Quill
“Okay, Steve, I need a tree. One that’s not so big it hits the ceiling because the star has to go there.” He shook his head, but was on the phone handling that, which made me turn to Leo.
“Lights, garland, ornaments. Some stockings, you know, make it look like Santa’s workshop.”
Leo’s dark eyes narrowed. “Mr. Black okayed all this?”
“Indeedy doo, now please hurry, I want this almost done by the time he gets home.”
He said he’d be back, and now it was Jaclyn’s turn. She smiled brightly and I was glad someone was happy to be a part of Operation Christmas Extravaganza.
“While I want to bake, I want the smell of Christmas more. There is this new place on Fifth called Vayne. Can you see if they have bakery things and like, Christmas hams or whatever?”
“Absolutely. I think this is a great idea. Mr. Black is going to be really surprised.”
I just hoped it was a good surprise.
I cleaned the entire place while I waited for everyone and everything. It was already pretty great, but I found pine scented cleaner and thought it would make the place smell perfect.
“Tree,” Steve said as two huge, burly men carried in the super big tree. Good thing Black had cathedral ceilings. Jaclyn slipped the stand on, and when the tree was secure, she filled it with water and we got the skirt on.
“I love it. Perfect job, guys.” With a few grunts, they left, and then Leo brought in boxes of decorations and such.
“Where’d you get all that?” Jaclyn asked.
“Lana took care of it, Roger just drove it over.”
If Lana was in charge, I knew these were going to be awesome decorations. It only took fifteen minutes of them all watching me struggle for them to help me with lights, garland, and decorations. By the time the tree was done, Jaclyn announced the food delivery.
I darted into the kitchen, making sure the counters were clear.
“Someone order Christmas?” the voice asked. When the box was lowered, I saw it was that Xander guy from the ball.
“Oh, hey, you’re the owner of Vayne.”
The blush that painted his cheeks was adorable. “Guilty.”
“I thought your food was so outstanding. I knew you’d be able to help me pull this off.”
He scanned the place, eyes going to the top of the tree.
“What are you trying to pull off, exactly?”
“Christmas, of course.” I began removing items from the box. Ham, mashed potatoes, corn, bread, cookies, so much Christmas.
“You live here?” Xander asked, and where I once found that question to be benign, it now made me skeptical.
“Um… no, it’s not my place.”
He nodded, hands in his back pockets and not showing any indication he was leaving. Steve and Leo were eyeing him, likely wondering why he was still here. The food was purchased over the phone and paid for.
“It’s gorgeous. Oh wow.” He ran over to the wall of windows where Hart Castle stood. The sun had set and it was lit up beautifully. Christmas lights and everything. I certainly wouldn’t want to be the person decorating that place.
“Amazing view, huh?” I followed, leaving enough distance between me and him. Jaclyn was sitting on a love seat by the tree, pretending to be reading a magazine.
He practically had his nose pressed to the glass. “A million-dollar view for sure. Wow!”
I returned to the kitchen and watched him, a big smile and shining wonderment filled his expression. I was sure Black’s people were going to shit a brick, but I felt like the guy wasn’t ready to leave.
“Do you want to maybe help me set all this food up?”
As predicted, Jaclyn, Leo, and Steve all turned their attention to me, their gazes rivaling the crackling fire.
“I’d love to.” Xander walked with a bounce in his step and when he picked up the chef’s knife to cut the ham, I thought the three bodyguards were going to have a heart attack.
For the next hour, Xander helped me set up the food and desserts to look magazine quality and I was so grateful. He wasn’t a bad guy, it seemed like maybe he was just lonely.
“Thanks for helping me. I can cook to live, but nothing this amazing.”
Again, Xander blushed and maybe another time I would’ve flirted, but the thought of Black and last night filled my mind and nothing else compared.
“Anytime, uh…” He looked up. Jaclyn was sitting on the stool by the breakfast bar, Leo was scanning the view, and Steve was pacing, giving less than warm glares at the two of us. “Are these guys your friends?”
I chuckled as his eyes followed Black’s people’s movements. “No, they work for the owner here. I’m just crashing while my place is being painted.” The lie fell from my mouth like butter. Jaclyn’s eyebrows raised and I gave her a “hush it” expression.
“I see. Well, do you ever do the meditation thing at Fredrick’s Park?” he continued, perfecting the garnish as he spoke.
“No, what’s that?”
“It’s three times a week, I believe. Um, if you have a number, I can text you the schedule. I go to the park a lot, I’ve seen it and I’ve been thinking of going to it, but…”
I knew he was going to say he had no one to go with and while I didn’t want him thinking it was a date, I sort of wanted to wash that uncertain look he had going on.
“Sure, I’ll put it in your phone and just message me and we can totally work it out. Never can have too many friends, right?”
He handed his phone over, mumbling something I couldn’t quite make out. I texted myself from his phone and he smiled when it came through. Did he think I’d put a fake number in?
After Xander left, I quickly took another shower. I couldn’t wear these clothes again, so I hunted around Black’s room. There were pants and shirts, but all I’d swim in and could likely rival Oliver Twist asking Mr. Bumble, “Please, Sir, I want some more.” I did want more Black, but I didn’t need Black coming up with excuses not to be with me with the reminder of my age and stature.
With a towel around my hips, I called out for Jaclyn. She came in, eyes widening when she saw me.
“I have nothing to wear. I can’t wear his clothes, and nothing here comes close.”
She chuckled and said she’d be right back. I waited ten minutes, but she did indeed return.
“Here. My partner, Jane, hope you don’t mind, but she had some sweat pants and a Spiderman t-shirt in my trunk.”
It was perfect. “I don’t care who’s they are. If they fit, I’m happy.”
After she left me to it, I changed and brushed my teeth with a spare toothbrush I’d found this morning. I felt better and ready to jingle Black’s balls when he returned.