The Date Before Christmas: A Novel

by Elyse Douglas

  Downstairs, Paul opened the taxi door for her as she climbed inside and told the driver where she was going. Paul lingered, not wanting to let her go, afraid he might never see her again.

  “I will miss you, Dina. Take care of yourself.”

  Dina peered up at him, and the snow that swirled around him. “Thank you, Paul. I had the best time of my life. I’m exhausted, and I want to sleep for two days straight, but I had a great time. Thank you, and Merry Christmas.”

  Paul backed away. “Yes… Merry Christmas, Dina.”

  He closed the door, and then she was gone, the taxi’s red tail lights fading into the wintery night. Paul turned, dejectedly, and shambled off down 34th Street, disappearing into the scrim of snow.

  EPILOQUE

  On New Year’s Eve, Gallagher’s Restaurant was filled to capacity, the bar cheery and boisterous, with standing room only. In the restaurant, clusters of colored balloons were tied to the backs of chairs, and they swayed lazily whenever a server passed or slithered between the tables to take or deliver orders. Streamers, noisemakers and whistles were placed at each table setting, party music thumped through the speakers, and sparkling wine and Champagne flowed freely.

  Dina Lee and Patti Clifford once again gathered at the back server station to enter orders, to rest and to banter. Dina glanced at her server pad, then tapped the order into the computer.

  “Busier than last year,” Patti said, blowing the bangs from her eyes. “The money will be good tonight, and I’ll be able to pay off some of my Christmas debt.”

  Dina stared at the screen, concentrating. “Christmas seems like months ago. It feels like I dreamed that whole vacation, like it never really happened.”

  “Any word yet?”

  “Word from who?”

  Patti smacked her lips, placing a hand on her hip. “Word from who?” Patti repeated, mockingly. “Don’t play stupid, Dina. You know who. You’ve been talking about him for a week. Why doesn’t he call? He hasn’t texted since Christmas. Why are men such a pain in the ass? Remember?”

  “Let’s not go there, Patti. Not tonight. It’s too crazy busy out there, and I can’t let myself think about it.”

  “So, he hasn’t texted or emailed or called and this is New Year’s Eve.”

  Dina turned, sharply. “No, okay. No, he hasn’t. Now let’s drop it.”

  “You told him you needed time, so he’s giving you time.”

  “That doesn’t mean he can’t get in touch with me. I didn’t mean that. I didn’t mean don’t at least stay in touch. I mean, what is that?”

  Dina pushed the wrong entry. She squinched up her face in irritation. “Damn! See, I’m all messed up now. I entered chicken instead of steak.”

  “Is that your friend’s order? The French woman and her boyfriend?”

  “Yes, her name’s Veronique. She lives in San Francisco. He lives in Paris.”

  Patti ventured a look into the dining room to see Veronique and Guillaume sitting near the front window, Guillaume holding Veronique’s hand, gazing dreamily into her eyes.

  “He’s good looking.”

  “Not my type,” Dina said, “but Veronique likes him, and he came all the way from Paris to meet her here, and she came from San Francisco to see me, and to meet him.”

  “He came all the way from Paris?” Patti asked.

  “Yep. That’s the French for you. They’re true romantics. They let you know how they feel, and they don’t hold anything back like American men do.”

  “She’s giving him a dirty look.”

  “Yeah, well she always does that. I think all French women do that to pretend they don’t care. I should have done that with Paul.”

  “I think you did. That’s why he hasn’t gotten in touch.”

  “Will you stop it, Patti?” Dina said, backing away from the computer. “Your turn.”

  Patti began tapping away. “So why don’t you text him like I told you to do three days ago?”

  Dina looked away, folding her arms. “Like I said, he’s the man. If he wants me, he should contact me.”

  “Old school, Dina. I don’t mean this the way it sounds, or maybe I do, but you probably pissed him off. I mean all the guy did was give you the vacation of a lifetime, declare he’s falling love with you, and ask you to stay with him in New York. He’s rich, handsome and smart, and you just walked away and left him standing in a snowstorm. Nice, Dina.”

  Dina felt the rise of anger. “Okay, Patti, can we just drop this? It’s not helping. Not helping at all.”

  Patti lifted her hands in surrender. “Well, excuse me.”

  Dina glanced toward the dining room. “I just got another table.”

  “By the way, Dina, did I tell you I went ice-skating the other night? You remember Mom gave me ice skates for Christmas?”

  “Yes, of course I remember. I was there, and they are good ones. Expensive.”

  “I keep thinking about what that sidewalk Santa said to me the night you bought your tree. You remember? I asked him for ice skates and he said I’d get them.”

  “Yeah, I remember that.”

  “Well, it just goes to show you that you better be careful what you wish for. You may get it.”

  Dina thought about Mrs. Terry. She would have to go see her and tell her what had happened. She had promised, after all. But then, Dina’s story didn’t have an ending yet, did it?

  “Makes you want to believe in Santa again, doesn’t it?” Patti said, but Dina didn’t hear her. She was lost in her own thoughts.

  And then Dina glided back into the dining room, presenting her familiar smile and courteous manner, masking a mounting anxiety. In the week since she’d returned, she’d become aware that the vacation had changed her in small and large ways. She felt expanded inside, more aware of what made her tick and, more importantly, what made her love. She realized that the life she’d been living was a small one, a fearful one, an indefinite one and an immature one. Now, the careful, protected life no longer seemed sustainable or even attractive. It seemed sad and pathetic. She would have to initiate some kind of change, and if she never heard from Paul again, she’d have to take another chance at meeting someone and developing a relationship. Right now, that didn’t appeal to her in the least. Right now, all she could think about was how much she missed Paul. How much she’d loved his voice, his hint of a smile, his warm and close embrace. She missed him so terribly, because she had fallen in love with him.

  As she weaved in and out of the tables, alive with celebration, she saw something was out of place. It caught her attention. She swung her hesitant eyes toward a little table stuffed in the corner, near the window. Who had put that there? And then, as if the fog had cleared and the sun poured in, she saw him.

  She stopped, staring in pleasant confusion. It was Paul, dressed in a gorgeous dark suit and white shirt, wearing the green silk floral tie with matching handkerchief she had bought him in Rome. He made an apologetic face that captured an attractive playfulness, an expression she’d never seen before. Then he smiled with a shrug of a shoulder. Dina let the moment settle before she started over, wild excitement and relief energizing her.

  She drew up to his table, locked her hands behind her back and drank in his masculine, so very welcomed face.

  “Happy New Year, Dina.”

  She lowered her soft eyes on him. “I don’t believe it. You’re here.”

  “Apparently. I couldn’t stay away any longer, so again, Happy New Year.”

  Dina felt her entire body awaken, like it was early spring. “Happy New Year to you, Mr. Paul Michael Alexander. You know, you’re sitting at a very small table in the worst part of the restaurant.”

  “And I was lucky to get it. I tipped the manager handsomely.”

  She glanced about. “Well, Gallagher’s isn’t a café in Paris, is it?”

  “No, but I like the place. It holds great memories for me. It has a good vibe, the food’s not bad—could be improved, for sure, but that can be done—it
makes money when many restaurants are going under, and I’m crazy about the waitress.”

  Dina felt a swelling joy. Inside, she felt the collapse of walls, the toppling of fences and old barriers. She felt free, crazy happy and in love.

  “I’m so glad you came, Paul.”

  “You said you needed time and, given the circumstances, I understood that. I respected that.” Paul gave her an earnest look. “Have you had enough time to think about things?”

  She held his tender stare. “Yeah… I’ve had enough time.”

  Paul straightened. “Well, then, I have a proposition for you.”

  A smile lit up her face. “I like the sound of that,” Dina said, with a flirtatious squint and purse of her lips.

  “Not that kind, although I won’t take that off the table. However, I’ve spent the past week thinking it over and I’ve decided that I’d like you to come to work for Imperium.”

  His words hung in the air, waiting.

  “Well, what do you say, Dina Lee? We’re growing and we need another good PR person, and I know you’d be perfect. You have the people skills, the looks and the confidence. I’ve watched you and noticed the easy way you settle into any new experience, and the easy and attractive way you meet new people. You like people and they like you. You’re a natural for the job. We can also work it out that you finish your degree. That would be a win, a win for you and a win for Imperium.”

  Dina stared numbly, eyes blinking but not seeing. It seemed like she’d fallen into another fantastic dream.

  Just then Charlie Taylor came over in a huff. “Dina, you need to get back to your tables. People are asking for you.”

  Dina didn’t respond or even look at him. Her eyes were locked straight ahead. She’d love to take the job. She knew she’d be good at it, and the fact that she could finish her degree thrilled her.

  “Did you hear me, Dina?” Charlie barked. “Now, Dina. Not tomorrow. This is New Year’s Eve, for God’s sake.”

  Paul spoke up, not aggressively, but politely. “Excuse me, sir, what is your name?”

  Charlie made a little face of annoyance. “I’m Charlie Taylor, sir. I can take your order if you like. Have you looked over the menu?”

  “Mr. Taylor, I realize you probably haven’t heard the latest news regarding this restaurant, so I will tell you. My name is Paul Alexander, and I am the new owner of Gallagher’s. I’m looking forward to working with you. I won’t always be here personally, but I will check in on you from time to time to see how things are going.”

  Charlie’s eyes widened in suspicion, and then alarm. “Alexander? Paul Alexander?”

  “Yes, Paul Alexander. Your father and my people closed the deal a few days ago. He said he was going to tell you all about it this morning.”

  Charlie swallowed, and his Adam’s apple moved. “Yes…Mr. Alexander. Yes, he did say he’d sold the place to a…Mr. Alexander.” Then Charlie gulped. “Well, then, I should get back to work. Then it’s all good, isn’t it?”

  Paul stood, extending his hand. Charlie’s hand jutted out and they shook.

  Paul continued. “In the next few weeks, we’ll be sending you off to management training, Charlie, so you can polish up on your people skills. We’re going to be expecting a lot of good things from you, Charlie.”

  Charlie forced a tense smile. “School? Management school?”

  “You’ll learn a lot, Charlie.”

  Charlie’s frozen smile turned into a kind of painful wince. “Yes. Good. Well, like I said, I’d better get back to work, Mr. Alexander.”

  “Good man,” Paul said.

  After Charlie retreated, mopping his brow with a napkin, Paul returned to his seat, and Dina placed her hands on her hips. “Was that for real? Did you really buy this place?”

  “Yes. I’m a business man. I looked at the numbers and the location, not far from a ski resort in a good town with many growth possibilities and, yes, I made an offer and Mr. Arthur Taylor took it.”

  Dina stared in amazement. “I don’t think I know you at all.”

  “Yes, you do, Dina, and hopefully we’ll get to know each other even better.”

  Paul reached into his pocket and drew out a red velvet ring case. He set it on the table before her.

  Dina stared at it. “What’s that?”

  “Open it.”

  She reached for it, tentatively.

  “Go ahead, it won’t bite you. I might bite you, but it won’t,” he said with a playful grin that showed teeth.

  Dina picked it up and opened it. Her eyes widened on an emerald-cut diamond center stone, accented by two tapered baguette side stones in a delicate platinum setting.

  She raised her stunned round eyes to him, and they filled with tears.

  Paul gave her a gentle smile. “It’s an engagement ring, Dina. I hope you’ll accept it. I hope you’ll let me spoil you, take you on trips to Paris and London and Pine Village. I hope you’ll let me love you for always. I know we’ll be happy together. We were so happy in Paris, Rome and New York, weren’t we?”

  Dina’s lips trembled and tears streamed down her cheeks. Paul stood up, and with his linen napkin, he gently wiped away her tears.

  He looked at her lovingly. “Do you need more time to think about all that I’ve said, Dina? More time to think about the job? More time to think about us?”

  Dina gathered herself. She heaved out an emotional sigh, giving him a firm, determined look. Then she set the engagement ring down on the desk and faced him.

  “Oh, shut up, Mr. Smith, and kiss me.”

  And he did kiss her, wrapping Dina in his arms, as she stood on tip toes in her flats. Heads turned, bodies twisted around, and chairs scooted back, until the entire restaurant was watching the lovers in surprise and joy. Soon, all of Gallagher’s was on its feet, applauding and whistling.

  Guillaume seized Veronique’s hand and yanked her to her feet. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. This time, she didn’t resist. She fell into his arms easily, offering him her moist pouty lips.

  Paul and Dina disengaged for a moment. They glanced about Gallaher’s in a glassy-eyed dreamy surprise, lost in a lovely fog of delicious sensation. They shrugged, embraced and fell into another long, entrancing kiss that brought back memories of Paris days, Rome adventures, and passionate New York nights.

  Outside, snow was falling, dusting the roof of Paul’s glossy black limo. Standing outside and leaning back against it, sipping from a thermos of hot chocolate, was Paul’s chauffeur, Clark Timmons. He peered through the wide plate glass restaurant window, observing, with a satisfied smile, the standing, applauding guests and Paul and Dina locked in a warm embrace.

  All’s right with the world, he thought, as he gazed skyward, feeling the flecks of snow tickle his face. His wife was on the way. They’d be celebrating the new year together at a table Paul had reserved for them.

  It’s going to be a very Happy New Year, Clark thought, and no doubt, he’d soon be able to spend more time with his wife. Why? Surely, a honeymoon was coming.

  The End

  Thank you for taking the time to read The Date Before Christmas. If you enjoyed it, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review. Word of mouth is an author’s best friend and it is much appreciated.

  Thank you,

  Elyse Douglas

  Other novels by Elyse Douglas that you might enjoy:

  The Christmas Diary

  The Other Side of Summer

  The Christmas Women

  The Christmas Eve Letter (A Time Travel Novel)

  The Summer Letters

  The Christmas Town (A Time Travel Novel)

  www.elysedouglas.com

 

 

 
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