From the moment we stepped out the booth, we were in motion. One second, we were dancing, and the next, we were cutting a cake and sending everyone on their way. I was surprised to see my parents still hyper when we walked them to the black truck I arranged at one in morning, yet it was a sight I would never forget.
Even though the weather was getting worst by the hour, we still decided to spend the night together at my place. The whole way home, Essen yawned up a storm, but she refused to lie down once we got out the shower.
“Baby, your eyes are heavy. I know you aren’t waiting for Santa.”
“Ha. Ha. No.” She pulled her night gown over her knees. “I've had to share you all day. I want some time alone before I doze off. I want to watch a movie or something.”
I spread out on the bed beside her. “All right, but I get to pick.”
“No, you don't. I don't want to watch a Marvel movie. That's what you're going to play!”
“No I'm not, crybaby. I know some good Christmas movies.”
She scoffed. “Like what?”
“What aboutCrooklyn?”
“Nope. Try again.”
“Tales from the Crypt. Those ugly ass dolls look like the Christmas figurines you have on your table.”
Her body went stiff. “Wow, you're a fucking hater. This is your last chance. Pick a black Christmas movie. Make it good.”
I stroked my beard and focused on the TV. “The Best Man Holiday. You can’t tell me that shit ain’t playa.”
A twinkle in her eyes carried one side of my lips toward the ceiling. “Okay. That’ll work. Can you do me one favor before you get comfortable?”
“Anything.”
Her shoulders crowded around her ears. “Eggnog, please.”
“You have got to be fucking kidding me.”
“Don't be like that. I bought it home from the party. I have a bottle of Hennessy too.”
I rose from the bed. “Don’t try to butter me up. If you start pooting because of that eggnog, I'ma lock your ass in the guest room.”
“Oh my God. Hurry up, so we can start the movie.”
“All right.” I stared her down. “You want to smoke with me?”
She blushed as if I asked if she wanted to spend the rest of her life with me. “I’m down.”
Eager to be next to her, I rushed through the house, hustling to grab everything we needed. I thought I would come back to the room and find Essen putting the movie on, but instead, she was settled in the middle of the bed with mistletoe above her pussy.
“I know I said the eggnog was all I needed, but I lied.”
My tongue jetted over my lips. “There you go again. Being a naughty girl. I got something for that.”
“I was hoping you would say that.”
Epilogue
Loso
My mood was calm when I picked up the phone to return Shiloh’s Facetime call, yet the mean mug on his face put me on edge. Even with him wearing a Santa Claus costume with the white beard included, I could sense his frustration.
“What’s good? You called me?” I asked, breaking the awkward silence.
