"Of course." She nodded and quietly left the table.
"I can't eat until you tell me what is going on," she said, picking at her thumb, a nervous habit she still hadn't outgrown.
I let out a breath and looked at her, unable to decide whether I wanted to share it now or not, but I knew I had to. I reached into my jacket pocket, pulling out the first set of documents Sophie had given me, and passed them over to Lexi without saying anything. She reached across the table and took them from me, opening them as if they contained bad news. She looked them over, flipping between the pages, and then looked at me.
"I don't understand what these are."
"Well, the ones on the top are the sale of our house."
"What? What are you talking about? You sold our house without consulting me?" She was angry, her cheeks reddened, her body taking on a defensive posture.
"I did," I answered, straight-faced.
She stood up and grabbed her coat, throwing it around her shoulders. She grabbed her purse and began to walk out of the restaurant but then turned back, walking over to the table.
"How dare you do that, Andrew. How dare you." She whipped back around and took two steps forward, again stopping.
"Do you not even want to know why I did this?" I called out. I knew she was upset by the way she held her body as she stood there.
It was close to a minute before she finally turned toward me. "I'm curious."
I pulled another set of papers out of my pocket and held them out to her. She slowly stepped forward and removed the papers from the envelope, unfolding them. As soon as she began to read, her face relaxed, and then the tears started to pour. Her hand flew to her mouth. "Is this for real?"
"Yes, Lexi, it’s real." I stood and stepped toward her waiting for her to realize I was telling her the truth.
Finally, she dropped the papers to the ground and crashed into me, wrapping her arms around my neck, kissing me passionately and thanking me profusely.
Epilogue
Alexa - Christmas - One Year Later
* * *
“Jingle Bells” played in the background as I stirred the bowl of cookie batter. I was getting frustrated because it looked nothing like my mother’s.
"This should be dough by now," I murmured as I looked down to the bowl full of watery mess. "Why are you not working!" I screamed to the empty kitchen as I dumped the third bowl of ruined dough into the garbage. What the hell had I been thinking agreeing to host Christmas when we could have went to Hawaii and visited my parents?
I began again, starting in order of the ingredients on the card that I had carefully copied from my mother when the phone rang. I wiped my hands on my apron and picked up the phone. "Hello."
"There's my sexy wife. How's everything going? Everything okay at the house?"
I instantly smiled at the sound of Drew's deep, sexy voice. "Hey, baby, yeah, everything is fine. What time do you think you will be home?" I asked, looking down at the matching wedding band that now accompanied my diamond.
"Should be home around four. Traffic just opened up. It's getting busy in town with all the tourists."
"Great, I can't wait to see you." I giggled into the phone. "Oh, and just so you know, I'm not wearing any panties."
"Lex, you can't do that to me, babe. Play fair."
Drew had been gone for a week back to New York to finish cleaning out his office and tidying things up at the other law office. We had moved to Denver six months ago, after Drew had surprised me by selling his home and buying my parents’ house in secret. The law firm he had been working for opened a branch out here, and Drew was handed the torch to lead this firm. I could still remember the night he presented the documents to me. I had gone through a whole range of emotion within ten minutes of arriving at that restaurant before I finally collapsed into his arms.
"Sorry, baby, but you know I don't play fair," I whispered and then giggled into the phone.
"Yeah, no kidding. Did you hear from your brother?"
"Yeah, he and Ann Marie will be here shortly."
"Great, and your parents?"
"They arrive tonight. Zach already said he and Ann Marie would pick them up from the airport."
"That would be great. Okay, sweetie, I’m off. I'll stop at the grocery store and pick up those items that you asked me to get before I get home. I guess I will see you shortly."
"I can't wait." I giggled into the receiver.
I hung up the phone and continued my venture of watching another damn recipe fail as I added the exact same measurements and ingredients into the bowl, which only resulted in the exact same mess I had before. Frustrated, I walked out of the kitchen and looked out the front window.
I had already re-arranged the furniture in preparation for Zach, Dad, and Drew to get the tree in the morning. I seriously couldn't wait to have everyone here in the house once again. I looked around and quickly straightened the blanket that lay across the back of the couch and fluffed up two of the pillows before wandering back into the kitchen to dump yet another messy mixture of what were to be cookies in the garbage. I placed everything into my new dishwasher we'd had installed and went upstairs to get changed before everyone arrived.
I had just stepped foot into our bedroom when my cell phone rang. I frowned, glancing down at the screen, a soft smile coming to my lips. Finally, I thought. I had been waiting patiently all day for this call.
Drew and I lay in bed. Everyone was all tucked in and probably asleep by now, after a long day of festivities. Surprisingly, my first Christmas dinner had turned out perfectly, with a little help from Mom, and after we had eaten we had gone downtown to the ski lodge. Zach, Drew, and Ann Marie took in the slopes, while Mom, Dad, and I sat in the lodge.
"Did you have a good Christmas?" Drew asked, running his fingers through my hair as my head rested on his chest.
"I did. Even better knowing that you won't have to travel any longer for work." I kissed his shoulder and scooted over in the bed so my body was against his.
Drew had finally finalized everything at the firm he was at and had been given the go ahead to start hiring at this firm here. The first person he asked was Zach. He had agreed to join him in the new year. Ann Marie was so giddy with excitement that she started looking right away for a house in the area.
He pulled me in tighter yet, and I let out a large sigh. "What are you thinking about?"
"I just can't believe it’s been a year. So much has changed. Last year at this time I had packed my bags and was getting ready to board a plane and never hear you out."
"Aren't you glad you got off that plane?" His lips grazed mine.
"I am. I so am."
"So am I." Drew shifted his body down beside mine and pulled me into him, allowing my head to rest flat on his shoulder as his hand cupped my cheek and he kissed me deeply.
"And now look. We are living in my parents’ house, you're about to open and lead a law firm, and my brother is going to join you."
"I know. It’s somewhat unbelievable, to be honest."
"I agree." I rested my hand on his abs and let out a large yawn.
"And all because you got off that plane," Drew whispered, kissing me once again.
"Oh, I also wanted to talk to you about perhaps remodeling one of the spare bedrooms in the spring."
"Oh, sweetie, I don't need a home office. I won't be working like I was back in New York. There just won't be enough work, and if there is, I honestly don't need to bring it home with me."
"I wasn't thinking of an office."
"Oh, did you need something to do with photography? I mean we can always make the basement into a photo studio for you if you need. I mean you do have all the equipment. Perhaps a new backdrop would be something you would like. That way you can work from home."
"I wasn't thinking of that either, Drew."
"Well then, what would we remodel a room for?"
"A nursery," I said, propping myself up on my elbow and looking down into his eyes, a s
mile on my lips.
He studied my face, and I could see the beginnings of a smile on his lips. "For real, baby?"
"For real."
He rolled me over onto my back and met my lips, kissing me hard. "Two of the best Christmases in a row—the first one getting you, the second you are giving me the greatest gift I could ever ask for. I love you, Alexa. Merry Christmas, baby."
"Merry Christmas."
Fireside Love
Fireside Love
Copyright © 2020 by S.L. Sterling
* * *
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved about, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of the book. This is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Disclaimer: This book contains mature content not suitable for those under the age of 18. It involves strong language and sexual situations. All parties portrayed in sexual situations are consenting adults over the age of 18.
* * *
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-989566-11-4
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-989566-12-1
* * *
Editor: Brandi Aquino, Editing Done Write
Cover Design: Kim Bailey, Bailey Cover Boutique
Created with Vellum
1
Kristy
* * *
I sat doodling figure eights on the paper that sat in front of me. Tom's voice was sounding more like nails on a chalkboard than ever before. I swore this day was never going to end, and the more he droned on, the more I was convinced I was right. Who the hell calls a meeting at three in the afternoon on a Friday, for goodness’ sake. I glanced up at the clock. For a meeting that was only supposed to take a half an hour, my boss sure was winded. He had been going on nonstop for close to an hour and fifteen minutes, and all I could think of was cracking open a bottle of wine and vegging on my couch.
* * *
"Everyone, thank you for your time and have a great weekend," Tom, my boss and ex-boyfriend, called out. I glanced up and caught him watching me, giving me a half smile. I dropped my eyes back to the form in front of me.
* * *
Jen smacked me in the arm, grabbing my attention. "Let's get out of here," she said, scooping up the papers that sat in front of her.
I glanced around the room. Half of the people were already out the door, and here I was still sitting here doodling, while my ex stood there trying to get my attention. I quickly shoved all the notes into a pile, gave Tom a look, and followed Jen out of the boardroom and back to our offices.
* * *
"Honestly, a late-Friday afternoon meeting that really could have been summed up over an email. That was a complete and total waste of time. I could have been halfway home by now," I mumbled as we stepped out of the elevator.
* * *
"I know. I swear that man does this on purpose. Seems it's every single Friday night," Jen replied. "Do you have any plans for the weekend?"
* * *
"The usual, you know: drown my sorrows in a bottle of wine and shove my face with sweets." We both laughed as we made our way back to our offices.
* * *
"That sounds delightful. I'll see you Monday?"
* * *
"Yep, I will be here."
* * *
I shut the door to my office and jumped behind my computer to send out my final few emails of the day before I packed up my bag. Even though I had zero plans, I was happy it was Friday. I was simply happy to have a couple of days to myself and not have to come into this hellhole I called a job.
* * *
My job hadn't always been bad. At one time, I'd actually liked it here. Then I started seeing Tom, my boss, which hadn't been the best idea I'd had. We had dated last summer, probably one of the best summers I'd ever had. Then fall came, he had gotten a new assistant, and things started to get rocky. My performance at work slowed, and suddenly, instead of being praised as one of the best employees, I quickly flew to the bottom of his list. Not only did it cause strain here at the job, but it caused strain on our relationship.
One afternoon, I found out why I had been placed on the bottom of his list, and it wasn't due to my work ethic. I'd gone up to see Tom in his office like usual to finalize our plans for the weekend. His assistant wasn't at her desk when I arrived. I really didn't think anything of it. I just knocked and walked into his office, like I normally did at the end of every Friday. What I saw when I walked into his office I wish I could unsee. His assistant sat on his desk, her skirt pulled up around her thighs, and there in between her legs was Tom.
* * *
I could barely believe my eyes, and I instantly felt sick as she hung her head back to moan, I let out a gasp as I covered my mouth. They both looked in my direction, her immediately pulling at her skirt to cover herself up, while he begged me to let him explain. I could feel the heat on my face and took off running toward the elevator.
* * *
Tom ran after me, begging for my forgiveness, causing a huge scene. I went home that Friday, had a good cry, and contemplated reporting him to Human Resources. Instead, on Sunday, I called him at home and broke up with him. He's begged me for another chance, but I told him the damage was already done and to keep his distance. Now for the past year and a half I have been subjected to his last-minute meetings, along with looks that no boss should be giving his employee.
* * *
I finished packing my bag and was just about to throw it over my shoulder when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Tom walking slowly down the hall. I rolled my eyes. "Please don't stop. Please don't stop," I mumbled to myself.
* * *
The door to my office pushed open and Tom stuck his head in. "Kristy, don't forget to go over the final images for the magazine layout this weekend. I'd like to have them in my hands by Sunday night."
* * *
I sucked in a breath and pasted a fake smile across my face. "Sure thing." He had been doing this to me since we had broken up, finding some way to make me work the entire weekend on something. I had been the one who complied, but now I was getting tired of it.
* * *
He nodded. "Have a good weekend, Kristy." He waved and went to continue his way down the hall, then stepped back in my doorway. "Oh, Kristy, I was thinking perhaps you could drop the package off at my place on Sunday night. It would be nice if we could go over your work together."
* * *
That invite struck at my last nerve. There was no way in hell I was going to be caught dead going to his condo just so he could hit on me in private. "I don't think so. It can wait until Monday, Tom," I bit out, praying he got the hint.
* * *
"Sunday," he said with a little more force as he stared at me. He tapped his hand on the doorframe, his eyes washing over me, and then continued on, making his way down the hall.
I reached into my bag and pulled out the USB stick that held the images I was planning to use for the layouts and placed it in the top drawer of my desk. "Guess that will just have to wait until Monday now." I giggled to myself, flipping my bag over my shoulder.
* * *
Horns blared as I stepped out onto the sidewalk. The Friday afternoon traffic is heavy already, I thought to myself as I began to walk towards home. I was about halfway down the block when snow started to fall heavily. I stopped at the grocery store just like I did every Friday for my usual bottles of wine and some snack food and wished that I had decided to drive this morning instead of walk.
* * *
"Hey, Dena." I waved at my favorite cashier as I wiped my snow-covered shoes o
n the mat inside the door.
* * *
"Hey, Kristy, I have already bagged your usual bottles of wine. I have them behind the counter here waiting for you. One bottle is cold, two are warm."
* * *
I nodded my thanks and made my way down the aisles to the hot food table. Had I really become that predictable that the cashier at my neighborhood Food Mart knew what wine I normally bought and had it pre-bagged for me before I'd even gotten there? I picked up some food off the hot counter, a couple of bags of chips and some candy, and made my way to the front of the store with my arms full.
* * *
Twenty minutes later, I shoved the key in the lock to my apartment and kicked the door open, running to the small table in the corner of the kitchen where I set the bags down just before they slipped out of my hands. I shoved the cold bottle of wine into the fridge, locked my apartment door, and went and had a quick shower.
* * *
Dressed in my favorite pair of yoga pants and a T-shirt, I swept my long, dark hair up into a clip and grabbed the phone. I dialed Addie's number. It was my usual Friday night bitch session where I complained to her about Tom and all the other things that had gone wrong in my life during the week.
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