Romancing the Holiday

by HelenKay Dimon

  Calliope grinned. “Yes, tomorrow night is perfect. We’ll be there. Love you.”

  She hung up and Tori asked, “What did you just volunteer me for?”

  “Mom wants to have a baby shower for Riley since she’s epically pregnant. She wants us to help her with the planning and execution.”

  “Oh.” It warmed Tori’s heart to be asked to help. “Sure, I’ll be happy to do that.”

  “Great. We’re going over tomorrow night to help Mom with the planning.” Calliope climbed out of the chair. “I need to go home and fix dinner.”

  She led Calliope to the door. “Thanks for coming over and beating me up about Brody.”

  Calliope hugged her. “It’s for your own good.” She grabbed her arms. “Trust in yourself, Tori. And in Brody. I don’t think he’ll let you down.”

  She nodded and closed the door after Calliope left. She fixed dinner, took a hot, relaxing bath, then climbed into her pajamas and into bed. She hadn’t had much sleep over the weekend and she was beat. Not that she was complaining.

  As she stared up at the ceiling, she realized she ached for Brody. He was out of town the next three days on a job. She wondered if he would have asked her out tonight if he’d been home.

  Probably not. They’d spent three nights together, which likely exceeded his spend-time-with-a-woman rules anyway.

  But then there’d been that kiss this morning, which had blown her away.

  She sat up and punched her pillow into submission, suddenly not as tired as she’d thought. She rolled over and stared out the window, hoping the passing clouds would lull her into sleep.

  When the phone rang, she startled. It was only nine o’clock, though. She grabbed the phone, her stomach doing a mad leap when she saw Brody’s name come up on the display.

  “Hey,” she said as she punched the button.

  “Hey, yourself. What are you doing?”

  “Lying in bed, actually.”

  “Oh. Were you asleep?”

  “No. I was tired earlier so I went to bed, but now I can’t sleep.”

  He laughed. “I guess we didn’t get much sleep the past few nights, did we?”

  Her toes curled just thinking about it. “No, we didn’t.” She shifted onto her back. “What are you doing?”

  “Going over some paperwork for tomorrow’s build. Boring stuff. My mind was wandering and I thought about you, so I wanted to give you a call to tell you I wish I was home. In bed. With you.”

  If he kept talking to her like that she was going to have to throw open a window to let some icy cold air in. “I wish you were here, too. How did your day go today?”

  He told her about the project, complained a bit about some delays, and made her laugh about a meeting he’d had with some of the other contractors. She realized he was sharing his day with her, which made her smile, especially when he asked her how her day had been.

  “Has your phone been blowing up with people asking about the two of us?” he asked.

  “Sort of. Calliope stalked my door as soon as I came home from work.”

  “Figured Wyatt would blab to her.”

  “Also, I’m going to your mom’s tomorrow night. She asked me to help plan Riley’s baby shower.”

  “That’ll be fun for you. I guess.”

  She laughed. “I’m looking forward to it. Girl stuff, you know.”

  “Yeah, I know. Well, I’ll let you get some sleep. I’m about to hit it, too. I’ve got an early morning.”

  “Okay.”

  They both went silent.

  “Brody?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Thanks for calling.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Another silence.

  “Tori?”

  “Yes?”

  “I missed you today.”

  She sucked in a deep breath, her heart tightening. “I missed you too.”

  “Night.”

  “Good night.”

  She clicked the phone off and laid it on her nightstand, then curled under her covers, wishing she was in Brody’s bed right now so she could inhale his scent.

  God, she had it bad.

  She was deeply in love with Brody and this was going to wreck her completely.

  Chapter Ten

  The past few weeks had been spent in a whirlwind of work, prepping for the Christmas party, and nights spent with Brody. The best part of those few weeks had been the time Tori had spent with Brody.

  Now she looked forward to days at the office, because he’d make time for the two of them to have lunch together. And when he was in town, they’d go out to a movie or to dinner.

  It was like they were dating. A real couple. She was having a hard time getting used to him actually being fully in a relationship, expecting the other shoe to drop any moment and for him to say that he was tired of her. But that hadn’t happened yet.

  And it was probably a good thing she stayed busy with other things, like Riley’s baby shower. The house was decorated in the most adorable shade of baby blues to welcome the new Kent baby into the family.

  It had only taken a couple weeks to plan the shower, and Tori was convinced that nearly everyone in town had RSVP’d saying they were coming.

  Okay, maybe not everyone in town, but Tori was glad when Calliope suggested they have the shower at her and Wyatt’s house instead of at Stacy’s, because Calliope’s house was much bigger, affording them the opportunity to broaden the guest list.

  And it was much less stress on Stacy, though she was throwing herself into the new grandchild bit with as much enthusiasm as any grandmother-to-be. And with Ethan’s eight-year-old daughter Zoey assisting Stacy, Tori and Calliope, it was a joy to behold the finished product.

  Zoey proudly sported her I’m The Big Sister T-shirt today, which of course was a baby blue shirt.

  “Hey, Zoey, can you come here a second? I need your help.”

  “Sure! What can I do?”

  “Hold the end of this paper so I can hang it above the fireplace.”

  Zoey carefully climbed on the stepladder, with her daddy’s ever-present help, and held the sign they’d had made that said Welcome Baby Boy Kent.

  “Put the tape on that end.”

  Ethan helped her, but Zoey grinned when she saw it up there. “That’s for our baby,” she said to Ethan.

  He kissed the top of Zoey’s head. “It sure is.”

  Riley waddled into the room. “Ugh. How can my ankles be swollen in December?”

  “You should sit down, Mommy,” Zoey said. “You look like you’re about to bust a giant alien out of your belly.”

  Riley snorted out a laugh. “You’re right, Zoey.” She carefully eased herself into a comfortable chair in the living room. “Come sit with me and we’ll read a book before the guests start to arrive.”

  While Zoey ran to her backpack to get a book, Tori sat next to her. “How can you be thirty-seven weeks pregnant and still look so gorgeous?”

  Riley took her hand. “Ethan paid you to say that, didn’t he?”

  She laughed. “He did not. It’s true. Your hair is luscious and beautiful and you still have a great body.”

  “Minus the huge stomach.”

  “Tori’s right,” Ethan said, grabbing a seat on the other side of her. He laid a hand on her stomach. “You’re beautiful.”

  “He tells me this every day. God, I love this man.”

  Zoey returned with a book, so Tori excused herself and let the family have a few minutes of quiet time together before the madness. As she shifted away, she turned and admired the love they had for each other.

  “I’m so happy for them,” Stacy said from behind her. She put her arms around Tori. “They’ve worked so hard for their happiness.”

  She wrapped her arms around Stacy’s. “I know. It warms my heart to see them become a family, to know they’re adding a baby.” She turned around. “You can just feel the love pour from them. Sappy, I know.”

  Stacy’s eyes filled with tear
s. She grabbed Tori’s hand and pulled her into the kitchen. “It’s not sappy at all. I love seeing my children happy and fulfilled, and Riley has always been like one of my own. Just like you.”

  Tori took a deep breath. “Thank you, Stacy.”

  “Now sit. Let’s have a glass of wine together before the craziness ensues.”

  Stacy poured a glass for each of them. Tori lifted hers. “To Ethan, Riley, Zoey, and as-yet-unnamed baby boy Kent.”

  Stacy raised her glass. “Salute!”

  Tori took a sip. “Good wine.”

  “It is good. I put Brody in charge of choosing the wine.”

  Tori arched a brow. “Really? I had no idea he even knew anything about wine.”

  “Well, you two are still learning about each other now that you’re dating, aren’t you?”

  Uh-oh. “I...guess so.”

  Stacy patted her hand. “Relax. I’m not going to meddle. Much.” She smiled behind the rim of the glass.”

  Tori didn’t know what to say to that. “Stacy, I—”

  “Is my mother giving you the third degree?”

  Thank God for Brody’s timely arrival, because she would have had no idea how to talk about Brody with his mother.

  “I was not,” Stacy said, giving Brody a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

  He leaned against the counter. “Tell me again what I’m doing at a baby shower?”

  “You were invited,” Stacy said. “Riley wanted a couples shower. And since you and Tori are now a couple...”

  “I’m sure I heard Wyatt calling me,” Brody said, winking at Tori before he dashed out of the room.

  “Coward,” Stacy said. “I’ll corner you yet today.”

  Tori laughed. “I don’t think he’s comfortable yet thinking about the two of us together.”

  “Well, the only thing I’m going to say about it is that it’s about time.”

  “A lot of people seem to be saying that.”

  “And you aren’t?”

  She shrugged. “I’m just...taking it day by day.”

  “Look, Tori. I have no rose-colored glasses on when it comes to my son. I know all about his notorious reputation with women.”

  Good lord. She did not want to have this conversation. She prayed Calliope would come in soon. “Uh, reputation?”

  “Don’t play dumb with me. I know what a womanizer he’s been in the past. But I also know he would never intentionally hurt you. There are too many people in this family who care about you. I think he’s changed, Tori.”

  “He and I are getting along great.” So far.

  “Good. And I’m sure it’ll stay that way. He might not have always been the best when it comes to relationships, but he’s not stupid. He knows a great thing when he sees it. And you’re the best thing to happen to him in a long time, Tori.”

  Her eyes stung as tears welled up. “Thank you, Stacy. I’m glad you think so.”

  “Aww, come here, honey. “ Stacy folded her into her arms and hugged her tight. “I know you had a crappy family. You know no matter what happens, we’ll always be here for you.”

  She squeezed Stacy and hoped what she said was true, because losing Brody would be devastating enough. Losing the whole Kent family would destroy her.

  * * *

  Baby showers were okay, if you liked blue shirts and blue outfits and blue hats and blue booties and blue everything and women oooh-ing and aaah-ing for an hour as every package was opened.

  Thank God for beer or Brody would have never survived this. But Tori seemed to enjoy the present-opening part, and even his brothers had gotten into it, though he had no idea why Wyatt seemed so interested.

  He smirked when Riley and Ethan opened his gift, a miniature construction bench with wooden hammer, wrench and the like.

  “Oh, Brody, this is awesome,” Riley said. She patted her belly. “My little construction worker, just like his daddy.”

  “Yeah, should be fun when he’s bangin’ on it while you’re trying to sleep.”

  “Gee, thanks, Brody,” Ethan said.

  “You’re welcome, bro.”

  Tori nudged him. “Such a cute gift.”

  “I did it to annoy my brother.”

  “It doesn’t matter. It’s adorable.”

  “You think every gift is adorable.” But he grasped her hand and squeezed it, and she laid her head on his shoulder while the rest of the gifts were opened.

  After that there was food, which he had to admit was his favorite part. He stuffed himself, then went into the kitchen to toss his plate.

  “Hey,” his mom said, laying her head on his chest and wrapping her arms around him.

  His family was demonstrative, and rampant huggers. He kind of liked that about them, so he held her close. “Good party, Mom.”

  “It was, wasn’t it?” She tilted her head back. “Riley and Ethan seem to be having a great time and they received some lovely gifts.”

  “Yeah, if you like that baby stuff.”

  “Oh, you.” She pushed at him and he let her go. “Maybe it’s time you started thinking about that baby stuff.”

  “I don’t have the right equipment, Mom.”

  She rolled her eyes and climbed up to sit on a stool at the center island to sip her wine while he grabbed another beer out of the fridge.

  “You know what I’m talking about. A wife. A family of your own.”

  “Don’t you have your hands full with the new grandson on the way?”

  “I have enough love in my heart for a house full of grandchildren. And you’re dodging the inevitable conversation.”

  He took a long swallow of beer. “What conversation is that?”

  “You and Tori.”

  “What about me and Tori?”

  “Are you serious about her?”

  “I don’t know. Things are progressing.”

  His mom took a sip of wine, then laid her glass down. “Brody, you know I love you like you’re my own son.”

  “Ha, ha, Mom.”

  She winked at him. “Seriously, I love Tori like she’s family, too. And I don’t want her to get hurt.”

  “But it’s okay if I do?”

  She frowned. “You think she’s going to hurt you?”

  “I don’t know.” He looked around. They were alone in the kitchen. “I’m not used to relationships.”

  “Obviously, since you’ve been manwhoring your way through nearly every woman in town since you were seventeen.”

  “Jesus, Mom.”

  “It’s the truth, isn’t it? I don’t live under a rock, you know. You’ve never had a steady relationship with a woman.”

  “I’ve been busy with the company.”

  “That’s an excuse to avoid commitment.”

  “And you watch too much Dr. Phil.”

  “Actually, I’m into Dr. Oz now, but that’s beside the point. You might want to blow me off as not knowing what I’m talking about, but I’ve been married to your father for thirty-seven years. And we’ve had our rough patches. He’s hurt me and I’ve hurt him, but we have a strength in our love that’s binded us.”

  Brody sucked in a breath. He knew the reason he and his brothers were solid was because of his parents, the upbringing they had. “I know love and marriage isn’t easy. Except for you and Dad, of course.”

  His mom laughed. “Before your dad and I met and fell in love, I had my heart broken a few times by guys who couldn’t commit, and despite me being deliriously happy with your father, I know the pain of having my heart broken. It’s a pain you don’t ever forget, so don’t stand here and insult me by insinuating that I don’t have personal experience in matters of love and heartbreak.”

  He’d never had this kind of conversation with his mother. “Okay. I’m sorry, Mom.”

  She scooted off the stool and came over to him and laid her hand in his. “I love you. Above all, I will always love you, no matter what. But I love Tori, too, and that girl has been through hell and back in her life. She looks at your fath
er and I as family. She looks at Ethan and Wyatt as her brothers. But she has never once looked at you as family.”

  “No?”

  “No. That girl has been in love with you since she was a teenager. Open your eyes, Brody, and be careful not to hurt her. Or if you realize she’s not the one for you and you know you’re going to hurt her, then let her down gently, and don’t alienate her from the family she loves and who love her.”

  Fuck. “Yeah. Okay. I understand.”

  “Good. Then I’ll butt out from now on. I love you, son.” She reached up, grabbed his head and pulled him down for a kiss on his cheek. “I need to go ogle the cute baby gifts and take a few hundred more pictures.”

  After she left the kitchen, he downed the rest of his beer and grabbed another.

  Talk about a Come to Jesus meeting. His mother had read him the riot act and had done it in her most gentle, sweetest voice, just like she always had done when they were kids. She’d never had to raise her voice to them. Calm reason had them dropping their chins to their chests and confessing their sins before they knew what was up.

  Now he had to figure out what the hell he was going to do about what she’d told him.

  It was one thing to have fun with Tori, to have a relationship with her because it wasn’t complicated, and because it was what the two of them wanted.

  It was another thing entirely to have the entire town and his family eagle-eyeing his every move.

  “There you are.”

  He turned around as Tori entered the kitchen.

  “I wondered where you’d disappeared to. Too much baby blue for you?” she asked with a grin.

  “Yeah. Way heavy on baby land out there.”

  She laughed. “I think they’re set for Baby Boy Kent’s first couple years after that shower.”

  “It seems that way.”

  She tucked herself under his arm. “Things are wrapping up out there if you want to make your escape.”

  That was the nice thing about Tori. She always gave him an out and wasn’t the clingy type. “Are you hanging here for a while?”

  She nodded. “I’ll help clean up the disaster after everyone leaves. I don’t want to leave that for your mom or Calliope to deal with.”

  And she was generous, always thinking of others before herself. “Then I’ll stay and help, too.”