jay but not wanting to seem rude, I stepped forward and shook the hand offered to me. “Nice to meet you,” I mumbled with a smile. He replied with something similar. He was handsome and looked just like his brother. He just… wasn’t Jay.

  The door to the patio swung open and in walked Jay, tucking a mobile phone into the pocket of a pair of dark jeans. He was a taller, broader, even more handsome version of the Jay I used to know. He wore black loafers and a grey cashmere V-neck sweater with a shirt under it, the collar unbuttoned enough to reveal the neck I used to love to plant kisses around.

  “Jay. Hello. It’s been a long time.”

  The words tumbled out of my mouth as I walked—no, glided across the room toward him. I extended a hand and gave him my warmest smile, which I hoped would let him know that I harbored no hard feelings toward him. I was older, wiser, more mature, a better woman than I had been so many years ago.

  “Hey, what’s up,” he said, brushing past me. I stood there, looking like a fool, my hand still extended for more than a few seconds before spinning on my heels and turning around. I watched Jay pick up a glass and shoot back a mouthful of liquor.

  “Was that who I think it was?” Will asked him.

  Jay nodded. “Yeah. Yeah, it’s all good. We can sign paperwork on Monday.”

  “Yeah? Congrats on that, bro!” Will's face lit up as he stretched an arm out to his brother. They bumped fists and made irritating grunting sounds at each other. To Anthony, Will said, “Jay here just closed the deal for us to remodel that old beat up strip mall off of Panola Road. The plan is to tear most of it down, reconfigure the interior, redo the facades. It’ll be a multi-million dollar deal. Not our biggest project but our most public facing for sure.”

  “So…” I stepped into the room and tried to wiggle my way into the conversation. “You two run a renovation business? Or something?”

  “Yes, that’s exactly what we do,” answered Will. “Hunter Construction does commercial structure renovation. Like when a company buys an old, previously existing building and wants to retrofit it to a vision for the new place? They call us.”

  “Sounds interesting. And profitable. You must be the muscle,” I purred, sidling up next to Jay, gripping his arm. It was deliciously meaty inside the soft fabric of the sweater. Jay stared at me, those dark eyes locked on mine. Then his gaze slid down until they reached my hand on his arm. He looked up at me again and stepped away, conveniently removing my touch.

  “Okay if I refill?” He didn’t wait for an answer; instead heading toward the expansive bar on the other side of the tree.

  Conf
used, I shot a glance at Anthony. He shrugged and took a sip of his drink. In the corner, Jay was loudly tossing ice cubes into a glass. Will watched him for a moment, his brows furrowed deeply, before glancing at me with an apologetic smile.

  I didn’t bother to smile back. I turned around and stomped into the spacious kitchen where I found Faith spooning aujus over the prime rib on a festive red serving platter. In multicolored dishes around the kitchen, attractively prepared sides waited to be whisked to the buffet in the dining room. The entire room smelled delicious.

  “How’d it go?” she asked, her brows high upon her forehead. I shook my head and headed toward the wine, snatching a glass from its fancy storage system.

  I plucked the bottle of merlot from the collection of wines, pulled a drawer handle, retrieved the opener and went at the bottle, aggressively wrenching and twisting until the cork popped. I wasted no time in filling a bulbous glass.

  “Pour me one,” she ordered, carting the aromatic roast past me and depositing it on the center of the buffet. When she came back, I had a glass waiting for her, but I was working on gulping mine down.

  I was fuming. Absolutely fuming.

  Faith angled her head to peek around the corner as she took a sip of wine. “Did you talk to him?

  “Mmmhmm!” I gulped down more wine while I cut my eyes at her, and then toward the living room.

  “What’s that look for? What happened?”

  “I tried to speak to that fool. He didn’t even say hello. Said, hey what’s up and walked right past me. Then I tried again; I put my hand on his arm, paid him a nice little compliment. He looked at me like my hands were dripping with acid and moved away from me.”

  “He did what? Like how?”