by DL White
I laughed, giving little Avery’s leg a tug as I followed Will inside. As was customary, Faith had transformed the house into a Winter Wonderland. The tree was just as grand as it had been the year before, except this year the motif was a soft dusty rose, a deep midnight blue and silver accents.
Will bent to slide a few boxes under the tree, then took the wine over to the bar and set it inside the silver bowl full of ice. He turned, pulling down the hem of his new cashmere sweater, just in time to come face to face with his brother, Jay.
They worked together, but I hadn’t been in the same room with Jay more than a few times since last year. My pride was still hurt. I still smarted from the things he’d said to me. I was a believer that alcohol didn’t invent thoughts and feelings; rather, it removed the filter that kept them at bay in polite company. We were fully grown mature adults, older and wiser, but he’d resorted to childish name calling and insults.
He had never apologized. I decided not to hold my breath, waiting for it.
“Hey, man,” Will said in greeting. They shook hands, then gave each other manly slaps on the back. “Looking good. Where’s the Mrs.?”
“In the kitchen, with Faith. Getting pointers on how to make prime rib or something. Like she cooks.”
Jay turned to me, and his eyes lit up. He and Will were so close in resemblance that they could be twins, but while he was a handsome, tall, muscular specimen of a man, my heart didn’t skip beats and my hands weren’t clammy and I wasn’t nervous when I saw him.
It’s amazing what being in love can show you.
“Saidah,” he said, his greeting to me the warmest it had ever been. He leaned over to drop a dry kiss on my cheek. “You look beautiful. My brother is a very lucky man.” He thumbed over at Will, who beamed a knowing smile in my direction.
You would know, I thought. Out loud, I said, “Thank you, Jay. Merry Christmas.”
“Thanks. You too.” He clapped his hands together, then rubbed his palms against one another. “Well. Here we are again. It’s… a little strange to be here again. After last year…”
“Let’s let last year be last year. And let’s move away from the bar,” Will suggested.
“I’m okay,” he insisted, but his gaze had already settled on the bottles. Will wrapped an arm around his shoulder and walked him away.
I exhaled a long, loud breath and left Will and Jay to themselves, headed for the kitchen.
Faith and Jay’s wife were deep in conversation over the prime rib, sitting beautifully on a serving platter. “I just mix a few ingredients; less is more, you know.”
“Do you just make it up? Or do you use a recipe?”
“Truth be told,” Faith said in hushed tones, “I use Alton Brown’s Horseradish cream recipe. It’s great and I don’t feel the need to improve on it.”
Celeste nodded, her perfectly arched brows angled closely together in conversation. I’d first met Celeste — thin, tall, model-gorgeous, lightly toasted cinnamon skin tone Celeste — at Faith and Anthony’s wedding. If the daggers she had shot in my direction throughout the wedding and reception were any sign, she knew about our brief relationship and wasn’t pleased to even be sharing the same air with me.
These days, I could tell she tried not to let it bother her — I was with her brother-in-law and visibly happy, but depending on how the reconciliation was going, some days and some encounters were better than others. I prayed tonight’s dinner would be one of the better ones. Faith deserved to not have two ruined Christmases.
And I had absolutely no desire to take her man. She could keep that rude son of a —
“It smells so good in here,” I commented, bending to sniff a deep whiff of Grade A beef, roasted to perfection. I knew Faith had put her foot in this meal and I was looking forward to enjoying it.
“Oh,” said Celeste, her birdlike mouth painted in bright red lipstick pursed in a tense bow. She backed up a step or two and folded her thin arms across her chest. “You’re here.”
Thinking about Jay’s subtle dig at her a few moments ago and her reaction to me, I gathered that things weren’t going well between them.
“I’m here,” I confirmed, giving her the brightest smile I could muster. “Merry Christmas! Will brought in gifts for you and Jay. They’re under the tree.”
Celeste didn’t respond, save an eye roll she thought I didn’t see.
“Saidah!” Faith’s face lit up and her arms closed around my shoulders in a tight hug, like we never saw each other. “Thank God you’re here,” she mumbled in my ear. “Please don’t leave me alone with these miserable people.”
I almost laughed aloud, but caught it before my giggle could spill over. I guess I’d made a reputation for myself as a person who would leave a room if I wasn’t satisfied.
“I’m here for the duration,” I assured her, then stepped back, surveying the room. Food covered every surface. Delicious smelling, great looking food. “Tell me what to do. Put me to work. I’m ready to eat.”
“Okay, grab a dish and set it out on the buffet. Saidah, you know how I like it — main dish in the middle veggies on the right, carbs on the left.”
I grabbed a dish and walked past Celeste to arrange dinner on the buffet. When I walked back into the kitchen, she was still standing there, her arms still crossed.
“Chop chop, Princess. We all work around here. Grab a dish so we can eat.”
Celeste huffed, flipped her blonde weave behind her shoulder and reached for the smallest dish she could find.
I wanted to laugh. Out loud. Uproariously. Jay Hunter got exactly who he deserved.
On my way out of the room, I gave in and let out a loud chuckle.
“What’s funny, baby?” Will asked.
“I’ll tell you later,” I whispered, dropping an obviously loud smooch on his lips, then heading back to the kitchen.
I passed Jay, grinning like a fool. And betting he was watching me walk away.
During dinner, Will, Anthony and Jay were wrapped up in a sports conversation, something about which quarterback on which team they’d switch out for Colin Kaepernick. Faith, Celeste and I chatted about after-Christmas sales and Real Housewives of Atlanta while Faith tried to monitor the girls in their booster seats and Christmas dresses.
I tried not to have a drink, since I felt it was rude to pour up while Jay was still going through his steps. He’d stopped drinking on New Year’s Day and had been diligently working to repair his life, including his marriage. The jury was still out on that, but I didn’t want to do anything to harm his progress.
But Jay insisted that everyone enjoy themselves, so I sipped on a glass of wine while I took a break from stuffing myself silly.
Honestly, I couldn’t wait until Will and I could get home, get comfortable and have a drink together. I grinned to myself at the thought of home; my cozy little condo that I shared with the man I loved. And his dog.
“Saidah,” Anthony called from his end of the table. “It’s great that you made it to our table two years in a row. Maybe it’ll be a new tradition?”
I shrugged, coyly brushing off the question. Will and I had had that brief conversation a few nights ago, but a question hadn’t been asked. I had no doubt that it would be, but until it was, I couldn’t speak for my future Christmases.
Next to me, Will dropped his arm from the back of my chair to rub my shoulder. “Or,” he replied, “maybe we’ll have our own traditions.”
“My bad, man.” Anthony sat back in his seat and pushed his nearly empty plate away, then reached for the glass of bourbon he’d been drinking. “I didn’t know things were serious like that.”
“Yeah,” Will nodded, his eyes meeting mine. “Things are serious like that.” The sparkle in those brown eyes was so… impish. He had something up his sleeve. Before I could ask what was up, he scooted his chair back from the table and stood.
“I had planned this for later, but… serendipity, I guess. If we could just all…. I don’t know, take a break
from dinner and uhm… Saidah…”
He reached for me, his hand outstretched for mine. “Join me at the tree?”
Chairs scratched the wood floors as everyone pushed back from the table and migrated from the dining room to the living room, where they spread out among the couches and chairs. Will and I stood in front of the beautifully lit Christmas tree.
Will grabbed my hand and held it in his. I noticed that his palm was clammy, and he was trembling. I gave him a squeeze and tried to catch his eye as he pulled me close.
“So, like I said, I’d planned for this later. Maybe after dessert, when everyone’s full and comfortable. But Anthony had to open his big mouth about traditions and... well…”
He chuckled, giving the room a nervous half smile. “If you don’t mind, before you plan for Saidah to be at your table every year, I thought I’d ask if she’d mind being at mine.”
He paused, turning to face me, then gripped both of my hands in his. My heartbeat sped up, wildly thumping. I was sure the room could hear it pounding out of my chest. Everything seemed to happen at lightning speed, but in slow motion at the same time. Like I couldn't keep up, but I wanted to rush past this moment to The Big Moment.
“You know how you just… know things? Like you always knew you wanted to be a teacher. You never had to wait to decide you wanted to teach; you just knew. That’s the same way I knew, when I met you, that you were the one for me. That’s the same way I knew I was in love with you. And it’s the same way I know that… uhmmm…”
He released my hands and sank to one knee, pulling a small velvet box from his pocket. When he popped the lid up, I almost couldn’t see the ring nestled inside for the tears in my eyes. My head whipped around to Faith, who was trying — and failing — to keep a straight face. It was impossible that she didn’t know about Will’s plans, considering the cushion ruby halo engagement ring was exactly something I’d fawn over, then lament that I didn’t have someone to present one to me.
And she’d tell me to keep the faith, hang in there, there’s someone out there, just for me. I used to think that was just something she said, an automatic response. Then I met Will.
“As I was saying, it’s the same way I know that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. So, I think I know the answer, but I’m nervous, anyway. I’m still asking, though. Saidah Harlan, would you do me the honor of being my wife?”
I nodded, my head bobbing viciously, since I was crying so hard I couldn’t speak. Will pulled the ring from the box and slipped it onto my finger. It fit snug and it was gorgeous, sparkling in the lights and against my skin. I grabbed his forearms and pulled until he was standing, then fell into his arms.
“I love you,” he said, his lips so close to my ear I felt his breath on my skin. “I wish your parents could have been here, but I have a feeling they’re watching over you, and they’re happy.”
“Yeah,” I answered, sighing happily, my arms still tight around his shoulders. “I think they are. They would love you, Will. Absolutely love you, just like I do.”
And just like that, my Christmases for the next… forever were locked in.
10
“Thanks for having us,” I told Faith while she helped me pull on my coat. It was chillier this year than last year, which I loved because we could turn on the fireplace and sit together — with Coco between us — and watch a movie. I was looking forward to doing that exact thing as soon as we got home. “Those leftovers will not last long. Will is primed for a midnight sandwich.”
“He might not be hungry again by midnight, the way he ate today. I love a man that appreciates good food.”
“Me too. Especially that one.”
I looked back at Will, who was giving Anthony a hearty handshake with one hand, balancing the containers of leftovers with the other. He was guarding them like military secrets.
My gaze returned to Faith. Her expression softened as she smiled. “Enjoy it, Saidah. He loves you more than anything, and you deserve all of that love. Let him show it. All the way through that vacation in Jamaica.”
“I knew you couldn’t hold back your saltiness.” I smirked, then plopped a kiss on her cheek. “Thanks for your help. I know you were a huge part in orchestrating today.”
She nodded. “It was the only reason I would let Jay back in my house. I’m happy for you, honey. You deserve a happily ever after. And besides,” she said, leaning in so only I could hear her. “How awesome is it that Jay had to watch you get engaged to his brother while he sits next to a woman that only came back to him because his business turned around?”
Her eyebrows did a little dance when she pulled back. Then we burst into laughter.
“That’s the most awesome part. I’ll let you know we made it to Jamaica; our flight tomorrow is crazy early.”
“You don’t worry about me at all. Just let that man spoil you and enjoy yourself. I hope you find what you need there.”
“We ready?” Will asked, coming up beside me. “Coco is probably doing the potty dance.”
I slipped my hand into Will’s and nodded. “Pretty sure I already found what I need.”
“Thank you for today.”
“Oh, no baby. Thank you for today. I’ve never been so nervous in my life.”
We’d come home and changed clothes and were comfortably perched on the couch with the dog and some spiked hot chocolate and a few slices of Faith’s pound cake. The fireplace was lit and so was the tree and all the lights and the angels, too. My condo was so festive, it was ridiculous.
“There was no need to be nervous. I knew just like you did. I just needed a little time, was all.”
“What a difference a year makes, right? I only came to dinner to make sure my brother didn’t drive into a tree.”
“And I only came to dinner because Faith tricked me.”
“And all it took was me and you being in the same room.”
“Do you believe in fate? Or destiny?”
“Hmmm.” Will mused, then dipped his head to brush his lips across mine. “I didn’t used to. I’m a logical person. But I think I have to, now.”
“Me too, baby. Me too.”
“I know I put you on the spot, in front of your friends, my family. You’re welcome to back out, you know.”
I lifted my left hand, gazing at my ring and how it sparkled so brightly in the lights from the tree. “You’ll pry this ring from my cold, dead hands, Will Hunter. I love you, I’m marrying you, I’m having your babies and we will be happy for the rest of our lives. Got it?”
“Got it,” he said, laughing. “And this trip to Jamaica… are you going to be okay?”
“Yeah. I’ll be great. In fact, I was thinking…”
I twisted in his arms so I could face him and grabbed one of his hands. “Let’s treat this as a… a prelude to a honeymoon. A celebration. I don’t want to think about their last vacation or see where they took their last photo. I’m done with all of that sadness, with keeping things inside because I feel guilty about being happy, being so stupid in love. I want to celebrate us in the same place they celebrated. That’s it.”
Will nodded slowly, letting me know he’d been thinking the same thing.
“My brother is still an asshole, even when he’s sober.” I groaned. AA was helping, but I still couldn’t believe I ever fell for him. “But if it wasn’t for him, we would have never met. And I never would have had the chance to be this happy.”
I picked up our glasses and handed Will’s to him, then clinked mine against his in a toast.
“Here’s to finding unexpected love and happiness.”
It's been a minute since a book kept me up all night reading but I could not let this one go.
Reviewer
Well-written, great story line...highly recommend.
Reviewer
Well worth the time spent, engaging story line with a couple of interesting twists.
Reviewer
DL White has done it: written a wonderful book about fr
iendship and all its foibles in such a way that you don't want the book to end.
Kim, Kim Talks Books
Some may recognize parts of this book from a short posted on my website around 2015. The story niggled at me, because it didn’t really have a conclusion. I was supposed to be working on a different project but I couldn’t get Saidah and Will out of my mind, so I finally pulled it down and started filling out the story. It’s still a short! But it’s a happy holiday story that I hope you’ll love.
Many thanks to my Betas for being willing to read through the drafts and seeing the diamond in the rough (if y’all only knew what a mess my stories were before the Betas get a hold of them!) to make this short shine the best it can for the readers. You are much appreciated and I cannot do this without you!
Thanks also to my fellow author #frans, especially my Atlanta writer’s group, who help me to be a better Writing Ass Writer.
Thank you for reading this novel and I hope you enjoyed it! If you’re interested in other books I’ve written, you can the list below:
Brunch at Ruby’s
Dinner at Sam’s: A Ruby’s Novel (Ruby’s 2)
Same Time Next Week
A Thin Line
Beach Thing
Leslie’s Curl & Dye
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