Taste Like Candy
MADDOX
“Why the hell are you paying twenty-five damn dollars for a candle?” I picked up one of the three-wick candles and smelled it. Cringing at the strong scent of chocolate and cream, I set it back down and picked up another one. This one was a little more subtle. It smelled like apples and spices.
“I have a coupon,” Taylar said, taking the candle from me and putting it in her basket. “Besides, these make really good gifts.”
“Why not just buy gift cards?”
“Because they’re not thoughtful,” she said with a shrug. “At least, the receiver knows I put some thought into it.”
“Yeah, that’s bullshit.” I didn’t understand that reasoning. When I bought a gift card, I considered many things before purchasing. Did the receiver like to eat out? Would they use a spa gift certificate, or would they rather get free coffee for a week? But somehow gift cards were deemed impersonal. Go figure.
Once Taylar paid for her overpriced bath and body products, we went to the next store. Briarwood Mall had once been a bustling mall. Today, though, many of the stores were closed and shops were empty. I’d spent the afternoon with my sister, listening as she talked my ear off about work, her new build, and her potential soulmates. —As in plural, more than one, because she couldn’t choose between the engineer or the chef.
“How about you choose the one who makes you happiest?” I suggested as we entered yet another store.
“Maddox, that’s not good advice. They both make me happy in different ways.” She tapped her chin. “Maybe I should just have sex with both of them and base my decision on who gives the best orgasm?”
I groaned. “Whoa! We’re not talking about your sex life, Tay.”
“Why not?” She hunched a shoulder. “I’m a grown-ass woman.”
“You’re still mylittlesister.”
She giggled, waving a dismissive hand. “Whatever. How do you know Sloane?”
Ignoring the question, I stopped at a kiosk and eyed the gift cards. “Think Olivia would prefer Macy’s?”
“I’m thinking you two hooked up in the past because that definitely wasn’t the type of kiss you’d give a stranger.”
I held up two different gift cards. “Pottery Barn or Nordstrom?”
“Have you talked to her?”
The simple answer was no. But I’d called Sloane at least twice since the party. She’d yet to return my call, or even text me back. “Maybe she would enjoy a trip to the day spa? Doesn’t your best friend own one? I’d prefer to support a black business.”
“Yes, she does,” she replied. “You know, several of the women at my party asked about you. That kiss shut everyone down, though. Akira talked about it for the rest of the night. Too bad she’s fixated on Broderick. He’s such a jerk.”
The fact that sweet Akira wanted my asshole brother didn’t sit well with me. But if I responded to that, Tay would view that as permission to ask more aboutmylove life. “What about Neiman Marcus?”
She let out a frustrated curse. “I hate you. Fine. I’ll drop the subject. And I told you… Mom would love a gift from the heart.”
“Maybe I don’t have a heart anymore,” I joked. Except I was only half-kidding. And, unfortunately, I couldn’t take the words back once I’d said them.
“Maddox?”
Letting out a heavy sigh, I dropped my head. This trip wasn’t supposed to be like this. Grief was a normal process. I’d been through all the phases multiple times over the past year. But breaking down in the mall? That was new for me. Most days, I was good. But, damn, I missed my momma. As much as I loved and appreciated Olivia, I wished I was shopping for my mother too.
Christmas had beenourholiday. Right about now, I’d be grocery shopping with her, helping her purchase gifts for everyone she loved, and hanging her many ornaments on the tree only for her to move them to a different spot. Life was very different without her, and I didn’t know how to feel about that.
I felt Tay next to me, watching me. I didn’t look up at her, but I imagined sadness clouding her features, tears swimming in her eyes. “Stop staring at me like that,” I ordered.
“I’m worried about you,” she said, her voice thick with emotion.
I peered at her then, and just like I thought, her eyes were wet, red. “Please don’t cry,” I said as I fought back my own tears. “I’m fine.”
“I’m sure you tell everyone that, but I’m me. We’re us.”
