Page 73 of Fake it For Good
“That sounds like a good idea.” We made our way back to the kitchen. After popping in the pizza, I pulled her against me once again. I liked holding her. We didn’t have to talk all the time. Sometimes, I felt like she said more without words than she did with them.
“Do you have plans for Christmas?” I asked her nonchalantly.
“Not really,” she said. “I usually go to the orphanage to help with dinner. Some of the kids really struggled around Christmas. Mrs. Drummond has her hands full. I try and bring a little comfort and joy.”
“That’s very generous of you,” I said.
“Not really,” she replied. “I’m just offering my time. It’s not like I have anything else going on.”
“This is the place we’re going to tomorrow?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said.
“You’re fond of this one particular orphanage,” I surmised. “You talk about it a lot.”
“I suppose I am a little fonder of the orphanage, but that doesn’t mean I don’t share the wealth when it comes to the charity. I make sure everyone gets a little something.”
“I have no doubt that you do,” I replied. “Do you want to pick the next movie?”
“Sure,” she said, grinning. “How do you feel about comedies?”
“I prefer comedies,” I said. “I’ll bring the pizza. Go relax and enjoy that beautiful masterpiece.”
“I’ll do that,” she said. “And where did you toss my panties by the way?”
I pulled them from my pocket and dangled them in front of her. “I’ve got them for safekeeping.”
“Cane!”
I shook my head and jerked them back when she tried to snatch them. “Nope. I like the idea of you bare under that skirt. Free and ready for the taking.”
“Freak,” she said, laughing, and walked out of the kitchen.
I’d be worried I was freaking her out if it didn’t look like she was enjoying it so much. But I knew she liked it. We were both these quiet, normal people in public. Behind closed doors, I felt free to be whoever I wanted to be with her. I could be uninhibited. I could let down the professional veil I always wore.
Ever since the divorce, I was always hiding myself behind my business persona. I shut down all feelings. I didn’t let anyone know if I was upset or happy. Kelly had made me feel vulnerable. The only way I could think to protect myself was to put up a wall around my personal life. I could laugh and joke with people at work, but it never really felt real. Being with Noelle was refreshing. I hadn’t felt this relaxed in years. Granted, the great sex might have a small role in that, but it was still good.
26
NOELLE
Icouldn’t stop staring at the tree. It was beautiful. We had positioned it in front of the large window that looked to the front of the property. Anyone that pulled through the gate and into the driveway would see the tree standing proud in the window.
I remembered the many, many times I had walked alone in the dark through residential neighborhoods just so I could catch a glimpse of the trees. I used to come up with stories about the families that put up the trees. On occasion, I fantasized about the gifts that would be under the tree. What would it be like to come downstairs to a tree stuffed with pretty gifts?
The closest I got to those trees was when I was twenty-four and went home with Marie for a party. Her parents lived in a house similar to Cane’s. They had a tree in the foyer that touched the ceiling. Another tree in the living room was just as grand with what looked like a hundred gifts under it. Most of them had been for Marie. That was back when Marie had been on good terms with her family. She’d been in law school. We met while volunteering at one of the shelters. I knew I liked her from the moment I met her. She was five years younger than I was, but I saw the good in her soul. We had become best friends almost immediately. She knew my story and she didn’t care.
“You’re sitting in the dark,” Cane said.
“No, I’m basking in the ambiance of a beautiful tree,” I replied. “The only thing missing is snow in the corners of the window. It’s very Hallmark in here.”
He sat down beside me and handed me a plate with two slices of pepperoni pizza. “I think next year I’ll get stuff for the mantel. My mom used to put a nativity set up. I’m going to find one.”
“That would be beautiful,” I said. “A little pine garland down the sides with some bright red berries for color.” I could see it in my mind. “You could put a nice centerpiece on the coffee table. With candles. The candles would totally make the scene.”
“I like the way you think,” he said. “What’s the movie?”
“The Santa Clause,” I announced. “I think I’ve seen it thirty times. I love it.”
