Page 32 of A Game-Changing Christmas

Chapter Nine

“Wooo!”

Bri St. James shook the winter frost off her shoulders as she entered her downtown studio apartment.

“God, it’s cold,” she shrieked, closing the door with the heel of her boot. “Lord, Jesus, be a warm blanket around me.”

She shivered as she strolled to the counter, sitting the bag of groceries and her purse down concurrently.

Working from home had become her ritual on Fridays, but this morning while standing in front of an empty fridge, Bri knew braving the winter winds was on the agenda. Now that she was home and relieved to be out of the cold, Bri shimmied out of her jacket and tossed it across the back of a stool that was stationed in front of the mini island. On a twirl, she reached to open a cabinet pulling Folgers House Blend out and turning on her coffee maker.

Bri sighed. It had been five days since seeing Raphael at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

After picking up food from his father’s house, Raphael had climbed back into the Land Rover with a rectangular case, sealed and warm to the touch.

“That’s a pretty large food warmer,” Bri had said.

Raphael sat the bag on the back seat. “We’ve got one bigger than this.”

Bri’s brows lurched.

“Our family can get massive at times. My grandmother has a whole clan stationed around her in St. Louis. We’re usually together during the holidays, but schedules are tight this year.”

Bri nodded. “I suppose so with everyone running their own business.”

Raphael pulled back on to the road, headed for the highway.

“Our family has always been that way. When I was five years old, my mother’s and father’s rising careers were in the news. My grandmother and Aunts Ida, Cherry, and Bernice own a chain of soul food restaurants in St. Louis. And the only uncle I have, Ron, is a stand-up comedian. I’d say he’s pretty good, too. You should hear his routine.”

“Wait, what’s your uncle’s full name?”

Raphael chuckled. “He calls himself Ron Valentino.” Raphael shook his head. “He’s a character.”

“I know him!”

“You do?”

“I mean, I don’t know him, know him, but I’ve heard of him, and I think watched a brief standup with him on BET.” Bri’s eyes lit up. “Oooh, I’d love to see him in person.” She giggled and warmed all over at Raphael’s rapturous smile.

“We should go then. I’ll check and see when his next show is.”

“Really?”

He offered her a warm eye and contagious grin. “Yeah.”

Bri blushed and nodded.

“Maybe we could stop by one of my grandmother’s restaurants while we’re there.”

Bri’s gaze twinkled. “I would be honored and amazed to.”

Their gazes met and held then Raphael took his sight back to the road.

“I got you something to eat by the way. Real food.”

A glint of humor flashed across her face. “So, my ice cream isn’t real food?” Her brow arched.

“Nah, it’s a tease.”

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