Page 61 of Old Money

“Emily, I don’t mean to put you out,” he says when he finally composes himself. But she just puts a hand on her hip. She doesn’t say anything else before he finally gets it. He throws his hands up in surrender. “If it’s okay with you, I’d love to stay here.” She smiles, he smiles, and I can’t help but smile.

We spendthe next few days taking Julian to all our favorite spots downtown, getting our favorite coffee, and taking him to our favorite bookstore. We got out during off-times, and so far, we’ve stayed incognito. But I’ve suggested carry-out and delivery multiple times, giving him the break I know he craves from the world. When Christmas morning rolls around, I wake up to an empty bed. When I make my way out into the living room, I find my mom and Julian at the table, playing cards while they sip their coffee, laughing and talking. I wish I could freeze this moment, in my favorite place with my favorite people. The floor creaks beneath me, and they both look up.

“Merry Christmas, baby girl,” my mom says with a warm smile. I walk over and kiss her forehead then sit on Julian’s lap.

“Merry Christmas, baby,” he whispers as he kisses my cheek. Then he nods his head toward the tree. “Think there’s something over there for you.”

I roll my eyes and shake my head as I steal his coffee and walk over to the tree. I divvy out gifts as they join me, noticing that there are a ton more than I had ordered for my mom. I look at him, but he won’t make eye contact with me. I don’t even know how he had time to do this or how he snuck them in here. But I fucking love him.

He got my mom clothes, a new watch, and unlimited air miles to New York to visit. He also reserved her a suite at the nicest hotel in Connecticut for my graduation this spring. I can tell how uncomfortable she is but how grateful at the same time. Then, he turns to me, handing me a small box. I rip off the wrapping and open the box, staring down at the ornament that I loved from that shop in Bendmere a few months ago. I look up at him and smile.

“You sneaky sneak,” I say, pulling it out of the box and leaning over to hang it on the tree. But as I go to close the box, I notice something else gleaming in the light. And then I see it: the tiny silver key that sits on a chain. My eyes grow wide.

“Is…is this…”

“That was my grandfather’s key to the tower,” he says. “He told me to keep it until I found it the right home. And I did.”

I look up at him, my eyes filling with tears. I pluck it from the box, putting it on and clutching it in my hand. I’m at a loss for words, so I just crawl over to him, kissing him and nestling into him. I play with the key, dangling it across my fingers.

I think he might really love me.

We spend the rest of the day in our pajamas, drinking coffee and hot chocolate, eating the gourmet dinner Mom made us, and watchingThe Family Stone, just as my mom and I do every single Christmas. We don’t have heirlooms or towers, but we have traditions. And we have quality time. And enough love to go around.

That night, in my childhood bedroom, Julian and I make love to the light of the moon through the window. He has to fly home tomorrow for work, but another Everett jet will be in the area at the end of break that will bring me back to New York.

I know it’s only a few weeks, and he plans to visit a few times, but my heart already hurts.

I’m no good at being without him anymore.

My mom hadan early morning shift at the diner, and although Julian wanted me to sleep in, I insisted on riding with him to the airport. I dropped my mom off at her shift then met them on the airstrip.

I pull the car up behind the SUV they rented and hop out. He’s waiting for me on the tarmac, looking like a whole damn snack leaned up against it.

I realize I look ridiculous, but I run to him, and he catches me with open arms and a smile. He kisses me, lifting me off the ground, and then I bury myself in his neck.

“I know this is clingy as hell, but I really don’t want you to go,” I say. He chuckles, squeezing me tighter.

“If you’re clingy, then I’m obsessed, because I almost canceled all my meetings this morning.”

I kiss his neck and cheek, and he sets me down.

“Enjoy your time with your mom,” he says. “But just know that when you get back, you’re all mine.” I smile and kiss him one last time. “I love you, Sawyer.”

“I love you,” I tell him as he kisses my forehead one more time before walking to the plane. He turns at the bottom of the stairs.

“Let me know as soon as you get home,” he says. I smile and salute him. I love having someone who looks out for me the way he does. Like I don’t have to be the only one with my eyes on everything all the time. I blow him a kiss, and then he’s off.

* * *

The next fewdays with my mom are amazing. Randy gave her the day off, and she didn’t have to work at the coffee shop either. I hate how much she works. I hate that she spends her days serving others without anyone to ever serve her. I want her to rest. I want her to live life, not work through it. And one day, I’m going to make sure that’s exactly what happens.

We go to the park together, drive around the suburbs, looking at Christmas lights, and watch our favorite movies. We look through old pictures, clean out some old things in the apartment, and eat all our favorite foods. On my last night, we lie in her bed, binge-watching oldGrey’s Anatomyepisodes while we each enjoy a pint of ice cream.

“Mom?” I say, licking my spoon and setting it down on the nightstand.

“Hmm?”

“He wants me to quit my job,” I say. It’s been on my mind since we left New York, and I’ve been struggling with what to do about it. She looks at me then sets her own ice cream down.

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