Authors: Janet A. Mota
Chapter 2
Meeting
Dylan
She gives me a shy smile and blood immediately rushes to places it shouldn’t be going at this particular moment. I release her hand. “Yes, I’m Amber.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” I tell her and she blushes.
Shit that’s sexy!
Where in hell has Miranda been hiding this beauty?
My eyes travel down her body. She is short and petite. She can’t be more than five two. Her hair is jet black and flows down her back. Her eyes are baby blue and like glass. I feel like I can see right through them. She has the perfect amount of curves in all the right places. I look into her eyes again and smile. “Come on. Let’s sit.”
I pull out her chair for her. She sits and I take the seat right next to her. Miranda sits on the other side of her. Amber puts her hands in her lap and is staring at them. I wish I could make her more comfortable. Just then, Miranda leans toward her.
“Amber, ignore my brother. I hope he didn’t make you uncomfortable.”
“No, not at all. He’s been a perfect gentleman.” Amber tells her and gives me that shy smile again.
“Thank you Amber.” I say and stick my tongue out at Miranda. This makes Amber giggle and we get on with dinner.
****
Dinner goes smoothly. The food is awesome, as usual. Mom can definitely cook a meal. I also love that Amber ate with no qualms. No signs of dieting there. The last two dates I went on were girls who would rather drink water than eat. I hate that. Needless to say, there were no more dates after that. I am at a place in my life where I am looking to settle down. I finished school two years ago and I just moved into a brand new house. Now that I’m in a good place, I want a relationship. Amber piques my interest in so many ways. I definitely want to get to know her.
Amber stands and starts picking up dishes. “Sweetheart, you are our guest. Please sit.” My mom tells her.
“Thank you Claire but I would love to help out.” Amber grabs her stack of plates and heads toward the kitchen.
“I’ll help.” I say and grab another stack of plates. Miranda stands and picks up some platters and we follow Amber into the kitchen. Amber is at the sink and filling it with water to let the plates soak. She smiles at both of us and goes back into the dining room for the rest of the food trays. I put more dirty dishes into the sink. Miranda starts packing away the leftover food and I open the dishwasher. Amber walks back in.
“Dylan, I’ll wash by hand. There is no need for that.” She says.
“That’s not necessary. That’s what it’s for.”
“I know but those plates are too nice to put in there. I’ll wash and you dry.” She walks up to the sink and starts washing.
“Sounds great. I’ll finish packing the food and then I’ll put them away.” Miranda says.
****
Fifteen minutes later, the dishes are washed, dried and put away. Amber walks to the coffee pot and I point toward the freezer. She preps the machine and starts the brew. We have been making small talk and I am finding myself enthralled by her. She is extremely smart and efficient, not to mention sexy as hell. So far, I really like what is in front of me.
We head back into the dining room with coffee and dessert. Everyone is served and enjoying simple conversation when my dad starts his grilling.
“So Amber. Tell us about your family.”
Amber immediately tenses but she smiles and answers. “It’s just me, my brother and sister.”
“You don’t have parents?”
“They died six years ago sir.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Thank you. We are okay.” She never breaks eye contact but I can tell she wants to bolt.
“How old are your siblings?”
“My brother will be eighteen in a few months and my sister is thirteen.”
“How old are you dear?”
“I’m twenty-four, sir.”
“Have you been the sole caregiver to your siblings all these years?”
“Yes sir.”
I don’t know what to say or think about what she just revealed to everyone. This poor girl has had it rough. Dad clears his throat and I cut him off.
“Dad, how about that game of pool?”
“Ah yes. Ladies, will you excuse us.” He says as he stands. Amber looks over at me and smiles. I stand and head out of the dining room with my father and uncle. I’m disappointed to have to leave her but there is no way I am going to let my dad push her. I get the feeling that she’s been pushed to her limits already. She’s definitely got my attention.
Chapter 3
The Walk
Amber
An hour later, Miranda and I are sitting in the family room in front of the fireplace. We are talking about our Christmas traditions and what she has been up to since we graduated high school. Claire and Aunt Judy went to the craft room to discuss a knitting project. Miranda just finished telling me that she has a Master’s Degree in Business Management.
“I am very happy for you. Is there a lucky guy in your life?” I ask her.
“No. I dated a few but they were all duds.” She laughs. “One guy didn’t even want to go out on a date. He just wanted to go right back to my place and mess around.”
I shake my head. “No class. Did he really think you would go to bed with him just like that?”
“Yes. A lot of college guys are like that.” I stare at her. She’s dead serious and I can’t fathom it. She smiles at me.
“I think my brother likes you.”
I look at her. “No way. He won’t if he knows what’s best for him. I’m pretty sure that he’s going to stay far away from me based on the dinner conversation.”
“I don’t think so. I think you piqued his interest.” She places her hand on mine. “He’s awesome and I’m not just saying that because he’s my brother. If he is interested, you should give him a chance. My brother isn’t an angel. He’s been with other girls but he isn’t a player. He respects women and will be there for you always. He’s extremely loyal and fiercely protective of those he loves.”
I nod. “You have a wonderful family and I’m sure he’s just as wonderful but I’m not the girl for him or to bring into this family. I have so much baggage. Your parents would kick me out of the house if they knew my history. They wouldn’t want their son with an uneducated girl anyway.” I look down and lock my eyes on a beautifully wrapped gift. I have never seen anything so pretty. I wouldn’t want to open it or touch it, for that matter.
“Look at me.” I look into her brown eyes. “We would be honored to have you in our family. You have a heart of gold and one of the most amazing people I know. You are strong and resilient. Your baggage is a reflection of you. Life hasn’t been fair to you. I don’t know what happened before high school graduation but I do know that you have had it rough. I am here for you always.”
“Thank you.” I whisper.
Men’s voices enter the family room. We look up to see the three men walking into the room and Andrew clicks on the television. “How about a Christmas movie?” He asks as Claire and Judy walk back into the room too.
“Sounds great.” Voices say in unison.
“I will make some popcorn and get some drinks.” Claire says.
“I’ll help.” Miranda says and gets up off the floor.
Dylan walks over to me and extends a hand to help me up. I place my hand in his and get up. “Want to take a walk around the property?”
“I would love to. I could use some fresh air.”
“We’ll be back in a few minutes. Don’t start the movie without us.”
“It’s cold out there you two. Bundle up.” Claire says and I smile at her. That small little motherly advice makes me happy and sad. I miss my mom.
****
A few minutes later, we are outside. Dylan leads me to the backyard. We walk down this small path. It’s dark so I can’t really make out much but for tall trees. When we reach the end of the path, a gazebo is there. It’s all white and covered in white twinkly lights. It looks like a scene right out of a movie. It’s so beautiful and I’ve never seen anything like that. I step into it and look around. The detail is amazing.
“My dad and I built it together.” Dylan says.
“Wow! You did an amazing job.”
“Thanks. Go to the end there. It’s sitting on the water.”
I step to the end and look down. It sure is sitting on the water. To my right is a door that opens onto the dock. The views are spectacular from any place you stand. It has to be beautiful being out here watching all the seasons go by.
“It really is gorgeous.” I turn and look at him. He’s watching me and I smile. “Thank you for rescuing me during dinner.”
He stuffs his hands in his pockets. “Don’t mention it. Dad can get a little pushy.”
“It’s his home and I’m a guest. It’s only natural for him to want to get to know me.”
“True but he didn’t have to go about it in that manner. I’m sorry and I hope he didn’t cross any lines.”
“No, not at all.” I cross my arms. “It seems like it’s getting colder by the minute.”
“Come on. Let’s go back in.” We start back down the path. “Would you like to go to dinner sometime?”
“I would like to but my schedule is so hectic. Maybe we can work something out.”
“Sounds good.”
A few minutes later, we are back in the family room. Dylan, Miranda and I are sitting on the floor with a huge bowl of popcorn and soft drinks. The movie begins and the rest of the night is spent laughing and having the best time.
Chapter 4
Inquiries
Dylan
It’s Christmas morning and I’m lying in bed staring at the ceiling. I stayed at my parents’ house last night because I was too tired to drive home. I spent most of the night tossing and turning. I am exhausted. I keep seeing Amber and wondering about her. I want to get to know her but I have a sinking feeling that she’s going to make it difficult. I am mesmerized by this girl. No other girl has ever affected me this way. I cannot stop thinking about her and I didn’t even get her number. I don’t even know if I’ll see her again. I need to see her again though. Everything about her captivates me. She’s beautiful, smart, shy, extremely sexy, brave and beautifully complicated. Those ice blue eyes keep appearing in my mind. They are so sad and tired.
I look at the clock and the red lights read six thirty in the morning. I sit up and I can hear mom and dad downstairs. Our Christmas Day tradition is to be downstairs by seven. We open presents, have a heavy breakfast and then take naps because we were up so late the night before. Once everyone is awake, we relax the afternoon and have a nice dinner. I wonder what Amber’s Christmas tradition is. A knock comes from the door and it pulls me from my thoughts.
“Come in.”
Miranda peeks her head in. “Merry Christmas, big brother.”
“Merry Christmas.” I smile at her. “Come in and sit with me a minute.” She walks in and sits next to me on the bed. “I want to talk to you about Amber.”
“I knew it! You like her!” She whispers loudly. I laugh.
“Yes I do but I feel like I’m going to get nowhere really fast. She doesn’t seem interested.”
“Amber is awesome and I think you two would be great together. I mentioned it to her yesterday and she was shocked that a guy would even be interested.” She shook her head in disbelief. “She has been through hell and back. The girl has more responsibility on her plate than anyone I know.”
“What’s her story?” I ask in hopes to get a better understanding.
“That is her story to tell. Plus, I’ve only heard rumors. I don’t know the whole story and I don’t want to tell you something that’s wrong.”
“So what do I do now? I didn’t get her number.” I place my elbows on my knees and put my head in my hands.
“I know she works at the mall. I don’t know what store though. Why don’t you come with me tomorrow?” I look at her like she has lost her mind.
“The mall is a mad house the day after Christmas. I made the mistake going with you a few years ago and vowed never to go again.”
“Come on. I will bring you coffee and I will take you to lunch. Plus, there is a good chance you will see Amber and find out a little more about her. You never know, maybe even get her number this time around.”
“You don’t play fair.”
“I know.” She stands and sticks her hand out to help me up. “Let’s go open presents.”
****
Amber
It was six this morning when I got out of bed. I spent all night staring at my ceiling so I decided to start doing the deep cleaning I planned to do today. My brother and sister went to spend Christmas with our aunt and uncle in New Orleans. They are our only relatives. I was invited to go too but I have to work. It’s nice to get a break for the first time in six years but I miss them. I try to make Christmas and birthdays very special for them. I started our own traditions and they seem to look forward to them.
It is now two in the afternoon and the house is completely clean. What the hell do I do now? I go into my bedroom and come back to the living room with a book in my hand. I picked this one up at the used book store a few months ago and I haven’t had the chance to read it. I lie on the couch and start to read. I read the first few lines and close the book. I can’t concentrate on what I read. My mind has been on Dylan all day even though I have been trying not to. I’ve tried my hardest to not allow it but he got under my skin last night. I like him and would like to get to know him but I am terrified of what will happen when he finds out my story. My heart doesn’t care about any of that though and I really like him. There’s something about him that is pulling me to him. How can I expect any man to take on my burdens? It’s just not fair to put anyone in that situation.
I pick up the book again and attempt to start reading again. My eyes start to close and I drift off to sleep.