Chapter 14
CHAPTER 14
DORI
“Hunter! I can’t believe you did this for us.” I clap my hands. “What better way to spend the Monday night before Christmas?”
Melanie and I spring off the couch and to our feet.
“Hey.” Jonah continues to guide Hunter through the front door. “I get some of the credit. I had to help him carry this tree.”
“Sorry, Jonah. Thank you for getting Melanie and me a Christmas tree.” I squeal. “I haven’t decorated a big tree like this in years.”
Melanie's eyes beam as bright as the North Star. “Me either. You Efron brothers are the best!”
They enter Hunter’s apartment carrying an extremely tall pine tree.
Hunter scans his main floor. “Where do you want to set it up?”
“Oh, it’ll be perfect in the corner by my window. If we move the sofa and coffee table back, I’ll be able to sit in the dark at night with only the Christmas lights on.” I run over to the area and start moving the furniture.
Melanie joins me while Hunter and Jonah get the tree in the stand. Katy bought us boxes of lights and decorations to use.
I’m surprised at how excited I am because Jami still presses on the back of my mind. I’m also still dealing with Hunter’s revelations about their truce.
My therapist continues to push me to see the correlation between my miscarriages and the pain I have about Jami’s son, but I’m not making the connection.
Having a child is fine with me, but I’m devastated he’s lied to me for months about it. And on top of that, he hid what he knew about Hunter just so I wouldn’t find out about Lauren and his son.
The level of betrayal continues to grow. I thought I’d need a couple of days to process and be less upset, but with Hunter coming clean, I’m more hurt.
I never thought Jami would do this to me. I can’t wrap my head around it. And since I’m still swimming in a thick blanket of confusion, I agreed to stay here until I have more clarity.
“There. That should do it.” Hunter steps back from the tree and checks it out. He points to a ladder. “We’re going to need that.”
Jonah assesses the height of the pine. “Yeah, I’d say.”
Melanie and I pull out decorations and line them up, making a plan for how we want it to turn out. She likes blue and white decor, whereas I want a mixture of colors.
“What do you want?” I turn to Hunter.
“The smile on your face is enough for me.” He sucks in a shaky breath and quickly hides his waning expression.
He’s been a little somber today since he got home from another therapy appointment. From what I can tell, he’s gone every day since I’ve been here, except for yesterday. I’m proud of him.
While he’s done some bad things, he’s taking responsibility and trying to be a better man. How can I stay angry with him when he’s working so hard on himself for me?
His action proves he still loves me and wants to make things right. I sink into that and allow myself to enjoy the festivities.
As Mel and Jonah take the lights out of the box, Hunter raises his head and catches me staring.
He winks and goes into the bar area. “Can I get anyone an eggnog?”
“I love those.” Mel skips to the boxes of decorations. “It’s stupid it’s only a Christmas drink.”
I shrug and nod. “I’d like one.”
Mel hands me a package. “What’s the verdict? My way or Dori’s?”
“I vote for your way, Mel.” Jonah tears open a container of white balls.
They’re not just any kind of Christmas balls. They’re large and have fancy designs carved around them. Hunter didn’t skimp on anything.
I look to Hunter for his vote. He’s taking us in with a gentle twinkle in his eyes.
“Well, it’s up to you, Hunter.” I shimmy my way to the bar. “Does Melanie get her way, or do I?”
He laughs. “What kind of dance move was that?”
“The cool kind.” I slide onto a stool. “Please say we can do it my way.”
“You know better than I do, so it’s your call.” He grabs four short glasses off the shelf and makes us our cocktails.
Jonah joins me, but Mel stays back. I glance over my shoulder. She’s counting how many boxes of blue and white balls we have and assessing the tree.
“Damn you, Hunter.” She tosses a package onto the sofa and joins us at the bar. “We don’t have enough balls for a tree that size.”
He smirks. “I guess we have your answer. ”
I bounce up and down in my seat. “Yay, I win.”
Melanie gives Hunter a dirty look. “By default. I think he cheated.”
“How was I supposed to know you wanted all blue and white?” He shakes the eggnog carton. “Next time, I’ll be sure to ask.”
“That’s a big assumption.” Jonah raises his eyebrows at Hunter.
Hunter tips his head in acknowledgment and turns away. It takes me a few seconds to realize what Jonah meant.
There might not be a next time. My shoulders slump, and I face the tree. I shouldn’t be letting this take place when I don’t know where things will go with Hunter. I twist in that thought while they discuss the perfect amount of cognac to mix with eggnog.
Hunter clears his throat and steals my attention back. “Before we toast to a night of fun, Jonah and I have something we want to ask you ladies.”
He places all of our drinks on the bar.
Mel’s eyes flick between Jonah and Hunter. “Do tell.”
“You have to keep an open mind.” He glances directly at me.
“Okay. Open mind it is.” I slide my eggnog across the counter and bring it closer to me.
“Jonah and I met with our dad on Saturday, and we have his blessing on this, so would you two beautiful ladies like to join us on Thursday as our dates for the Christmas ball?” Hunter looks at me with an apprehensive expression.
I gasp. “But what about?—”
“Don’t worry about it, Dori,” Jonah says. “If you agree, we’ll go as a group. It won’t technically be a date. We’ll go together in one car and leave together in one car. While we’re at the event, we’ll mix and mingle with the others. We might steal a dance or two, but nothing that would raise suspicion. ”
Before I can say anything, Melanie hugs Jonah. “Yes, we’ll go. I’ve always wanted to go out with you.”
He encircles his arms around her. “Then why didn’t you say something sooner?”
And with those words, I’m a goner. This is her chance to get Jonah’s attention, and I can’t deny her. Hunter genuinely smiles at their embrace. His gaze makes its way to me.
He shrugs. “What do you say? Would you like to go to the ball with me?”
Hunter just asked me out on an actual date.
My chest fills with unexpected warmth. “Sure. I’d like that, but if anyone takes it the wrong way, you have to set them straight.”
Jonah releases Mel. “It’s already taken care of. My dad’s sending out a memo explaining it to the board members. No one will be the wiser.”
“You got your dad in on this?” Melanie rubs Jonah’s arm.
“We did. And it wasn’t that difficult to get him on board. He’s even the one who came up with the email. It’s almost like he’s done this before.” Jonah gets up and rounds the bar. “We need whipped cream for the drinks.”
“Now you’re bringing out the fun stuff.” Melanie flashes him a flirty glance. “Jonah Efron, you’re a man after my own heart.”
“I sure hope so since you’re going to be my date.” He squats and rummages through the mini-fridge. “I promise to show you a night to remember.”
Hunter rests against the back bar and quietly laughs. “Who would’ve guessed you two would be so quick to jump on board?”
“Are you kidding?” Mel twists off the stool and sways behind the bar. “Dori’s never told you I have a thing for your brother?”
Jonah has the whipped cream can in his hand. With a swift motion, she snatches it from him and gives him a wicked grin .
“Open your mouth, hot stuff.” She shakes the bottle. “I want to see how much you trust me.”
“Oh, baby girl. This isn’t about trust. This is about fun.” He drops his head back and opens his mouth wide.
She places the spout above his lips and presses, filling his mouth until whipped cream spills onto his face. He raises his head and grabs her.
She squirms, but he pushes her against the counter and locks his lips to hers. Whipped cream oozes from their mouths as they go at it right there.
My jaw drops. I can’t believe this is happening.
“Come on, beauty. Let’s decorate your tree.” Hunter pushes off the counter. “You two, feel free to join us when you’re done getting better acquainted. The guest room next to the library is available. You’ll find everything you might need in the drawer of the nightstand.”
Jonah pulls away from Melanie. “Your choice, baby girl. Upstairs or stay here and help them?”
Lust covers her eyes as she assesses me for the answer.
I shake my head. “Don’t ask me. It’s your body.”
“I’m not asking. I just want to see if you’ll be upset if we pass on the Christmas decorating.” Her hand drops to Jonah’s.
“Who am I to stop you? You deserve it after taking care of me.” I shoo them away. “Go. Have some fun. But Jonah, she’s my best friend, so remember that.”
He leads her to the stairs before I finish my sentence. “If you want me to think of you while I’m upstairs with her, you’ll need to join us. Otherwise, I can’t promise you anything.”
“Yeah… Dorothy, I’m going to insert myself right here.” Hunter stares at me seriously. “I apologize if this is taking away your choice, but I cannot get on board with you being with my brother. Sorry. I have to put my foot down on this one.”
“I wasn’t even considering it.” I jump off my stool. “Do you really think I’d do that? ”
“It could be fun,” Jonah hollers over the walkway.
“She won’t. It’s not her thing,” Melanie says.
He leans down and cradles her in his arms without missing a beat. “Good, because I’d rather focus on you.”
Jonah carries her off. They disappear past the loft area and down the dark hallway that leads to the other guest bedroom.
I glance back at Hunter. “That was weird.”
“I’d say.”
“Who knew your brother was so…sexual?”
“You don’t know him very well.”
“Is he always like that with women he’s interested in?” I mosey over to where Hunter’s checking out the decorations.
“Most of the time.” Hunter shrugs it off and picks up a box of balls.
“Huh. I expect it from Melanie, but never in a million years would I have pegged your brother to be as aggressive as her.”
“That’s interesting. I never would’ve thought Melanie would be so quick to respond.”
“Then you don’t know her very well.” It takes about five seconds of me thinking about them together before I’m double over in a fit of laughter.
Hunter looks on with his brows raised and a smile.
Once I regain my composure, I pick up more decorations. “Oh, Hunter. We may have just created a monster. After seeing this side of Jonah, those two together are going to be hard to tame.”
“It might be fun trying, though.” Hunter sets up the ladder and climbs it with a string of lights. “Will you hold this steady? I’ve got to go pretty high up.”
“Of course.” I hurry over and keep the ladder from swaying. “If I would’ve known he’d be into Melanie, I would’ve set them up earlier.”
“Technically, it was my idea, but I’ll let you have it.” He glances down and winks. “Why would you have set them up earlier?”
“It would’ve been nice to have a couple who we could’ve done things with. It might have saved our relationship.”
The room goes silent.
Shit. I did it again.
I keep referring to our relationship in the past tense. It’s got to be hurting him.
I change the subject. “Do you think we’ll see them again tonight?”
“Probably not.” He works the string of lights around the top of the tree. “And on that note. I wouldn’t venture out to the terrace if I were you. Not unless you plan on joining them or taking in a show.”
“How do you know that?”
“Us Efron boys don’t like to keep our sexual experiences locked away in one room. You should know that by now.”
“About you, yes. Jonah, not until tonight.”
“That should do it for the top, but we’ve got double the work now that they skipped out on us.” Hunter works his way down the ladder.
“Let’s make the best of it then.” I skip to his home stereo system and search for a Christmas playlist.
When I hit play, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town filters out through the speakers. I turn it up and dance back to Hunter, singing along as I do. He takes my hand, twirls me under his arm, then dips me.
“Here’s wishing you a very Merry Christmas, my love. I hope you get everything you ask for.” He lifts me straight and spins me again.
My smile takes over as we dance and decorate the tree together. We share our memories of the holidays and discuss where we need more lights and balls to make up our perfect tree, sipping eggnog as we do.
It takes us a couple of hours to finish everything and I’m relieved when it’s over. I stand with my hands on my hips and scan our masterpiece.
“Well done, Mr. Efron. You’re a man of many talents.”
Hunter’s expression turns solemn as he gives it a once-over. “I’ve never done this. My dad always had people come in and do it for us, so I’m surprised it turned out so well. I think the success of this is all because of you.”
He packs the extra boxes of decorations into an empty crate. Every time there’s a break in our conversation, he slides into a reflective silence.
“Thank you for today.” I step to his side to help clean up. “No. Thank you for the last few days. You’ve gone out of your way to give me time and space. I hope you know how much I appreciate it. You even let Melanie move in with me. You deserve a medal for that alone.”
“It’s my pleasure, so I don’t want to hear anything else about it.” He grabs a torn bag and tosses it into the trash pile. “Well, that should do it.”
He takes me by the hand. I turn to him and gaze into his eyes, hoping he’ll kiss me. It’s probably wrong for me to want this, but he’s been opening up and treating me so well.
He’s making every effort to be the kind of man I can trust. We’re getting closer than ever before. Blending his kind gesture of tree decorating with the holiday ambiance, I long for a glimmer of hope that I’ll be okay.
He cups my cheek and runs his thumb across my cheekbone. “You’re beautiful. You really are the most important person in the world to me. Allowing me to experience a Christmas like this means more to me than you’ll ever know.”
My heart erupts and love rushes into my veins. I part my lips to give him a sign, but he steps away and grabs the trash.
“It’s getting late. We should get some sleep.” He retreats to the kitchen and disappears into the storage area.
I deflate and stare at the empty space. He comes back into view and stops. His head tilts to the side as he sends me a gentle smile. He draws in a deep breath, then flicks off the lights.
The tree illuminates and multicolored beams of light twinkle in the corner of the room. The sight steals the air from my lungs.
“Hunter, it’s amazing.”
“I’d have to agree.”
He joins me, so I lean into him. He slides his arms around my waist, pulling me in front so I’m resting my back against his chest. I sink into his warm embrace.
We share a minute of silence. If only all of our time together was like this because it’s damn near perfect.
He kisses the top of my head and releases me. “Good night, beauty. I’ll see you in the morning.”
He starts toward his room, and an instant void takes over.
“Hunter.”
“Yes?” He peeks at me over his shoulder.
“Will you please tell me what’s bothering you?”