Page 17 of Mission: Merry Christmas
Still in her yoga pants and tank top, Averyjogged from her bedroom to the door. Through the glass panel, she saw a bright blue golf cart parked in the middle of the driveway. And there stood a little boy.
She opened the door. “Good morning.”
“Hi. I’m Nico.” His dark black hair shone in the morning sun, making it look nearly blue. “Is my uncle around?”
“He is. Come on in.” The young boy zipped under her arm and right by her, making a beeline for the living room.
Drew walked out of the steam room at the other end of the hall wearing a robe. “Hey, buddy. I didn’t hear you come in.”
“Mom said I could come over today.”
“Yeah. That’s great.” They high-fived. “Did you meet my friend?”
Nico lifted his chin. “She let me in.”
“Avery. This is my nephew, Nico.” He leaned close to Nico’s ear. “She’s in better shape than the two of us put together.”
The little boy looked impressed.
“She’s helping me get ready for next season, and when we were talking last night, we were thinking maybe you could do some workouts with me in the pool.”
“Maybe even some water basketball or volleyball, which I’m pretty good at,” Avery bragged.
Drew shrugged and nudged his nephew. “Game on, right?”
“Yeah!” Nico had the biggest brown eyes she’d ever seen. He’d be a heartbreaker one day. Especially with someone like Drew Laskin as an uncle, who was known to be one of the most eligible bachelors in the league. She could still kick herself for not recognizing him.
“I have to do some stretches and stuff, or she’ll write me up.”
Avery opened the curtains. “Nico, you can help me get breakfast ready if you’d like.”
“I’m good at helping in the kitchen.”
Drew slapped the wall as he headed into the gym. “See you two in a bit.”
“Take your time. Slow, long stretches, like I showed you last night,” Avery reminded him.
“I’m a fast learner.”
“Mom says Uncle Drew never listens.”
“Does she now?” Avery gave Drew a knowing look. “I had barely noticed. We’ll trust him to do it right. Let’s go get breakfast ready.”
Nico followed her into the kitchen. “Can you can get the fresh fruit and yogurt out of the fridge, please?” She gathered the whole grain bread and natural peanut butter. Mid-day, she’d make egg-white omelets with spinach and sprouts.
Nico toasted the bread while she cut up fruit, making pretty parfaits that were probably a waste of effort on these two, but she liked it served up this way. Pretty always tasted better.
“Are you excited about Christmas?” She was just making conversation, but she regretted bringing it up knowing all the drama about the holiday plans. It had just slipped out. Kids and Christmas…they just went together.
“Yes.” He bounced with enthusiasm. “Now that school’s out, it’s almost here.”
“Do you think you’re on Santa’s nice list?”
“Definitely. I have some friends in school that might not be, but I know I am.”
“Me, too,” she said. “I love Christmas. It’s my favorite time of the whole year.”
“Uncle Drew needs some Christmas decorations. It doesn’t even look like Christmas here. You should see my house.”
