“Good morning, Mama. Merry Christmas.”
“Same to you, Son! You and Essen still getting on the road? The snow is coming down out there.”
“Nah, not anymore. The weather is trash, and people forget how to drive when it counts the most. I can’t get on that road with Essen.”
She sucked her teeth. “I’m sorry, baby. I know you guys stayed in Silk Hills to take care of the party.”
“No apology needed. I could tell you and Pops had a good time. I haven’t seen that man dance in years. Trust me, that made it worthwhile.”
“Essen seemed to enjoy herself too,” she rushed to say. “Are you finally ready to admit y’all got a thang going on?”
I chuckled. “She’s mine.”
“Your daddy called it! The day she came over, he said you would marry Essen. I mean, it was obvious when we toured the venue for the party.” She snickered. “That’s why I left you two alone to build gingerbread houses.”
I froze with a carton of eggs in my hand. “Wait. What do you mean? I know the church lady didn’t tell a fib.”
“A little white lie never hurt nobody. When y’all were whispering in the ballroom, I assumed you guys needed time together. I went to church that night, and the pastor asked everyone to write down our Christmas prayer. I prayed for a resolution, peace, and love.” She snickered. “Judging by all that noise you’re making in the background, I would say my Christmas prayer evolved into my baby’s blessing. Whew! Shout out to Jesus and Santa!”
I laughed at her dramatic rant. “You know what, Mama? Yeah. Hell yeah.”
Essen
My eyes sprang open. “It’s Christmas. It’s Christmas, Loso!”
I rested on my back then looked to where Loso fell asleep. The empty space dampened my mood and guided me from his bed. Shitty weather concluded we would be spending our Christmas in Silk Hills, and I didn’t know how to feel about that. On one hand, I wouldn’t have to face my brother, but on the other, I was stuck in the house. After the way Loso spoke to my body last night, I wouldn’t mind spending everyday alone with the smooth talker.
My curiosity led me to check my phone, and as expected, I had a few missed calls from my brother. I called him back a few times, yet he didn’t pick up. I wasn’t sure if he was ignoring me or away from his phone, but I wouldn’t spend the day worrying about it.
Loso’s cold floor led me to slip on his UGG slippers. They had to be at least a size fifteen, but the fur was like a toaster on my feet. Familiar with his home, I freshened up in the guest bathroom then searched for the man of the house.
“Loso.” I sang his name.
The mixture of his voice and the smell of vanilla led me to the kitchen. Satisfied with my view, my arms intertwined over my chest as I propped my body against the doorframe. In nothing but the red candy cane briefs I gave him the night before and a Santa hat, Loso was bare. His muscles made my mouth water as much as the bacon on the stove. His light humming made my heart skip a beat.
“Merry Christmas, pretty girl,” he said with his back to me.
I dragged my feet when nearing him and wrapped my arms around his chest. “Merry Christmas to you too. It’s snowing.” I sighed. “We aren’t making it up north.”
He twisted around and looked at me. “That’s all right. I’d rather spend the day with you anyway. We can play cards, watch movies, and cook dinner together.”
“Dinner? Do you have enough ingredients? We weren’t planning to stay here.”
“Pretty girl, I’m still a big nigga at heart. We will never go hungry. Now, go sit down so we can eat.”
As I lowered myself into a seat at the kitchen table, I sent a quick breath through my nostrils. “Shiloh called me this morning. I missed his calls.”
He nodded. “We talked.”
My neck stretched high. “What? When?”
My personal chef placed a plate in front of me and showcased a smile I always adored.
“We spoke this morning when the snow got heavier,” he answered.
“Was he still upset?”
“Only that we won’t make it out there. I explained my feelings for you and recapped the loyalty I’ve always shown him. I have never done Shiloh wrong. I wouldn’t start by playing with his sister’s heart.”
