Take Me Home for Christmas

by Aiden Frost

  Amanda pulled the notebook from her hands in her excitement. She flipped to another page, drawing out a big A and then drawing rows of gardens inside the triangle of the A. Shandra leaned over her, trying to see what she was doing.

  “Like a little secret garden?” she asked.

  “Yes!” said Amanda. “And a wind break. It’s something I haven’t been able to figure out. How to grow our vegetables in the colder weather using row covers, but not having them blow off in the wind. This would be perfect.”

  Shandra smiled. “We’re a good team,” she said.

  “Yeah,” said Amanda, looking around at the piles of boxes in her living room. “And today we’re going to conquer the frickin’ world.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  AMANDA WAS FADING. She’d been on the phone most of the day while Shandra continued to dig through boxes. Maybe she’d accomplished something by crossing a lot of names off her list, but she’d yet to have anyone say, ‘Yes, Max Avery holds an account here.’

  She’d weaseled her way through all the offices on her list. A few had refused to answer her question, one was already closed for the holiday, and one had left her on hold so long she’d had to give up. The phone in her hand beeped, indicating it was about to die—or explode—if she made one more call. She handed the phone back to Shandra. “Here,” she said, “I think I’ve officially killed it.”

  Shandra took the phone, plugging it into the charger in the wall. “Where’s your phone?” Shandra asked her.

  “Still in a bag of rice. I haven’t checked to see if works yet.”

  Shandra looked at her, concerned. “What if Max has been trying to call you?”

  “Why would Max be calling me on a Saturday?” Amanda stopped what she was doing, looking up to Shandra when she didn’t answer her. “Nuh uh,” she said when she saw the look on Shandra’s face. “There is no way. Max took me out on a really nice date, and I was a... jerk. There’s no way he’d be calling me. I’m the one who should be calling him.”

  “Good,” said Shandra. “I’m glad you see it that way. Now go get your phone and call him.”

  Amanda wrinkled her nose at her. “That’s not what I meant. I meant that I should, not that I was going to.”

  “Why not?”

  “I’m not in the business of begging men for forgiveness.”

  Shandra rolled her eyes. “You don’t need to beg. Just tell him you’re sorry about the other night and that you’d like to go out with him again.”

  “No,” said Amanda.

  “You’re so stubborn that you’d let this pass you by?”

  Amanda looked at her, uncertain. “I’m just not ready for this.”

  “Okay,” said Shandra, shrugging her shoulders. “Then it’s my turn. Give me your phone. I’m going to ask him out.”

  “You would not!” said Amanda, aghast.

  Shandra laughed at her. “I have no interest in going out with Max, but do you know how many other women would love to? That’s the kind of man you need to grab on to and hold on for dear life.”

  “That sounds like a lot of work.”

  Shandra smiled. “I think that’s the point.”

  “I don’t even think my phone is working.”

  “Where is it?” said Shandra, standing.

  “No. No,” said Amanda. “I’ll get it.”

  “Good girl,” said Shandra as she plopped back down onto the couch.

  Amanda pulled her phone out of the bag of rice, taking her time putting it back together. She pressed in the power button, saying a little prayer for her phone to not work. She desired Max Avery. She had to admit that at least, but she was not going on another date with him. She needed to keep a clear mind. She would lose sight of herself with a man like Max Avery in her life. He made her feel things she wasn’t ready to feel.

  Chapter Thirty

  “OKAY,” SAID AMANDA coming back inside after her phone call to Max. “I did it.”

  “Good! Now tell me exactly what you said.”

  Amanda looked at her, timid.

  “You didn’t apologize, did you.”

  “I just... there wasn’t a time for it unless I just wanted to blurt it out in the middle of the conversation. He was all business. He thanked us for our time and effort and said he’d make those calls to the remaining offices before the end of the day.” Amanda shrugged. “He was just normal Max. Boss Max.”

  “That’s it!” said Shandra, throwing her hands into the air. “You broke him. You broke our Maxy.”

  Amanda glowered at her but Shandra was unaware as she turned to unplug her phone from the wall.

  “We need to call someone,” Shandra said as she scrolled through the contacts in her phone. “No. No. No,” she said as she continued to swipe through her phone.

  “Who are you looking for?” asked Amanda.

  “I don’t know yet.”

  Amanda stood there, silent, as she wondered what Shandra could possibly be up to.

  “This,” Shandra said, stabbing her finger into her phone. Shandra turned, rummaging through the pile of files before her. She grabbed Amanda’s notebook, triumphant.

  “I don’t understand,” said Amanda.

  “You need to do something for Max that is above and beyond—something that screams, I’m sorry without you needing to say it.”

  Shandra looked at her, awaiting a response.

  “I... don’t...” Amanda winced. “I have to?”

  Shandra stood, moving to Amanda and grabbing her by the shoulders. Amanda at first thought she was about to literally shake some sense into her, but instead, she looked down at her with sad eyes. “Can you picture a life where you never see Max Avery again?”

  Amanda looked into her eyes. “I’m too scared.”

  “I know. And I’m sorry, but it’s time you got over it. I’m not saying you and Max will be together forever and live happily ever after and have two-point-five kids and live behind a white picket fence. I don’t know that anymore than you know that, or Max knows that. But I do know he’s a good man and he’s worth a try. And I know that you care about him, whether you want to admit it or not.”

  “I’m suddenly regretting becoming friends with you,” Amanda said with a sad smile on her lips.

  “Oh!” said Shandra, clutching at her chest. “You wound me.” She stopped her dramatics and looked down at Amanda. “But seriously, you can thank me later by naming one of your children after me.”

  “Name one of my children Shandra?”

  Shandra shook her head. “It’s not my given name.”

  Amanda tipped her head at her, confused.

  “They had my name changed when I moved to the US. My given name was a bit over the top.”

  “What was it?”

  Shandra laughed. “It was really long. The only part I kept was Njinga as my last name.

  Amanda smiled. “Let’s just see if Max will ever speak to me again. Then I’ll let you discuss the naming of our future children with him.”

  Shandra smiled. “Good.”

  “So what’s your plan?”

  “Well, we can’t send Max a bouquet of flowers and expect him to forgive you. And even though we’re spending our time saving—trying to save—the company, and while I know how much he’ll appreciate it, we are his employees and well, it’s not enough.”

  “It’s not enough that we’re going to save his company?”

  “No. If I was the boss, I’d expect my employees to want to save the company they work for and who writes their checks. It needs to be something personal. Something that says, I didn’t have to do this but I wanted to. For you.”

  “So something with the rooftop? Something that was personal to Max? That wasn’t about me?”

  Shandra nodded.

  “The big A?”

  “Yeah. What better way for a man to show off his accomplishments than having his name, or the first letter of his name, plastered across the top of his building. He’ll love it.”

  �
�I can’t just whip up a rooftop escape in the next few hours though.”

  “But I know someone who can.”

  Amanda looked at Shandra like she’d lost her mind.

  “Well, not in real life, but virtually.”

  “Virtually?”

  “Yeah.” Shandra turned her phone around to Amanda, showing her the contact listing. “Meet Josh Adams. Video game designer extraordinaire. He owes me a favor.”

  Amanda was suddenly excited. “He could make a virtual walk-through of our plans?”

  Shandra smiled. “Yup!”

  “And Max would love that? I mean, Max would love that. It’s something he could show his father... How quick do you think he could get it done?”

  “I’ll put the call in now. I’ll make sure it’s done for Xmas.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  SHANDRA AND AMANDA stood outside the door to Andrew Avery’s house.

  “These decorations are unreal,” said Shandra, looking around.

  Amanda laughed despite the nerves that were trying to eat a hole through the pit of her stomach. “I was not expecting this at all,” she said.

  “You were expecting a stuffy mansion?”

  Amanda nodded, giggling as the reindeer next to them puffed a plume of glitter out his nose.

  “Can we ring the bell now?” Shandra asked. “I’m starting to freeze.” She jumped up and down on her toes, trying to restart her circulation.

  “Yeah,” said Amanda. She grabbed onto Shandra’s hand, using her finger to ring the bell.

  Shandra wrinkled her nose, squinting at her. “You’re weird.”

  “I’m coming here under duress,” she said. “It wouldn’t make sense if I was the one to ring the bell.”

  “Duress, my ass,” Shandra grumbled under her breath. She knew how long it had taken Amanda to get ready. She was beginning to think they’d be arriving at the Avery’s to celebrate in the New Year instead of Christmas.

  “I still think it’s pathetic we’re going to someone else’s house for Christmas.”

  “We are pathetic,” said Shandra. “Own that.”

  Amanda rolled her eyes, but straightened as a woman answered the door. She immediately recognized her as the woman Max had introduced as his step-mother.

  “Ooh!” she squealed when she caught sight of them. “Max’s super-women. Come in, come in. You must be freezing.”

  The woman shuffled them in the door, taking their coats and passing them off to a sharp-dressed man who was standing next to her.

  “Hurry,” she said to them. “I don’t want you to miss the presentation.”

  Amanda looked across Ana’s back to Shandra. She wanted Shandra to give her a reassuring look, but she looked as confused as Amanda was.

  Amanda continued to be pulled along by the excited Ana. They entered a large living space, a wide-open area with vaulted ceilings and crisp white walls. There were tables set up that were overflowing with punch bowls and appetizers. There was a massive fireplace which lit up the room near the full bar setup, and soft Christmas music played through the speakers. “You have a beautiful home, Mrs Avery.”

  “Please, it’s Ana. Now come on. Everyone is in the media room.”

  Ana pulled them through a set of swinging doors, like those in a movie theatre. And their set up was pretty much the same. Rows upon rows of seating was in place, and there was a huge white screen pulled down across the stage in front of them.

  “Our guests of honor are here!” said Ana loudly. Everyone stopped speaking and turned toward them. Max was standing before the stage, next to his father who looked festive, but tired, propping himself up heavily on the wheelchair before him.

  Max’s face lit when he caught sight of them. The mingling crowd parted as he hurried up the center aisle. He stopped before them. “Thank you,” he said. “To both of you.”

  Shandra offered him a big smile, even though she still looked like she had no idea what was going on. Max kissed her on the cheek before turning to Amanda. “Thank you. Thank you for doing this for me and doing this for my family.” Max’s voice choked. He moved closer to Amanda, his eyes seeking hers. He pulled her so close their lips were almost touching. She knew everyone was still turned to them, watching.

  Amanda closed her eyes. She leaned forward, pressing her lips against his.

  “COME ON,” SAID SHANDRA “get off her face and tell me how I saved the day!” Shandra threw her arms in the air in her typical display of dramatics, and the crowd laughed and cheered.

  Amanda took a step back from Max, pressing her fingers to her lips. She could still feel his touch lingering there. Max slipped his one arm around Shandra’s waist and his other hand through Amanda’s shaking fingers. “Come on,” he said, tugging on her. “Let’s go.”

  The crowd turned back around, facing the white screen that Max was leading Shandra and Amanda too. Max’s father was now seated in his wheelchair, a smile on his face. He reached out to them as they approached. “Tell me, Max,” he said, “which of these beautiful women do I have the honor of thanking for my business’s reprisal?”

  Shandra bent down, kneeling before him. “It’s so good to see you again, Mr Avery.” Andrew Avery cupped his wide hands around her face, holding her in his grasp.

  “It’s so good to see you, sweet girl. It’s been too long.”

  “I’m sorry,” she said. “It won’t happen again. I’ll be here nagging you every chance I get.”

  “I like the sound of that,” he said with a smile. “An old man needs some fine company.”

  “You’re not old, Dad,” grumbled Max. He smiled at Amanda. “It’s just his excuse to keep beautiful women waiting on him hand and foot.”

  Mr Avery laughed as Ana moved to join them. “And my beautiful bride,” he said, reaching out his hand to her.

  Shandra stood, turning to Max. “So you found the money then? It’s official? We’re back on the right track?”

  Max nodded, his lip curving up into a sly smile. “Yes,” he said. “But...” he waved his hand at the screen. “I was not expecting this special treat. Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, raising his voice above the crowd, “before we enjoy our delectable Christmas dinner prepared by yours truly, Mrs Ana Avery,” Max bowed, and Ana blushed, “I’d like to present to you, the first, behind the scenes, top secret...” he winked at the crowd and laughter filled the room, “rooftop escape.”

  The screen flashed and a jungle-like image filled the screen. An orange and dark blue START button flashed over the image. A mouse cursor moved over top of the START button, and the screen changed. They were looking down from an aerial view over the city. The image drew closer and a single rooftop came into view. A large A encompassed most of it, and Amanda suddenly realized this was their imagined rooftop escape. She turned, smiling at Shandra, but her eyes were glued to the screen. Shandra’s video game designer had come through. Amanda had thoughts of Max quietly enjoying the mock-up, perhaps showing it to his father and mother. Amanda hadn’t imagined this.

  Max still held Amanda’s hand in his grasp. He suddenly squeezed her hand, excited as what appeared to be an airplane dropped an animated figure out of the sky and onto the rooftop. Amanda suddenly felt out of place, on display, standing at the front of the roof, with her hand entwined in Max Avery’s. Half of the people in this room were people she worked with. She caught sight of Carter and his family. Celeste offered her an encouraging nod of her head, while Carter gave her a wink. Even, Ella, their youngest, wiggled her fingers at her. Amanda turned back to Max. His hand felt right in hers. He stood beside her, proud, confident. She admired the person she’d gotten to really know these last few weeks. And she suddenly felt proud to be standing at his side. All his.

  AFTER A MEAL THAT FILLED Amanda to beyond capacity, they’d sat around the table, around the fireplace, and mingled outside, telling stories, laughing and getting to know the people they worked with everyday but knew little about. Max hadn’t left her side. She was his, and he wasn�
��t letting go. He didn’t care who knew it. He didn’t care what they said. She was who he wanted, and he was going to make sure she didn’t second guess his intentions for even one moment.

  He hadn’t said a word to her about the other night. He didn’t acknowledge her act of getting a digital mock-up of their rooftop was some kind of apology. He didn’t say he forgave her, and yet she knew she didn’t need to openly apologize. It felt okay to just be okay. Yet as the night wore on, and guests left for home, or to move on the their next celebration, Amanda felt the weight of the world on her shoulders. She didn’t want the day to end, she didn’t want the night to end. Shandra had left an hour ago, taking their rented SUV home with her. She hadn’t been home for days, and was ready to spend the night in her own bed, even if it was in her crappy apartment.

  That left Amanda vehicle-less. If Max had his apartment still, she knew she was ready to ask him to take her home, but, that wasn’t the case.

  “Hey,” he said, squeezing her leg. “Where’d you go?”

  She turned to him, smiling. “Can we go get some fresh air?” she asked.

  “Yeah,” he said, suddenly concerned. “Excuse us,” he said to those around them. He took Amanda by the arm, leading her through the kitchen and outside through the sliding doors.

  The chill of the air penetrated Amanda’s thin shirt. She shivered, wrapping her arms around herself.

  “Come here,” Max said. He pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her back. The warmth he surrounded her with did nothing to dispel the raging inferno she felt boiling inside of her.

  “I had a great night. Day. Both.” She laughed at her own nervousness.

  “I make you nervous, Ms James?”

  “You just make me feel...” Amanda patted her hand rapidly against her chest, uncertain what word was an appropriate description.

  Max laughed, pulling her even closer to him. “Good,” he said.

  Amanda felt like her heart was about to pound out of her chest. She was certain Max could feel it against his own body.