Chapter 26
Sam
A few weeks after Turkey Day, Suds and I stare up at the enormous, sparkling tree. At the base, a bronze Prometheus falls from the sky with his arms outstretched. The Greek god overlooks the ice, an irony, as he was the one who stole fire.
Because of the diet, I fit into my favorite dark-washed skinny jeans. Shimmery snowflakes sparkle on my borrowed sweater. “I haven’t been skating in Rockefeller Center since I was a kid. Can you believe Grayson chose here for our holiday party?”
“It’s beautiful.” My husband gazes into my eyes and as he kisses me, we’re joined on the walkway by Lucky and his wife, Callie, big with child number four.
I hug the big bear of a man, giggle at his naked Santa-belly sweater, and embrace his wife. “You two are absolutely glowing.”
“Growing, is more like it.” After we cheek kiss, she holds her stomach, catches her husband’s loving stare, and snips the air with virtual scissors.
Lucky covers his groin with one hand, pulls her head closer, and whispers in her ear. Whatever he says makes her roll her eyes. “We’re going inside. See you later. If I can’t drink, or skate, I’m going to eat.”
As they wave goodbye, Hands and my cousin Mia join us in line. Newly in love, her eyes shine as brightly as the diamond on her ring finger. Hands turns to Suds and flashes open his coat so we can see the snowboarding Yetis in Santa hats on his chest.
“Damn, that’s really awful. You may be a wiener, I mean winner.” My husband keeps his coat buttoned, playing his cards close to the vest, so to speak.
“Have you seen my sister?” As Mia glances around the rink, I search, too.
“I didn’t even know she was invited.” My brows raise at my partner who shrugs, meaning he’s clueless, as well.
My cousin grins mischievously. “When I told her about my party plans, she was so wistful, I asked Hands if any of the Patten guys had an unused plus-one. He said Wheels was coming alone so…”
“Wait, they came together?” My mouth drops open, but we say no more because the two under discussion draw near.
Holy shit.I don’t think I’ve ever seen Rose blush so red. And the bodyguard’s eyes never drift from her face. The sparks flying between them could light up the sky.Isn’t that interesting?
After we all kiss, we ladies gossip and order our skates while the men fetch us drinks. I was thinking hot chocolate, but champagne warms even better.
Bubbly finished, all laced up, we wobble to the ice where our lawyer drags a toe to stop. He opens his short wool coat, revealing a red cashmere sweater with the scariest nutcracker I’ve ever seen appliqued to the front.
“Need a lesson?” He circles around my husband who’s holding onto the fencing for his dear life.
“Thank you kindly but I believe I can handle this. How hard can it be?” He’s being a real sport. Most alpha males wouldn’t want the others to know there’s something he’s not good at.
Jack Taylor skates past us holding his wife’s hand and waves. “Merry Christmas. See you inside.”
Lucky bends his knees, twists fast, and ice flies. “Oi, mates. How’s it going?”
He hip-bumps Suds who goes down and his coat opens, revealing a gingerbread thug with an arm bit off, asking, ‘you want a piece of me?’.
Grinning, my partner grabs the Aussie’s ankle, and seconds later, both men in ugly sweaters sit on their asses laughing their heads off. Slate and Grayson shake their heads at the antics and glide by.
When a woman in a gorgeous red-sequined gown exits the building, I race over and hug her tight. “Sienna. Oh my God! You’re going to sing?”
“Ain’t no rest for the wicked.” Laughing, she shakes her blond ringlets, and her dangling diamonds catch the light. “Actually, I volunteered so I wouldn’t have to skate.”
“Gosh, I haven’t seen you since the whole Calvin incident. How have you been?”
“Great. I worked on my album during lockdown. For me, it was nice not to be on tour.” She holds both my hands in hers. “Listen, I need to start but we’ll talk more after the show.”
Soon, her guitarist strikes a chord, and she opens with ‘It’s the most wonderful time of the year’ singing like an angel with a southern twang.
While we listen, we drift to the bar. The guys compare sweaters and talk shop. It’s refreshing for me to be with women who don’t ask questions about guns, deaths, murder, or mayhem.
When I see Dr. Jones, I wave for her to join us. She’s reluctant so I jog over and drag her into our coven.
