by E K Woodcock
Something on the ground catches my eye and I look at it. It's a wrapped up painting of sorts. I look at Jake and lift a questioning eyebrow.
Jake shrugs. "At least, I didn't get her a lucky bamboo. What is this, a housewarming party?"
"Hey, these things are popular for new businesses and relationships. It's a one stone, two birds deal," I say, defending my decision.
"It's a stone of a deal all right. Don't you like this woman? Don't you want to—" he does a pumping motion with his hands "—you know…?"
My mom chimes in, "Don't censor yourself on our account, Jake. I've known you since you were in diapers."
"It appears your son has lost all sensibility, Anne; he's got his girlfriend a plant that literally screams, 'Good luck to you and hope you can pay the bills.'"
My mother doubles over with laughter. "Yes, yes he has. And I can't wait to see what Skylar will have to say about that."
The party is going swimmingly.
Trevor’s pushing appetizers out left, right and center, and it all looks delicious. A couple of last-minute servers I hired are carrying trays of food and various kinds of wines. There's the happy clatter of cutlery hitting plates and the ringing of the wine glasses as my closest family and friends chat with each other and toast to me. There's soft classical music playing in the background along with the crackling sound of burning wood from the fireplace.
Even my parents made it from the island and are staying with me for a few days. I'm extra excited to introduce them to Carter and Everly. I'm sure my mother will be an instant fan of them both. I can even see the possibility of a great friendship between Anne and my mother.
I look around my store in awe. This was my dream for so long and now it's finally happening. I take in all the sounds and smells. The view in front of me is out of a fairy tale. It's almost like we fell right into a Christmas story and are living in it.
When I got into my shop this afternoon, Angie and her team had already left for the day. Angie had left the spare key I had given her with Trevor, promising to return before the actual opening and Santa event tomorrow evening.
My ceiling-to-floor mahogany bookshelves are lit up with garlands on the sides, and they connect in the middle with a red bow. The sliding ladder has been decorated in tinsel. This entire scene is begging for me to have a Belle in Beast's library moment, and it takes everything in me not to just run and jump on my sliding ladder and have a moment.
There is a lit-up garland on the fireplace, and three argyle stockings hang off the beautiful Santa and reindeer themed stocking holders. There are mock presents poking out of each one of them. The dark surface of the bar is decorated similarly, both simple and elegant. At each end of the bar, there's a copper lantern with a white candle surrounded by berries and pinecones.
The corner window is covered with fake, sparkly snow on the bottom, and they added red and black checkered curtains that part in the middle and are held open by red sparkly bows. On each side of the window is a brown leather lounge chair and in the middle is the fantastic Christmas tree decorated with rose gold and dark silver ornaments. At every ledge, there's a mistletoe, and at the entrance, there's a bell that rings each time someone walks through the door, and the sign above the bell says, "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings."
I’ve heard that bell ring many times tonight, and each time it hasn't been who I was hoping. Now when it rings at last, it's the two faces I've been dying to see all night. My little Cinderella and Prince Charming have finally arrived at the ball.
Everly makes a beeline to me, looking around in complete admiration. "Skylaw, awe we in a Chwistmas movie?"
I smile at her. "This is my new store; do you like it?"
She jumps up and down. "I love it. My daddy told me Santa will be here tomowwow. Can I come and make a wish?"
"You are always welcome here, pretty princess. You look fantastic." I lean down and give her a kiss on the cheek, which makes her squirm and giggle.
I look up from where I’m talking with Everly and catch Carter's eyes on me. He's looking at me like he's a hunter, I'm the prey, and he'd just like to catch me and devour me. I blush under his gaze, and he smirks at me.
Gosh, I thought he looked good in a pair of jeans before, but now, seeing him in a suit, is there anything this man can't wear?
He stalks toward me, very slowly, deliberately taking his time. "Skylar, the place is beautiful. But nothing beats your beauty tonight."
Someone behind him yells, "Cheeseball!" and we all burst into laughter.
When I finally start to calm down from my fried nerves and his comment, he looks at me and points up. Just like I suspected, we have somehow managed to move right under a mistletoe.
"It’s bad luck not to kiss while under a mistletoe," he says, his eyes shining with mischief.
"Is that so?" I say, rising to my tiptoes and giving him the sweetest of pecks on his cheek.
He looks taken aback but he plays along. He smiles while wagging his finger at me. "Oh, you," he says with wonder in his voice.
I smile in return and he motions for me to follow him. "Let's find Jake and Jen and introduce these two crazy kids."
Just as I'm about to agree, Bridget chimes in, "You're a few minutes too late on that, guys."
"Hmm, how so?"
Bridget points to a corner of the shop, and there, under the same mistletoe we stood under a few minutes ago, we see Jen and Jake in a Hollywood movie embrace, locked together at the lips. He's got her dipped in his arms, one of her legs half-bent at the knee, sticking out behind her. There's no force on earth that could break them apart. Everyone breaks into hooting and hollering and clapping for the little show they’re putting on and they finally come up for air.
Once they break apart, Jen quickly beelines to me, pulls me in behind the bar, and informs me that she needs a drink and needs it now.
"You don't need a drink. Just spill. What the heck just happened?"
Just as I’m about to start on my third degree, Bridget joins us and wiggles her eyebrows. "Yes, do tell."
"All right, cool your jets, both of you!” she huffs and motions for me to get her drink ready. “He came and said, 'I haven't been able to take my eyes off you,’” she lowers her voice to imitate Jake’s deep voice, “and he pulled me under the damn mistletoe. Before I could even protest or ask his name, I was dipped by strong arms and deliciously full lips were on mine."
A new voice joins us. "Deliciously full lips, huh?" You can hear the smirk and the confidence in his voice.
Jen turns around, composes herself, and levels up to him, giving him a dangerously sweet smile. Just as he's about to return the smile and antagonize her a little more, she slaps him across the face. "Next time, buy me a drink first." And with that, she struts away.
Bridget and I chuckle at the open-mouthed, dumbfounded look on Jake's face. "What just happened? I thought she said my lips were delicious."
Shaking her head with a smile etched on her lips, Bridget pats him on the back. "Next time, buy her a drink first." She winks as we both walk away.
Finally, I locate my parents in the corner, sipping their wine, in deep conversation about God knows what. "Hey, guys, how are you feeling?”
They smile warmly at me. My mom beams. “Oh, we’re great, Sky. This place is amazing.”
I feel like a child in need of her parents’ approval and can’t stop myself from saying, “Really, do you like it? I tried to keep your legacy alive." I point to the bundle of sage I hung on top of the bar.
She looks at me with watery eyes. "Skylar, I couldn't be prouder. I'm so happy for you and can't wait for the official opening tomorrow. Now, point us in the direction of your man friend and all will be good."
Tonight is the night all my dreams come true. My parents are here with me, are happier than a pig in dirt, and are so proud of me, it shows on each of their faces. I smile at both and give them a hug. My dad, who is usually quiet
and awkward in social situations, gives me a one-armed hug in return. “Stop trying to buy time. We won’t put the third degree on him too much.”
I smile at the mischievous look on my father’s face. "All right, you guys, let's go. There are a few people I'd like you to meet."
I guide them away from where they were standing and lead them to where I saw Anne and Everly. "Anne, Everly, these are my parents, Jolene and Miles." I point to my parents.
Anne immediately goes to my mother and gives her a big hug. "It's so very nice to meet you, Jolene. I've heard nothing but great things. In the short time that I've gotten to know Skylar, I want to tell you she's an outstanding human."
To my amazement, my mother blushes and smiles at her. "Oh, well, we did what we could."
Anne chuckles. "Don't we all. This here is Everly, my Carter's little girl." She points toward Everly.
"Hi," she says shyly and hides behind Anne's legs. My mother goes down to eye level with Everly and gives her a candy cane she brought with her.
"Now you're in her good books for sure." Carter joins us, putting his arm around my back.
My mother stands up and holds out her hand. "You must be Carter. I'm Jolene, Skyler's mother."
He takes her hand in his and gives the back of her hand a small peck. "Enchanted, Jolene."
"True to the nickname of Prince Charming, I see," my mother says, and I want the ground to open and swallow me whole.
Carter gives me an amused look and doesn’t push the subject any further right now, but the glint in his eyes promises a different story. He nervously leads me to another corner of the store where we can be alone, leaving behind the embarrassing story exchanges our parents are sharing.
From where we’re standing, I look around and take in all the happiness and excitement running through everyone's faces. Carter looks at me with adoration in his eyes. "I'm so proud of you, sweetheart. This wasn’t easy to accomplish but look at what you've done in such a short amount of time."
With that, he reaches over to where his coat is, grabs a plant, and gives it to me. "I know it's not something big, but the flower shop girl said a lucky bamboo is for new businesses. It's supposed to bring luck and prosperity."
"Oh, you didn’t need to do that Carter, but thank you.” I really don’t believe in plant-based luck but appreciate the gesture anyway. It’s a beautiful plant. “I’ll put it by the register, hope that it’ll bring prosperity.” I wink and smile at him.
"You're welcome," Carter says, returning my smile.
We see the dynamic trio of Jen, Jake and Bridget staring at us and snickering between the three of them. Jen and Jake have finally warmed up to each other. I mean, how could they not after that Hollywood-esque kiss they shared in front of the entire store? And Bridget keeps disappearing somewhere every half an hour or so and coming back with swollen lips and messed up hair.
I point at Bridget. "What do you think? Trevor and Bridget?"
"Easy there, Miss Matchmaker. Nothing’s going on between those two. They've known each other since they were three," he says with the confidence of an older brother who thinks he knows everything in his little sister’s life.
"Oh, honey, you're so blind if you actually think there’s nothing going on there.” I chuckle and point at Bridget again to emphasize my point. “Have you noticed your sister has been disappearing and coming back looking rather disheveled?"
He lifts an eyebrow. "You're out of your mind. Nothing’s going on. Hey, Bridge, come here a second," he yells across the store.
Bridget slowly makes her way over. "And how did the bamboo go?"
I give a little smile. In the short time that I've known this woman, she's slowly becoming one of my favorite people on earth.
"That's not why I called you here for.” He avoids the question masterfully. “What's going on between Trevor and you?"
It’s Bridget's turn to defer. "Just checking on the food, man. Chill."
Carter turns to me. "See, nothing’s going on. She’s just keeping an eye out for you."
I give Bridget a look. "Mhm, sure." Then I turn to Carter. "I forgot to mention, I have a little gift for Everly I wanted to give her tonight. Would that be all right with you?"
"Absolutely, that's fine."
I find Everly standing with Anne and my mother. "Hey, Ev, can I borrow you for a minute? I have a special gift for you."
"Okay," she says and follows me.
I go behind the bar to get my purse and take a little box out of it. "Come on, let's go by the tree."
I point to the angel sitting on top of the tree. "It’s like the angel is watching over us, making sure we’re all safe.” I smile down at her. “It's our guardian angel"
She nods. "Yes, it's so pwetty," she says with a dreamy look on her face.
I open the box and her eyes sparkle with excitement. Inside is an angel necklace on a thin chain. I briefly considered real gold but decided on the less expensive gold-plated necklace just in case she lost it. That way, it won’t be as big of a deal.
"This angel is just like that one on the tree, but this angel is so much more special.” I choke up with emotion. “I got this for you because since the day I met you, my life changed for the better. You are my guardian angel."
She smiles at me and picks the little necklace out of the box to get a better look at it. "Can you put it on me, Skylaw?"
"Of course, honey, but before I do that, I want to show you something else on it, too." I turn the necklace over to show her at the back of the angel where I got both our names engraved and the date we've met. "Now turn around and hold your hair up."
She does as instructed, and I fasten the little necklace around her neck. She happily runs to Anne to show her, then to Bridget and my mom. Before she can get to Carter, he makes his way to me with storm clouds dancing in his eyes.
I see red when she pulls out that angel necklace and fastens it around Everly's neck. Who does she think she is? What is she trying to do, replace Everly's mother? How dare she.
I see Everly heading toward my mother and Jolene. She's smiling from ear to ear. I look at Skylar. She's watching Everly with pure love in her eyes, but all I see is an intruder in our lives, someone trying to replace my child’s dead mother, and I can't hide my anger.
Before Everly can make her way to me, I lock my gaze on my target and start walking toward her. She must have felt watched or had an intuition that someone was heading toward her because she looks up and sees me approaching. The look of pure joy and happiness on her face turns into confusion at my look and mood.
I get closer to her, and she has the audacity to smile at me. "Hi."
I motion toward the kitchen with my head. “Not here!” I growl at her.
Once we get in the kitchen, I see Bridget and Trevor locked at the lips, and my betrayed soul gets another kick to the genitals. I can’t contain my emotions anymore. Skylar was right about Bridget and Trevor, and the fact that Bridget didn’t tell me herself hurts me even more, but I can't deal with them now. I make a guttural sound that breaks them apart. Bridget looks like a deer in headlights while Trevor is looking anywhere but my face.
“Leave the kitchen, please. Skylar and I have something to discuss,” I spit out with a resigned huff of air, then I turn on Skylar. "What do you think you’re doing?" I yell through clenched teeth.
The anger that’s radiating through me catches her off guard. She tries to touch my arm, but I pull away, still waiting for her to answer my question.
There’s a wounded, confused look on her face when she responds, "What do you mean? What did I do?"
"Don’t act dumb. You know exactly what you did! Was this whole thing a joke to you?" There’s no containing my feelings anymore. I get in her face. When she tries to reach out and touch my arm again, as if a touch can calm me down, I lift my hand. “Don’t touch me! Just answer me this, did you have fun playing your little games with us?”
"I.. I—I don
't understand, Carter. Please tell me what's gotten you so upset," she stammers, too shocked and hurt to string words together.
I shake my head and take a step back from her. "And to think I liked you enough to invite you into my life." There are unshed tears gathering in her eyes, but I keep going. I'm on a roll now, and I can't stop myself. "Did you think you could replace Everly's mother? Do you think because you gave her a stupid angel necklace, you would be the one to watch over her now?"
Her eyes get as big as saucers. "That's not what that gift was about, Carter."
I start walking away and she follows.
"Stop,” she pleads. There is a prayer in her voice, but I've had it with this conversation. “Listen to me, please."
As I turn my back on her and walk out of the kitchen, I realize the party has stopped, and everyone's now watching us.
Everly has tears in her eyes. My mom and Bridget are just shaking their heads at me in disappointment. Jake just shrugs. I don't even bother looking at Skylar, I'm so angry at her for trying to take Willow's place in Everly's life. I pick Everly up, and as she kicks and screams at me, I motion to both my mother and Bridget. I turn around and leave the store. The last thing I hear is her voice.
"Carter," she calls with so much yearning, but I leave anyway.
Who would have thought a night that started with so much promise would end in so much disappointment and sorrow?
I turn the car on and let the ladies get in while I clean the snow off. Willow always loved freshly fallen snow and how hypnotizing it is. Tonight, while I clear it off my car, I have only the feeling of resentment toward the snow, toward everything. I'm not even sure what I'm upset about anymore, but I’m not ready for the conversation that’s waiting for me in the car either.
I take a deep breath, prepare for the battle, and get in the car. As I expected, there's a deep feeling of disappointment radiating from both my mother and Bridget. Everly is upset beyond words and is silently crying on my mom’s lap.