Chapter 12 #2
Taj and I had just arrived at his parents’ house, and I wasn’t the least bit anxious. If anything, I was excited. Perhaps that was because I expected they were precisely the kind of people I’d already told him I believed they were.
I couldn’t imagine that anyone other than warm, welcoming people with pure hearts could have raised such a wonderful man.
Taj led us from his vehicle, through the open garage door, and straight into the house. He didn’t keep it formal and go to the front door. He didn’t knock. He just walked inside, and within seconds, I understood why.
Because although Taj had his own place, this one was home.
We hadn’t spoken a word to anyone yet, but I could feel that in the air.
I could smell the warmth and taste it on my tongue.
I could hear it in the music playing softly and in the conversations floating into the room.
Yes, this was a family that genuinely loved, and this house was a home.
As soon as Taj closed the door behind us, we took a few steps deeper into the kitchen. That’s when we were spotted. A stunning woman I could only assume had to be his mom—he had her same bright blue eyes and his sister looked just like her—came rushing toward us with a wide smile on her face.
“You two made it,” she bubbled. “Merry Christmas.”
My belly flipped. She’d been expecting us. Both of us. Taj must’ve told her he was bringing me along.
“Merry Christmas, Mom.” Taj gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Then he placed his hand on my back and said, “Mom, this is Olivia. Olivia, this is my mom, Charley.”
I beamed at her. “It’s lovely to meet you, Mrs. Blackman. Thank you for allowing me to join in your family’s celebration today.”
“Oh, Olivia, please call me Charley. My mother-in-law, who I actually met on Christmas Day so many years ago, never made me call her Mrs. Blackman, so I’m certainly not going to require that from you. Plus, it’d make me feel old.”
“Right. Got it.” I held out the gift bag I’d been holding and said, “I didn’t want to come empty-handed. Merry Christmas.”
She took the bag containing the bottle of wine I’d purchased two days ago and gave me a welcoming hug. “Merry Christmas. Thank you for this. I’ll have my husband open it up for us.”
Charley had barely gotten those words out and released me when a man who looked like a slightly older version of Taj approached with what could only be described as a proud grin on his face.
Ignoring his son, he pinned his eyes on me and said, “You must be Olivia.”
I smiled and nodded. “Yes. Would you be Mr. Blackman?”
His lips twitched with amusement. “I guess I am, but you can call me Wes. It’s wonderful to finally meet you, Olivia. We’re so happy you could join us today. Merry Christmas.”
My lips parted as a wave of disbelief washed over me.
It was one thing for Charley to indicate they were expecting me.
Obviously, Taj would’ve needed to let her know that there’d be another guest to feed.
But based on Wes’s words, it seemed Taj hadn’t merely mentioned me joining him for Christmas.
It felt as though he’d talked more extensively about me.
“Merry Christmas. I’m really glad to be here.”
His eyes shifted to his son, a look of approval in his stare. “Merry Christmas, Son.”
One half of Taj’s mouth quirked with a smile. “Merry Christmas, Dad.”
“Wes, honey?” Charley called.
“Yes, gorgeous?”
My heart melted. Did they really speak to one another like that? No wonder Taj was such a gentleman.
“Olivia brought us some wine. Would you mind taking their coats before opening this for us?”
“Of course.”
With that, Taj and I pulled off our coats and handed them to his dad.
“Come on,” Taj whispered in my ear as he took me by the hand. “I have something I want to show you.”
I did my best to ignore the way my belly trembled at the feel of his hand holding mine, using the opportunity to take in the beauty of the home. Taj led me through the house and didn’t stop until we were standing in front of what had to be my dream Christmas tree.
“Oh, this is beautiful,” I breathed, marveling at the sight. “This has to be at least twenty feet tall.”
Taj released my hand and wrapped his arm around my back, his hand landing on my opposite shoulder. “I thought you’d like it.”
Tears filled my eyes. “I love it. I love it so much.”
His hold on me grew firmer. “I hope this helps a bit in turning your day around.”
Wrenching my gaze from the stunning tree, I looked up at the man who’d been nothing but solid, unwavering support from the moment I landed in this town.
A wave of gratitude washed over me. But there was else lingering there, something that warmed my heart and had my belly doing somersaults.
Smiling, I spoke softly. “It has, Taj. I almost can’t remember why I was upset earlier. ”
He returned the smile and moved to speak, but before he could, someone else beat him to it.
“Oh, there you are.” We spun around to find Savanna advancing on us. After exchanging Christmas greetings with her brother, she focused her attention on me, smiled, and engulfed me in a hug. “Merry Christmas, Olivia.”
“Merry Christmas, Savanna.”
“I’m so glad you came. I was telling my mom and Ellie how excited I was to learn that you’d be joining Taj today.”
My brows pulled together. I’d met a bunch of people last night, but I couldn’t remember who Ellie was. “Ellie?”
“My aunt. For years, it’s just been her, my mom, me, and my grandmother as the only women during these types of celebrations.”
“Oh. Is that… Is that a bad thing?”
She sighed. “Well, if it was just Taj, it wouldn’t have been. But my aunt and uncle have three sons and no daughters, so I was the only girl. Every holiday was chaos. And I think it got worse and worse as we got older.”
I shot her a sympathetic look, even if there was a small part of me that thought it sounded wonderful to have memories of chaotic holidays with such a loving family. “I can’t imagine what that must have been like.”
“If you stick around long enough, you’ll see,” she shared. “What are you guys doing out here anyway?”
Taj answered, “Olivia likes Christmas trees, so I wanted to show her this one.”
“It’s such a beautiful tree,” I added. “I would’ve given anything for one like this when I was a kid.”
“Mom spends a lot of time decorating it every year, so she’ll be happy to know that someone appreciates the hard work. Have you met everyone else?” Savanna asked.
I shook my head. “Not yet.”
She linked her arm through mine, just like she’d done at Lou’s last night. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to our cousins—Kash, Ryder, and Milo—and their parents.”
As she tugged on my arm and urged me away from the tree, I glanced back at Taj. If he’d been upset that his sister had interrupted and stolen me away, I didn’t know it, because he was grinning from ear to ear.
I matched that look, and for the rest of the day, it hadn’t left my face.
Through the rest of the family introductions and during lunch, I had such a wonderful time.
I never felt out of place or like I was the odd one out.
Taj and his family reminisced about former Christmases, and I loved getting a deeper look into the man that had been slowly healing my heart without even realizing it.
It was hours later—following the meal, desserts, conversation, and laughter—when I found myself hating that the day was coming to an end. Taj and I had said goodbye to his family, and we’d just arrived back at my apartment.
I opened my door and stepped inside. Taj remained put, something I couldn’t read in his expression.
He seemed unable to speak, so I broke the silence. “Thank you for inviting me to join you today, Taj. This has been the best Christmas of my whole life.”
There was a hint of surprise at my admission, but he offered a nod and smile in return. “I’m happy you enjoyed yourself. I liked having you with us today.”
We stood there awkwardly for a few seconds before I just went for it. I opened my arms and stepped toward him. Taj didn’t hesitate to welcome a hug from me, engulfing me in his warm embrace.
He’d held me in his arms earlier when he’d arrived, and I was a mess. But this was different. This wasn’t about comforting someone who was hurting. This was about appreciation, respect, and something else.
When I inhaled the scent of him, I wondered if that something else was longing or desire or attraction. Was it possible there was some of that mixed in for Taj, too?
I was too afraid to ask.
So, I loosened my hold and took a step back. “I’ll see you this week?”
It would’ve been impossible to miss the hope in my tone.
Taj’s eyes darkened. “You absolutely will. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
I nodded, wishing I had the courage to ask him to stay a little longer. “Okay. Goodnight, Taj.”
He parted his lips to say something, hesitated, and reconsidered whatever it was. Then, after his shoulders dropped with what looked like defeat, he replied, “Goodnight, Olivia.”
A moment later, he was gone.
And I spent the rest of my night replaying every moment, every look, with him in my head. If I hadn’t met him, I wouldn’t know where I’d be right now.