Page 98 of When There Was You
Fifty
Christmas nears, and with the office closing for two days, I’m scoring a four-day weekend. I’m not crazy (or rich) enough to fly home, and I’ve already told my parents I’m staying put. They understood, and as expected, didn’t fight me on it or offer to buy my plane ticket.Shocker.
It seems a bit much to believe the Hamiltons will adopt me for such a significant holiday. Although they’ve been nothing short of welcoming, I’d never presume an invitation, nor does the idea make me super comfortable. It’s their family time.
As if he knows, Butch broaches the subject on the phone.
“You could drive down Christmas Eve and stay through the whole weekend.” When I pause, he barrels forward. “If you want. Because I want it. Emmy will too. In fact, pretty sure everyone here is a big fucking yes.”
God, this man. No hesitation at all. Just open arms. He was the one who said we’d take it slow, yet he’s done nothing but mash the gas and redline the RPMs. He makes it easy to take the ride even though a part of me wonders if we’ll crash.
Emmy’s voice chirps in the background, and Butch tells her he’s speaking with me. After a bit of scuffling, she commandeers the phone.
“Hi, Jacqui.”
“Hi, Emmy.”
“Are you coming for Christmas?”
Oh lord. “I’m thinking about it. Your daddy just invited me.”
“I think you better. He gets darn tootin’ grumpy when you’re not around.”
“Emmy!” Butch scolds.
I can’t help but laugh. “Is that right? Are you sure I’m the reason?”
“Uh huh. He’s been mister cranky pants ever since you left.”
This girl and her vocabulary. “I’ll bet you’re excited for Christmas. What do you want Santa to bring you this year?”
“Presents. Lots and lots of presents.”
“You want to be surprised then? I like it.”
“Give me the phone, you spoiled brat,” Butch says in the background, doing something that makes her shriek then giggle. After a beat, he’s back.
“Your daughter’s a trip.”
He sighs long and hard. “Affirmative. And I have not been grumpy. Much.”
I chuckle. “I miss you already too.”
“Good. That means you’ll come back. Now, don’t you want to know whatIwant for Christmas?”
“I’m pretty sure I’ve got Daddy Lumberjack’s wish list covered.”
He barks out a laugh. “Here I thought lumberjack was bad. You’re absolutely not allowed to say that in front of Liz—or anyone. Even my grams made a lewd comment.”
“Are you forbidding me…daddy?”
He groans. “Christ, woman. You’re killing me.”
My grin widens, then fades. I’ve been on the fence about asking Butch to accompany me to our office party, only because I don’t want to go…which is one hundred percent due to my skeevy boss. Mr. Possessive Gorgeous Hulk by my side would equal a giant, intimidating, human security blanket.
“I know it’s super late notice, but the magazine’s throwing a holiday staff party next Friday. Any chance you could be my date?”
He pauses, then hisses under his breath. “Shoot. Wish I could, but Emmy’s got a dance recital that evening. We meant to invite you, but it obviously slipped through the cracks.”
