Chapter 20 Chanel #2
Chanel stared, then laughed. “I can’t believe you ate that whole thing in one big ole bite.”
“What? It’s not that big.” He held out one for her. “Try one.”
The intimacy of the action wasn’t lost on her. They’d fed each other before, and each time they ended up being hungrier for
something other than food. Holding his gaze, she took a little bite. The flavors exploded on her tongue. “Oh, that is so good.
I’m definitely going to get this recipe from your mom.”
“Then we can eat them together.” He leaned down close to her ear and whispered, “I love when we share our food.” A wicked
grin kicked up the corner of his mouth.
So did she, especially since with him it became more like foreplay.
Resisting the urge to fan herself, she glanced over and met the smiling faces of his father and brothers.
“Um, let me get back in the kitchen and see what else needs to be done.” Chanel’s heart beat rapidly in her chest. The way Vincent always looked at her made her feel like she would go up in flames.
“Holler if I need to refill anything.” She started to leave, then turned back and snatched the lamb chop Vincent had halfway to his mouth.
“That’s mine, thank you very much.” She cracked up at the guys teasing him, then continued to the ladies.
“Hey, Giselle,” she said when she entered the kitchen.
“Merry Christmas.” Chanel reached out to hug her. “Have you met my sister?”
“Merry Christmas. Yes, Kamryn introduced us.”
She nodded. “Okay, Mama Yvonne, what do you want me to do? Oh, and those lamb chops . . . I need that recipe. They’re amazing.”
Mama Yvonne gestured toward Kamryn. “I didn’t make them, but I’m going to need that recipe too.” She picked up one from the
plate Chanel had left. “Giselle, you’ve got to try these.”
A wide smile covered Kamryn’s face. “I got y’all. It’s so easy.”
Chanel waved a hand. “Girlfriend, easy is my style.”
Jada said, “Oh, these are good. I just need to know when the food is ready. I’ll bring drinks, pick up some side dishes . . . whatever.”
The women laughed, and Mama Yvonne said, “We’ll have to plan something when Taylor gets back.”
Kamryn did a little dance step. “Oooh, I’m down. Jada, you come too.”
“Count me in.” Jada smiled at Chanel and made a heart with her hands.
After so many years of the emotional turmoil they’d gone through, it warmed Chanel’s heart to see pure joy on her sister’s
face.
“Hold up. This is my song.” Mama Yvonne snapped her fingers and started dancing.
She’d never heard the song and asked about it.
“The song is called “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Will Downing. The man can sing.”
Chanel couldn’t deny that fact and loved this woman’s positive energy. She so wished her mother could have been the same way. They’d never had fun in the kitchen, or anywhere else for that matter. Soon they got back to cooking.
“When do you want me to heat the green beans up, Mama Yvonne?” Giselle asked.
“If they’re already cooked, it will only take a few minutes to warm them, so you can do it just before we’re ready to serve.”
“They’re the canned kind.”
“That’s fine as long as you’re doctoring them up a little.”
“What do you mean? I do add a little seasoning.”
Chanel shared a look with Kamryn, who said, “I think she means adding some smoked turkey or a ham hock and more seasoning.”
Mama Yvonne washed and dried her hands, then smiled. “That’s exactly what I mean. I’ll be back in a minute.”
As soon as she left the room, Giselle turned to Kamryn. “Of course you’d have something to say, Little Miss Always-trying-to-take-over-in-the-kitchen.”
“I haven’t taken over anything. And don’t come at me sideways because you lack cooking skills.”
Chanel really didn’t want to get in the middle of whatever feud they had going—it wasn’t the first time she’d sensed friction
between the two women—but she also didn’t want the day to be ruined. “I’m sure we all need some cooking tips every now and
again, Giselle. I surely do. Mama Yvonne can help us both. I’d love to see what she puts in her green beans.”
Still glaring, Giselle said, “Apparently not everybody.”
“Is that what your problem is with me? That I can cook better than you? Girl, you need help. I’m sick of—” Kamryn held up
her hands. “You know what? I’m not doing this today with you. It’s Christmas and I’m going to enjoy my day.” She walked over
to the stove to check the mac and cheese.
Giselle stormed out of the room.
For a few strained moments, no one said anything. Then Jada said, “Ooo-kay. Insert awkward moment here.”
The three women looked at each other and burst out laughing, breaking the tension.
When they calmed, Kamryn said, “Bless y’all for being here this year. Taylor usually tries to be the mediator, but since she’s
not here, I thought I’d have to deal with Giselle’s craziness all alone this year.”
“Glad we could help a sistah out,” Chanel said.
They shared a smile, then Kamryn asked, “So how are things going with you and Vincent?”
“I really like him, and truthfully, he’s the best boyfriend I’ve ever had.”
“More like they’re in love,” Jada said in singsong.
“How do you know?” Chanel wasn’t ready to say the words out loud yet. Deep inside, she still had a fear that things would
change between them. Especially since her sister was right. Chanel had fallen in love with him. Sometimes being with him felt like living in a fairy-tale world, and she found herself waiting for
the other shoe to drop. That had always been the story of her life. Hopefully this time would be different.
“Because you talk about him all the time and get all smiley when he comes around. Oh, and I overheard him telling you he loves
you.” Jada turned to Kamryn. “But she’s still keeping it under wraps at work.”
“Why are you always listening to other people’s conversations?” That had been last month when they’d returned from a date
night. Though he’d said it to her, she hadn’t reciprocated.
She shrugged. “I didn’t listen intentionally. I just kind of heard it.”
Kamryn gave Chanel a sympathetic look. “I get that you’re probably worried that it could be awkward if things go sideways between you two, but don’t let them dictate how you handle your relationship. It’s not fair to you or Vincent. You guys have been dating about eight months or so, right?”
She nodded.
“That’s a long time to ask someone to keep a secret. I see the way Vincent looks at you, Chanel. Let him love you in private
and in public. I know that’s what he wants to do.”
She thought about Kamryn’s words and felt a measure of guilt. She had a wonderful man who treated her as if she were a queen,
was attentive and respectful, and loved her, while she was too afraid of what someone might think about them being together.
“Taylor was right. You’re a great big sister.”
Kamryn hugged her. “Aw. Thank you.”
Mama Yvonne returned to the kitchen, as did Giselle, and they finished the meal preparation without any other issues.
“I’m going to run to the bathroom real quick before dinner hits the table,” Chanel said, heading down the hall. On her way
back, she rounded the corner and ran into a solid mass. “Vincent.”
“Sorry. You okay?” Vincent asked, steadying her.
“I’m good. Is everyone at the table already?”
“Not yet, but I wanted to talk to you for a moment.”
Her heart started pounding. She searched his face for any indication of what was going through his mind, but his expression
didn’t give anything away. “Is everything all right? And I wanted to tell you something too.” She was done with the secrecy.
Like Kamryn said, it was time to shout it to the world.
“Everything is perfect. I’ll go first.” He brushed a kiss over her lips. “I wanted to tell you I love you.” Framing her face
with his hands, he repeated it. “I love you, Chanel Reynolds. This has been the best year of my life.”
“I love you too,” she whispered as tears filled her eyes.
“It’s been the best year of my life as well, and I don’t want us to hide anymore.
” When he’d confessed his love to her over a month ago, she had still held back for fear that everything would change between them, that somehow he would change.
Just like her father had done. But today she wanted him to know how much he meant to her.
A smile spread across his face. He kissed her tenderly. “That’s the best Christmas gift you could have given me.”
Before she could respond, she saw Kamryn coming toward them. “Hey, you two, quit making out in the hall. It’s time for dinner.”
Vincent laughed. “As many times as I’ve busted you and Tariq, I know you’re not talking about somebody making out.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Kamryn said with a straight face. “I’ll tell them you’re on your way.” She hustled
back the way she came.
Chanel couldn’t do anything but smile. “She’s such a cool person.”
“I agree.” Hand in hand, they headed to the kitchen in time to help bring the food to the table.
After the blessing, plates were filled and lively conversation flowed around the table. Every dish had been prepared to perfection,
including the “doctored” green beans. Mama Yvonne’s light-as-air rolls had Chanel nearly swooning in her chair. She enjoyed
every second and knew Jada did as well. If she could bottle up the love swirling around the Bradley family, she would and
keep it close to her heart. As close as the man who now held hers. Vincent’s declaration of love never failed to fill her
heart, and parts of her wanted to ask him to say it again, just so she could hear him say the words. She glanced over at him
and smiled. Best. Christmas. Ever. Hands down.
Later, after stuffing her face with peach cobbler, brownies, and Kamryn’s pound cake, Chanel collapsed onto the sofa next to Vincent. “I ate way too much,” she said with a groan. “I can barely breathe or move.” She probably didn’t need to eat another meal for at least three days.
Vincent chuckled. “I told you.”
She rolled her head in his direction. “You ate twice as much as I did. Why aren’t you groaning with me?”