Fabricated Christmas

by Maynard , Glenna

  I find myself smiling at the sight. Kenya was in a bad place for a long time. I’m glad to see her getting back to her old self. The woman I thought I loved once upon a time. Happy and sober looks good on her.

  “Okay. You were right,” Maisy interrupts, and Kenya smiles to herself.

  “Come on kids. Let’s take your pudding to the dining room.”

  “You ready to make a deal?”

  “Your mother tried to set me up with her garbage man.”

  I chuckle. “You want to rethink that whole fake dating thing?”

  “I…” Her tongue darts out and wets her bottom lip. The sight makes my cock twitch remembering how sweet her mouth and the rest of her was Friday night.

  Her words die on my lips as they capture hers in a tongueless but tasteful kiss since we are in my folk’s kitchen.

  “You were saying?” I rub my chin, knowing damn good and well she enjoyed that as much as I did just now.

  “Why did you do that?” she hisses.

  “Well then Bodie, I guess you won’t be needed after all,” I overhear my mother.

  I stare Maisy down. “A simple thank you will do, sweetheart.”

  “Thank you,” she says through her clenched teeth.

  10

  —Finnick—

  Maisy stayed back at my mom’s to help her clean up from the party. I stopped by my office to grab a file for this case I have court for Wednesday. My firm mostly handles small town family stuff. Affairs. Annulments. Paternity stuff.

  “Dad, this isn’t going to work,” Auden sasses at me as she stares at what will be Maisy’s desk.

  Narrowing my eyes at her, I shake my head. “What did you mean by it’s not going to work?”

  She throws a hand out motioning around the room. “Maisy is a girl. She needs a nice office. This is a boy’s office.” She crinkles her nose.

  Folding my arms, I ask, “And what would you suggest?”

  “Well, colorful folders or sticky notes for one thing. Pens. A pen holder. Maybe a label maker, plants, that smelly thing with oils that mom has.” I start going cross-eyed as she speaks.

  “Auden, this isn’t that kind of office.”

  She flops into the worn leather chair behind the desk. “Doesn’t matter, she’s nice, and should be comfortable here. Right? This chair sucks. It’s all hard and it’s peeling.” Her lips spread into a mischievous grin. “I have a great idea. Let’s go shopping, I’ll pick everything out.” Her head bobs up and down.

  “Don’t you have homework or something to do?”

  “Nope,” she pops the P and grins bigger at me. “Come on, Dad. Let’s go. I bet if she shows up and you have everything all nice for her she’ll like you a lot more.”

  Chuckling as I walk to the door, I give in. Kid knows how to work me. “Fine, lead the way, boss.”

  “Awesome, let’s hit up Staples. That way we won’t have to go anywhere else.”

  I hold back a groan. Going into the city, forty minutes away, wasn’t exactly something I planned on doing today, or any day for that matter.

  “Can we get Taco Bell when we’re done?”

  “We’ll see.”

  “This is going to be so much fun. Can I get some stickers and a new notebook? Oh, and I need pencils. Maybe some markers.”

  Perfect. Now my kid wants me to not only shit all my insides she wants all new stuff too. Like she doesn’t already have enough stickers and junk at home.

  Auden gave me command of the shopping cart while she forces me to follow her down just about every aisle in the store. “We done yet, kid?” I don’t think Maisy we need all this shit to answer phones, but what do I know?

  “Just one more thing. You need to get her a new computer, because the one in there now, you’ve had it in there for as long as I’ve been alive, at least.” She’s not wrong. And now I feel like an idiot. That’s something I should have replaced years ago, but my last office girl didn’t complain about it, so I never even thought of it.

  We hit it up Best Buy for the computer after I shelled out two hundred bucks for some damn chair that Auden insisted I buy for Maisy saying how could I expect her to work if she wasn’t comfortable.

  Kid is trying to make me go for broke, but she has a point. The office hasn’t had any upgrades or changes in years. Not since Sean came on to help out after Auden was born.

  Another grand later she has me in Taco Bell telling me about the latest playground gossip. “So Lenny dared Marta to jump off her swing and she stuck her tongue out at him and started swinging higher. Oh man. Anyway, she was determined to prove that girls can do anything boys can but better.”

  I shake my head and shuffle the meat and cheese around in my taco bowl.

  “So, there she was singing, boys come from Jupiter because they are stupider. She went to make her big leap only her skirt got caught on the chain the swing hangs on and she face planted right in the dirt with her Care Bear panties flashing to the whole fifth grade.”

  “Jesus,” I mutter.

  “Right?” She laughs, lettuce flying out her mouth. “Now everyone keeps calling her, underpants bear.”

  “That’s not nice.”

  “No, but it’s funny. She doesn’t care. She just flips her hair and says yeah so what?”

  “Finish your food. It’s getting late.”

  “Can we get a milkshake?”

  “Not tonight. I don’t need you bouncing off the walls when we get home.”

  “Fine.”

  Maisy should be showing up any minute now. I left before she did but could sense movement over the garage when I took Auden to the bus stop. I finish getting the stuff placed on her desk though I’m sure she’ll want to arrange everything in her own way. I don’t know what my problem is, but my stomach keeps flip flopping. I’d like to blame it on last night’s dinner, but I already was up half the night paying homage to the porcelain throne.

  Auden tried to worm her way out of school this morning saying I needed her to set up all the junk we bought and get the computer running.

  I stare at the desk at all the feminine crap wanting to vomit.

  The door chimes. I turn around and my breath catches in my throat at the sight of Maisy. Wearing this form fitting black skirt and white blouse, she smiles at me brighter than the damn sun. “Morning, boss man.” She hands me a bag from Brina’s and a to go coffee cup. “You okay? You look a little pale?”

  “I’m good, thanks,” I grumble, wanting to take her in my office and bend her sweet ass over my desk.

  “What’s all this?” She smirks staring at the new setup.

  “Auden. She thought you’d like new shit.”

  Her fingers trail the top of the new computer monitor. “She did good. Thank you.”

  “Thank the kid.”

  “All right I will next time I see her.”

  I take a sip of the coffee and peek into the bag. “The hell is this?”

  “A bran muffin.”

  “No way. I don’t eat that healthy shit.”

  Maisy drops into the chair and lets out a moan. “This is comfy.” She gives it a spin.

  “Today you’ll mostly be answering the phone and getting a feel for the place. I’ll need you to transfer and update the customer files on the new system. If you run into any trouble, I’ll be in my office. If you get any calls about a new client take down their name, number and the nature of their case. Tell them you will return their call to schedule an appointment. Later you’ll email me a list with their information then I will email you back to let you know who to schedule them for me or Sean.”

  “Got it. Wait. Sean?”

  “My partner. He’s out of town on personal business. You’ll meet him later. You good?”

  “I think so.”

  “Welcome to the team.”

  “Thanks.” My gaze lands on her pretty kissable red lips. “Wilder?” My head snaps up. “Was that it?”

  No. I want to tell her she needs to give me a taste of that sweet tempting
mouth again. “Uh yeah.”

  “You sure?”

  “You getting settled in okay at the apartment?”

  “Yup. Everything is great. Your mom has been a huge help.”

  “I bet she has.” I chuckle. If my mom and all the crazy with Amanda doesn’t send her packing maybe my pursuing her won’t either.

  “Oh and one more thing. I agree to your terms, but I think because we work together and I rent from you we need to have boundaries of what is acceptable and what isn’t when it comes to displays of public affection.”

  “Good.”

  “If I’m going to be your girlfriend, I want treated to dinner at least one night a week. I like flowers. I want to be handled with respect. No gross groping or heavy petting. If we kiss there is to be no tongue involved. We need to keep this as platonic as we can while making our relationship believable. Also I get to be the one who breaks up with you. Most important under no circumstances will we be having sex again ever.”

  I do my best to mask my disappointment, but it’s probably for the best we don’t sleep together. Sex complicates shit. I have enough on my plate navigating Kenya’s shit and sharing custody of Auden with her.

  “If that’s it then I’m going to get started with my day, sweetheart.”

  “Oh. No pet names.”

  “Sure, whatever. You need anything. Well I’ll be in my office. I’ll take you to lunch later.”

  “Sounds great but it doesn’t count as my weekly meal.”

  “Right. Got it.”

  I shuffle down the hallway to my office with my tail between my legs, but every bone in my body aches for me to march back in there and prove that we could make friends with benefits work. Things went south with Amanda because she expected more but with Maisy there are no expectations. Maybe I can bring her around to my way of thinking sooner rather than later.

  11

  —Maisy—

  I look up from my computer finding Wilder staring at me with his permanent scowl. I wonder what made him so grumpy? His divorce? Or is it merely his personality? I confess part of me looks forward to finding out what makes this guy tick. I’ve been working for him a week now and it’s not as bad as I was expecting. Things around here can border the tedious side but watching him squirm whenever he sees that crazy chick is fun.

  “You ready to go?”

  “Give me a second to make a visit to the little girl’s room.” I push back my chair and grab my purse from the bottom drawer.

  “Hurry up.”

  “I will only be a minute or two tops.” He was in court a lot last week, so I rarely saw him. This week things are slower. I move past him and he grabs my wrist. My heart skips a beat when I inhale a good whiff of his cologne. Stupid hormones. That’s all it is. One night of good sex and my body thinks it’s now go time whenever he’s near.

  “In case I forget to tell you later. Thanks for the help with Amanda.”

  “Don’t mention it. You’re helping me out too. Your mom is on a mission to marry me off to every good-looking guy in town.” I smirk and he lets me go.

  In the privacy of the bathroom I give myself a mental pep talk. I can do this. It’s only lunch and coworkers eat together. Sure, Wilder is great in bed but what’s a few kisses to get us both what we want. I like this town and the people make me smile more than I ever did back in New York. I finally found a place where I might fit in. Except for making an enemy my first week here in Amanda but that’s to be expected. I can’t like everyone, and they won’t always like me. It’s a part of life.

  I wash and dry my hands then rejoin Wilder outside the office. He lets out this strangled noise from the back of his throat. I glance across the street and see Louise about to cross the road. I grab Wilder’s hand, and he gives me a funny look.

  “Couples hold hands in public,” I remind him.

  “Right.” He curls his fingers around mine.

  “Well you two seem to be getting along.” His mother eyes our joined hands.

  “Wilder is about to treat me to lunch if you want to join us.”

  The panic on his face makes me want to laugh but I hold it back.

  “Goodness no. I don’t want to intrude. You kids have fun. I’ll be by sometime to discuss our plans for thanksgiving. I won’t take no for an answer.”

  “Okay. Thanksgiving.” My father’s idea of a family Thanksgiving was a catered diner and hosting his rich business partners while I sat in my assigned seat looking pretty.

  “All right. If he’s taking you to Joni’s today’s special is roast beef and gravy. It’s a little dry for my taste. Ha. Ha. Ha.” Her laughter is infectious.

  “Mom, we need to get going or we’re going to miss the special.”

  Her lips tip down. “Well don’t let me keep you. Maisy, it was nice to see you again, dear.”

  “You too, Mrs. Wilder.”

  “Call me Louise.”

  “Bye, Louise.” Wilder tugs me forward, practically dragging me down the sidewalk. “Would you slow down? Geez. Are you starving or something?” I’ve ate there a few times on my own, but last week I packed my lunch almost every day. It’s something I had never done in my life. And well this is my first job. I haven’t told my boss that though. He didn’t ask me for any references. Though I suppose he was desperate to get rid of his stalker at the time.

  “No. I want to get the special before it runs out.”

  “Your mom said it’s not that great.”

  “That’s because it’s the one thing Joni cooks better than her.”

  “Oh. Okay. Do they have a longstanding roast feud I should know about?”

  “Mom and Joni were partners back in the day. They were best friends to be exact.”

  “What happened?”

  “Joni accused Mom of stealing my father out from under her.”

  “Oh my. Go Louise.”

  Wilder rolls his eyes. “It’s not that dramatic. The old man came to town to build a new courthouse. He’d go to the diner for lunch and dinner. He saw my mom and knew she was the one. Asked her out and when the job was done, he decided to stick around and started his own business. Mom and Joni stopped being friends and mom sold her part in the business. After that she married Dad, became a stay at home mom.”

  “It’s a little sad that they lost their friendship.”

  “I guess.” He shrugs and drops my hand to open the door to the diner.

  Joni’s is one of those places when you enter through the door you know you’re welcome there. The décor is what I’d call farmhouse rustic. Tin roosters and signs about fresh eggs. Joni advertises that a lot of her food is made with organic produce and meat from local farmers. My father wouldn’t step foot in the town at all. To him it’d be too country for his taste. I love the homey feel of it all. The home cooked food. The friendly people. They all know each other. I’ve never experienced anything like it.

  Wilder ushers me to a booth by the front window and slides in next to me instead of sitting across from me.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Amanda screeches and slaps two menus down in front of us on the table. “You brought her here?”

  “I honestly didn’t know you work here. I’m just here for the special.”

  “It’s my first day, but I’m ready to come work for you anytime.” She licks her lips. “I was hoping we could talk.”

  His voice drops low as he says, “We’ve already talked, and I’ve already said all I wanted to say. You just don’t fuckin’ listen.”

  “No, you talked, and nothing you said made sense, you wouldn’t even hear me out.”

  “There’s nothing to say. I’m seeing where things take me with Maisy. You need to move on.”

  “We’re meant to be together, Finn. You didn’t even give me a real chance to prove it.”

  Wilder shoots me a look and a minuscule part of me almost feels bad for Amanda. However, we made a deal to help each other, so I need to uphold my end of the bargain. “Look, Amanda. You seem like maybe somewhere
deep, and I mean way down in there you might be a decent person. He doesn’t want to be with you, it’s that simple. Give it up already, desperate is not a good look on you. You could find a man who really wants you if you’d stop chasing the ones who don’t.”

  “No one asked you.” She snatches our menus back and stomps off toward the kitchen without taking our order.

  “That went well,” I note and Wilder squeezes the top of my thigh. My cheeks burn at his touch. I’m going to need to get a handle on my physical reaction to this man. The effect he has on my hormones is insane.

  “I’ll just order at the counter. What do you want to drink?”

  “I’ll take a diet soda. Unless…you don’t think she’d spit in our food, do you?”

  My grumpy fake boyfriend groans. “How do you feel about a sandwich from my kitchen?”

  I grin. “Why don’t we skip lunch and have an early dinner.” I confess the idea of going to his house alone makes me nervous. His bed is there. “Can you cook?”

  “Why? Don’t you?”

  “I kind of grew up with a private chef.”

  “A chef?”

  “Mhmm.”

  “Jesus. What are you doing in Shamrock?”

  “A fresh start. The desire to make a life of my own choosing.”

  “I respect that.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I’ve got Auden this evening but you’re welcome to join us for some tacos. We do tacos every Monday night.”

  “If you don’t think it will be awkward for you.”

  “You’re already next door it’s not a big deal. You’ve got to eat, don’t you?”

  His kid will be there, it’s not like I’ll jump him in front of her. “Okay. I’m in. Should I bring anything?”

  “Just your appetite.” He slides out of the booth and holds a hand out to me. “Let’s grab a coffee from Brina’s to hold us over.”

  “Coffee sounds good.”

  “Not as good as roast beef and gravy,” he grumbles.

  “I’ll make it up to you sometime.”

  “You gonna cook a roast for me?”