Page 70 of One More Yule Log
“What is that?”
Ah, Jack. “Liv wanted us to have a Yule log. It’s the solstice. She made it all by herself.”
“Um, yeah. I can tell.” Jack was looking at the cake like it was going to attack.
“You know we celebrate the solstice, Jack.” He said it evenly.
“Everyone doesn’t have to know, Ben. And this isn’t…it’s just not the same quality.” Jack’s face had smoothed out into his humor-the-client expression, which meant he knew he’d said the wrong thing.
“I don’t care.” He crossed his arms and stared at Jack, willing to die on this hill. Liv had given up her favorite day of the year so he could be here, had made this amazing white chocolate peppermint thing just for Uncle Jack.
“Ben, seriously. This is for our clients. Can’t you try to remember this?”
Why couldn’t Jack remember Ben was only here because he was family?
“I’m selling.” The words popped out of his mouth. “I’m not Dale. I hate this. I’m selling.”
Jack actually stepped back, eyebrows flying up. “What?”
“I’m selling. I’ve talked to my lawyer. I don’t want to do this anymore. I have a daughter to raise.”
“I— you spoke to a lawyer without me?”
“She’ll contact you after the first. I wanted to give you the holidays, but this, this right here, is why I can’t stay. I’m not a mover and shaker, and Liv is at home, waiting to decorate the tree because I’m not there.”
“Ben, you know I love Liv,” Jack started.
“I know, and you’ll always be her Uncle Jack, but I’m unhappy. I’m a dad. A goofy guy that likes to raise babies and cook. You know that. Dale knew that.”
Jack sighed. “I do. I’m sorry you’re so unhappy, Ben. You know we’ll broker you a hell of a deal.”
“I know. I was just giving you the holidays.” He went to Jack and hugged him. “I love you, but I want to be home with my girl.”
Jack hugged him back. “You gonna stay long enough to make an announcement or am I making your excuses?”
“I’ll make the announcements.” The wind howled outside, the room getting dark.
“I’m not sure anyone’s going to come out in this. We’re used to storms, but damn.”
“Yeah. It took me over an hour to get down.” And it would take longer to get home. Gray and Liv had both given him the long faces.
His phone rang, and he glanced at it. Gray.
“Excuse me a sec?”
Jack nodded, and his phone rang, too, so they stepped apart to answer.
“Hey, honey.”
“Babe. You okay? That snow is getting really bad.”
“I know. I told Jack. I’m going to announce at the party.” He thought he might throw up.
“Oh, good deal. I’m proud of you.” Gray’s warm praise calmed his nerves some.
“Thanks. I’ll leave as soon as I can and head home. I can’t wait to see y’all.”
“Oh, baby, it’s deep out and getting colder. If you’re staying for some of the party, maybe you ought to get a room there.”
