Page 125 of Business Casual

Epilogue

Six Months Later

After inhaling the scented oil that keeps my mom’s fro flourishing, I unraveled myself from the hug and then grinned. “Mom, this is Tre Franklin. Tre, this is my mom,” I introduced the two as she picked us up at the airport on Christmas Eve.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Jones,” Tre greeted her, extending his hand.

“Get that out of here! We are huggers,” Mom said, pushing his hand away and opening her arms for a hug. “And call me Anne.”

Smiling, he wasted no time giving her a tight embrace. “Thank you, Anne.”

“It is so nice to meet you, Tre!” she exclaimed, backing away and looking between us. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“All good things, I hope,” Tre replied to her.

“Allgreatthings,” she corrected, giving him a look.

Widening my eyes, I tried to signal to her. “Okay, Mom.”

My mother’s teetering laugh carried as she observed us. “I’m just so happy you’re here!” She opened her trunk so Tre could put our luggage inside. “This should be enough room.”

Thirty minutes of nonstop small talk later, we pulled up to the cute home my parents purchased eight years ago.

“Those decorations are nice, Mrs.—Anne,” Tre complimented as he grabbed the bags from the trunk.

“My parents love Christmas,” I mentioned, gesturing to the elaborate display in front of us.

“I see,” he chuckled. “It looks great.”

“Just wait until it gets dark tonight!” she exclaimed. Lowering her voice, she looked around conspiratorially. “It’s the best display in the neighborhood. When we go for a walk later, you’ll see.”

I glanced at him, and he just grinned.

My mother was very lowkey, except when it came to the holidays. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, she was on ten. I loved that about her, but I knew it could be a lot for other people to handle.

My mother opened the door and we filed in behind her. After pointing out the living room and kitchen, she took us down the hall to the guest bedroom.

“And this is where you will be staying,” she concluded, opening the door.

Looking around the newly decorated room, I nodded. “This is great, Mom. Thanks.”

“Yes, thank you, Anne,” Tre agreed. “I appreciate your hospitality.”

“I’ll let you two get unpacked while I finish up lunch. Give me thirty minutes,” she said, leaving us alone.

“Are you hungry?” I wondered.

“Starving,” Tre answered, sitting on the bed and taking off his shoes. “What about you?”

I put my hand on my belly. “My stomach keeps growling.”

“I’ve been holding out for some of this chili you were talking about.”

“Hands down, the best chili you will ever have in your life.” I walked over to his side of the bed and sat down next to him. “Thank you for coming with me.”

Wrapping his arm around my shoulders, he brought my head to his mouth, kissing my temple. “Thank you for inviting me.” Turning my head and tipping it up, he brushed his lips against mine. “I’m happy to be here.”

I put my hand on his knee slowly moving it. “Well, later tonight I plan to show you how much I appreciate you spending Christmas with me.”

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