Page 22 of Yes to The Holidays
“Thank you for the invite. I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.” He squeezed my thigh tighter.
Damn. Of course, the universe would send me an appetizer but not a meal. I must have been an asshole in a past life to deserve a divorce then be given a taste of this man only to have it taken away.
Still, I had done things, said things, with this man that I’d never even considered before. And every moment we spent together I could completely be myself. I walked on eggshells for so long, it was nice to be me. What’s the worst that would happen, our two-week affair would be one week? Oh well. At least I could remember the amazing sex we had during the time to hold me over a while.
“You sure you’re okay?” he asked again.
Goddammit, Janie, get a hold of yourself. “Yeah. Excited to see my folks. It’s been a while. I sort of avoided them once the divorce was announced. They’re a bit old fashioned.”
“Surely they don’t blame you?”
I shook my head. “Oh no. They were great. I was avoiding it. It’s embarrassing. But I’ve gone too long. This can be a fresh start.”
“You have no reason to be embarrassed. You did nothing wrong, and he clearly has some issues. If you were my wife, you’d be worshipped daily.”
I squeezed his hand. “That’s nice to imagine.”
“It’s true. He’s an imbecile.”
I chuckled. “Yeah, yeah. It’s all fun and games now five days in, but five months, five years, things change.”
His lips thinned, the grin melting away. “Janie, you don’t think you know me, and I get that. But I speak my truth. I’ve never met anyone I feel so connected to. I think things change because someone gets complacent. But I’ve grown up watching my father pine over my mother, and my brother dote on his wife. Love is work, and some men aren't willing to put in the effort. But don’t let one idiot ruin it for the rest of us.”
Him talking about love and lasting relationships sent a flush to my chest and face. My chest heaved, and I turned to look out the window, considering rolling it down to cool off.
“Relax. I’m not saying I love you, Janie. But Iamsaying I think I could.”
The rest of the ride was quiet. Odin was overwhelming in such an amazing way, but he was talking like there could be more. But he was leaving soon.
He never let go of my thigh until we made it to my aunts. Cars lined the driveway and street in front of her house. “Sorry, big family. Maybe I should have mentioned that.”
Expecting him to be mortified, I was pleasantly surprised when he smiled then pulled my knuckles to his lips for a soft kiss. “It’ll remind me of home.”
He got out then opened my door, and I grabbed the casserole that I had prepared last week and grabbed from my freezer before leaving.
The day was perfect. Everyone had too much couth to ask many questions with a stranger around, about anything. Nobody brought up the divorce, and nobody drilled me on my new friend. I was careful not to get cornered alone, though. That would be the kiss of death.
Instead, everyone welcomed Odin with hearty handshakes from the men and warm hugs from the ladies. The kids all stared up in wonder as he towered over every man in the family. Everyone snacked on spinach dip, cheese, and olives while the things some of us brought heated up in the oven. My aunt had an amazing kitchen with a double oven in the wall that had all the women envious. I loved to bake, but I was the only one who enjoyed eating them. The apartment had a little oven, and it was just me but being around all the baked goods and family made me want to get back to it.
Once all the sides were finally ready, everyone made their plates then went to the back porch where folding tables had been set up. It was a large, covered porch with four patio heaters at the corners, making it more comfortable than inside.
“Janie, how long are you staying in the city? We miss seeing you,” one of my cousins said.
“I miss it out here. Hopefully, I can find something after the new year.” I had to wait for the house to close but moving back outside the perimeter was ideal. Some aspects of living in the city were nice, but I missed the quiet and the extra space. There were some nice condos in midtown but having no neighbors was something I took for granted.
“You looking for a house, townhouse?” my dad asked as he shoved turkey in his mouth. He still had all his hair, but a little grey near his temples turned him to a salt-and-pepper look.
“I prefer a house if possible. I haven’t even started to look again, though. Gotta get the closing done and behind me first.” I caught Odin’s slight nod as I spoke, and he ate.
“What about you, Odin. Where do you live? In the city?” Mom asked. Her hair was dark brown, but I knew she had it colored at the salon, and she kept it in a short bob.
He cleared his throat. “I actually live up North.”
“The mountains. Beautiful up there. Are you closer to Chattanooga or Blue Ridge?” Dad asked.
I looked at him and he watched me like he was waiting on approval. “He’s from New York actually.”
A collective, “Oh,” sounded around the tables.
