by Amy Brent
“Hey Remy, how are you?” Emmet looks at me as if nothing between us ever happened, and I force myself to act the same.
“It’s getting busier the closer we get to Christmas.” I tell them, speaking mostly to Jake. “Maybe you can convince my boss to hire a few more hostesses?”
“I’ll bring it up at our next meeting.” Emmet answers. I gave him a small nod and take their order. Jake frowns as I leave a lot quicker than usual, but I can’t stand spending another minute pretending everything was normal.
“Any plans for Christmas?” Jake asks as I bring them their plates. I give a short reply and leave to tend to my other tables.
The twins stay much longer than other customers, chatting with David whenever he gets a moment to sit with them.
“Ay, why are you giving the twins the silent treatment?” Camila asks.
“Girl, mind your own business.” I snap. She sighs and rolls her eyes, calling me a drama queen as she goes back to her tables.
At the end of the day only six tables remain, two at Sophie’s, three at Camila’s, and one at mine, the twins. They’ve been finished with their dessert for a while now and are waiting on David to finish up a call to continue their conversation with him. I refill their beers and let Camila know I’m heading out back to make a call. I bundle myself up and cover my head with a warm hat. Snow falls heavily around me as I dial my dad.
My dad answers on the third call.
“I know I said I’d be in town for Christmas, but I have to change our plans.” He says. I’m more surprised at the disappointed I feel than at his words.
“Yeah, that’s fine. Maybe next year.” We hang up and I lean against the brick wall of the restaurant. Exhaustion hits me like a tornado and my head falls into my hand.
The backdoor opens and close, and Jake stuffs his hands in the pocket of a thick gray coat as he turns to me.
“You’re upset.” He says directly. His head is covered by a knit hat pulled down over his ears, and two tufts of hair peak out over his forehead. “Is it another asshole?” I laugh.
“Isn’t it always?” I say.
“My fist is always available for rent.” He jokes. I shake my head.
“I don’t think you should go punching this asshole.” I rub my hands together, cursing myself for forgetting gloves at home. “It was just a misunderstanding anyways.”
“A misunderstanding?” He raises an eyebrow.
“Yeah. I thought he was interested but it turns out he wasn’t. I don’t know.” I shrug. “I guess I wasn’t good enough.”
He sucks in a sharp breath and stares at the snow at our feet.
“I didn’t realize you were seeing anyone.” Jake goes from conceited rich man to awkward boy in a matter of seconds.
“I’m not. I wasn’t. I was stupid for assuming a guy like that would want me.” The pity in my voice make me wince. I am not a one woman pity party. But Jake takes it way more serious and pulls me into his arms.
“You’re impossible.” He says against my hat. The cold air vanishes, and in the dark sky I can’t see much other than his hard chest. “There isn’t a single guy who wouldn’t want you.”
I look up at his face, at his strong jawline that I’ve been wanting to trace ever since I first saw him. He meets my gaze, and we both breathe heavily beneath the snowfall. His hand presses against the back of my neck and climbs to my ponytail, pulling it and letting my spirals bounce around my head.
“Like that.” He nods, satisfied. “You’re already irresistible enough, but with your hair like that, it’s impossible not to want you.”
“Jake.” I start, but he tightens his hold on me and I’m done trying to guess his motive. I kiss him first, standing on my tiptoes and pressing his body against the wall. He grunts and kisses me harder in return.
At the same time we both realize we’re standing directly next to the backdoor of the restaurant, and he picks me up beneath my knees and carries me around the corner of the building into a dark alleyway. But with Jake’s hands squeezing my thighs and caressing my hair I find that I’m not so scared.
He pushes me hard against a wall, hands sliding up and down my thighs. I feel his muscles flexing as he caresses my body, and I wrap my thighs around his waist. I begin to unbutton his coat and he puts me down long enough to tear it off of him. My jacket and apron joins it in a pile next to our feet, and he begins to unbutton my blouse.
“Remy,” He nibbles on my earlobe. I shiver against the heat of his breath, feeling a wet tingling sensation between my thighs. “I’ve wanted to fuck you the moment I saw you.” He growls.
I don’t waste any time and tear at his belt, throwing it on our pile of clothes. His hand dips beneath my blouse and underneath my bra, cupping me as he traces slow kisses down my neck towards my chest.
My fingers trail down his abs, pressing against them until they slide inside his slacks. His thick rod throbs against my skin, and his moan is throaty and raspy as his tongue licks down my breast and flicks my nipple.
I gasp loudly, but Jake isn’t done. He sucks on it and lightly bites the very edge, and I return by wrapping my hand around his hard cock.
“Fuck.” He murmurs against my nipple. “Fuck Remy.” Jake straightens up and kisses me roughly. His hand pushes my skirt to my thighs, and I cry out against his lips as he strokes me.
I stop caring where we are and what we’re doing. I stop thinking about absolutely everything except for how much I need Jake Kennedy inside of me. I try pulling down his slacks to release all of him, but something in Jake snaps and he pushes himself off of me.
“Jake?” I ask, leaning against the wall. He tugs his slacks back up and fetches his coat, handing me my apron and jacket in the meantime.
“I can’t.” He says. “God, Remy, I want to, don’t think for a second I don’t, but I just can’t.”
I fix my skirt and blouse and put my jacket on. The cold bites at my skin for the first time since Jake wrapped his arms around me.
“Why?” I ask, tears forming in the corner of my eyes. Jake stares at them with an anguished look. “I’d rather you just say you don’t want me. I don’t understand.”
“I just can’t, Remy. I’m sorry.” He tugs on his knitted hat and walks away.
I go back to the restaurant after ten minutes. No one pays much attention to my absence, but I notice both Emmet and Jake are gone. Even in a heated kitchen, their absence still leaves me colder than the snow outside.
Chapter Ten
The closer we get to Christmas the worse my life seems to become. Jake and Emmet both grow distant and request either Camila’s table or Sophie’s. The day after Jake practically ran from me in the alley I overheard David telling the cooks that the twin’s visit will be coming to an end soon. I find out after asking the kitchen staff that Jake and Emmet are planning on signing an agreement on the new restaurant shortly before Christmas, and that they’ll be heading back to California the day after.
I try to pretend it doesn’t bother me, but as I watch Camila throw her hair back and flirt so obviously that it almost hurts, I realize their cold shoulder affects me more than my own father’s. There’s a connection between all three of us and yet they’re choosing to ignore it. There’s such a longing whenever I see them, the same strong lust that blinds me to common sense every time they touch me.
The week before Christmas, in the middle of the third Christmas track that’s been repeated every ten minutes, as David forces all of the staff to wear constricting Santa hats and threw a reindeer nose at me that I promptly gave to Charlie, the Kennedy twins walk in and again sits in Camila’s section. It’s nearly pitch black outside with snow covered roads and they both brush off a dusting as they remove thick winter coats and straighten out expensive business suits beneath.
“Your suitor just arrived.” Sophie says. I look at the twins confused, did everyone see the desire between us? But then Scott walks to my section as the twins leave for Camila’s, and I groan.
“O
h, that suitor.” I say and scoot behind Charlie to get Scott’s beer.
“Big plans for Christmas?” Scott asks. He leans back in his seat and crosses his arms, looking extra cocky tonight.
“Just normal holiday stuff.” I say politely. His hand stops mine as I put his beer down. I pause mid step, wondering how much trouble I would get in if I poured the beer over his crisp button up.
“You’re blushing.” His fingers caress the inside of my wrist. “That’s the reaction I’ve been looking for.”
I glance up to see David scowling at me. Scott is unarguably our biggest customer, and he pays and tips well. Jake peeks our way as well, and it boils my blood.
“Maybe it’s the holiday magic.” I reply and squeeze his hand. He grins and let me go take care of my other tables, but it’s no question that Scott believes I’m somehow attracted to him all of a sudden.
“You know,” Scott begins when I get him his dinner. “I can take care of you.” I frown, not fully understanding.
“Oh, you’re going to pay for my college and rent like a sugar daddy?” I try joking, but Scott nods.
“All that and more.” His arm snakes around my waist as I lift a serving tray over my head and I nearly topple over. “But there’s so many more things I can take care of.”
“Sweetie, I can take care of myself.” I say when it’s obvious he’s taking our flirtation a little too far. Jake’s eyes follow his every movement, grimacing when Scott’s arm tightens around me. I wiggle out of it and tell him I have to get back to work.
I dip into the stockroom near the kitchen to both catch my breath and refill a few salt and pepper shakers. The door behind me opens and close and I ask whoever it is what they need.
“I thought you already knew that.” Scott’s voice is close to my ear. He wraps his arms around my body and fondles my breasts. I try screaming but he covers my mouth. “Shush, Remy. Don’t pretend like you didn’t lead me here.”
I try elbowing him in the stomach but it seems to only excite him more. All I wanted was to make the twins jealous. All I wanted was for them to regret pushing me away. Scott’s hand pushes my skirt up my thigh and I bite his hand.
“Bitch!” He yells and raises it to smack me. I scream only for a moment before the door opens and Scott is thrown off of me.
“You want to call her that again?” Jake yells. He jumps on top of Scott and punches him in the jaw. “Let’s hear it, huh?”
“Jake!” I yell, but Emmet grabs my shoulders and pulls me away. “He’s going to kill him!” I scream when Scott pukes up a mouthful of blood. Emmet shows no remorse in his usually kind eyes when he speaks to me.
“And I’m going to help him.” He joins Jake when Scott lands a blow against his twin’s cheek. Emmet holds Scott’s arms above his head as Jake knees him in the stomach.
David turns the Christmas music louder to mask the agonizing screams of Scott, but the restaurant is already in a panic. Half of the customers yell and take pictures of the fight while the rest run around trying to get away, and the staff all stare in horror as Jake and Emmet team up against Scott.
Red and blue lights appear through the window and sirens mix with the music. Emmet notices them first and nudges Jake, who whispers threateningly in Scott’s ear.
Surprisingly enough, when the cops enter and question a bloody mouthed Scott, he says that the fight was his fault and that the twins were only acting accordingly.
I stay huddled in the corner with Camila as David and the twins speak in hushed tones after the cops leave. Scott rushes out the door after them, refusing to even look in my direction. The rest of the staff ushers customers out with coupons good for half off their entire meal, and the kitchen staff wait for orders.
“Are you okay, chica?” Camila keeps her arms around my shoulders. I nod and watch as the twins leave without so much as a glance.
A broken table and chairs and several shattered glasses lie where the fight had been, and David complains about hiring a company to get the blood out of the carpet before it stains.
“We’re closing the rest of the night.” He yells at us, though he too doesn’t look at me. “Close up as normal and go home. But it’s coming out of your paid time off.” Everyone groans and starts cleaning their section.
“The Kennedys are leaving earlier than planned.” David tells Charlie as I clear my tables. “Of course this happens on the last night they’re here. God damn it, I could lose my job for this.”
“Dave, I don’t think they’re going to replace you because an ass assaulted one of your coworkers.” Charlie frowns at me. Him and Camila seem to be the only ones who fully understand how terrified I was. My hands shake as I stack plates on a tray, and Camila hurries with her tables to help with mine.
But Scott and his roaming hands are the last things on my mind. Jake and Emmet are leaving. I try to imagine my life without them but it seems bland and colorless. The first two guys who’s ever made me feel alive, made me feel anything, are going back home to the other side of the country.
I have to see them one more time.
Chapter Eleven
I work an early shift the next day, counting down the minutes until it ends. David pulls me to the side during a lunch break and apologizes for his reaction last night. His peace offering is letting me leave an hour early and I gladly accept it before he has time to reconsider. I turn my section over to Sophie early and leave while it’s still light outside. I make the long journey to the shops downtown, battling bitter cold weather while holding my gloved hands to my face.
I pull down my tight bun and shake my corkscrews, rolling my eyes when a group of men catcall me from behind. They disperse when I enter a department store and spend some time picking out gifts for my coworkers. Charlie gets a brown hat that’s similar to the one he’s complained about ruining, and Sophie gets nice leather gloves. I purchase generic Happy Holiday mugs for David and the rest of the staff, and spend some time picking something out for Camila. With only four days left before Christmas, I’m absolutely cutting it close. I find a lovely pair of earrings that Camila’s shown me in a catalogue and take them along with the other gifts to be gift wrapped.
While in line I notice a snow globe perched on a tall shelf in the corner of my eyes. It’s a snowy landscape of downtown with Kennedy’s in the very edge before it cuts off. I stop a worker and ask for him to look at it as I put my bundle of presents on the counter.
“Would you like to add that?” The woman wrapping the items ask. The twins are expected to fly out tomorrow according to David, but maybe this can be a decent apology and going away gift.
“Yes, thank you.” She hands me a giant bag of perfectly wrapped presents in colors of green, red and gold, and I hurry to drop all but one off at my apartment.
Afterwards, I call a cab and head to their executive suite. Fortunately, the doorman, Albert, recognizes me and walks me to the elevator.
“The Kennedys got in little over an hour ago.” He says. I meet the floor host after exiting at the forty-eight floor.
“They’re not expecting you, are they?” He asks me and I lift the small bag with their present.
“Just wanted to give them a Christmas gift before they leave. Is that okay?” I regret not fixing my hair or reapplying makeup and rushing here.
“I’m sure they’ll be thrilled to receive you.” He escorts me into the parlor of their suite. “Take a seat and I’ll let them know you’re here.”
I sit in the same corner as before and wait. There are two giant oak doors on either side of the parlor, and for the first time I wonder which side leads to their personal rooms. The present feels small in my hands, making me feel silly for even thinking something as cliche as a snow globe would be good enough for the twins.
“Remy?” My head snaps up as Jake closes the door on the right side. I hadn’t even heard him come in. “What are you doing here?”
“Um.” I stutter over my words, tightening my hold on the present. It’s wrapped in gold
paper with a red bow, but looks cheap compared to the tailored suit that compliments Jake’s body. “I wanted to say sorry.” I say finally. “About last night.”
“You’re apologizing for that asshole?” Jake’s voice raises. Emmet enters the room behind him and raises his eyebrows when he sees me.
“You’re definitely not the Chinese food delivery guy.” He notes.
I stand on uneasy feet and hold out the present. “I’m sorry the restaurant closed early and that the blood ended up being double the price to remove and I’m sorry if I’m not welcomed but I would be even more sorry if I just let the two of you without saying anything. So I’m not sorry that I’m here.”
“Remy,” Jake whispers. He glances at Emmet who shares a knowing look.
“You’re more than welcomed here.” Emmet takes the present from me. His suit rivals Jake’s, and I realize they must have just signed the agreement for the new restaurant. “More than you know.” He says and takes my hand in his as he sits the present down on the banquet table.
“We actually we’re just talking about you.” Emmet says when I’m in between the two.
“You act like we ever stopped.” Jake mutters and takes my free hand. Together they pull me towards the door on the right of the room, which enters into a small hallway that divides another three doors.
“Where the hell are we going?” I ask when they stop.
“We were pissed off yesterday.” Jake admits as he stands in front of the middle door. “But not at you, and after discussing it, that asshole that got a deserving beating wasn’t the end of it.”
Emmet shows me a faint bruise near his chin as Jake pulls his sleeve up to reveal another red and purple spot.
“You guys fought each other?” I nearly laugh. “What’s wrong with you two?”
“You.” Jake says. “Damn it, Remy, you’re what’s wrong with us.” I back up towards the parlor but Emmet moves behind me. His arms wrap around my shoulder and his breath is close to my earlobe.
“We’re both in love with you, and it turns out we both have been holding back.” My hand flies to cover my mouth. His words repeat in my head.