Page 12 of A Holiday Lift
“Always.”
I sink inside her, the warmth of her body wrapping around me like a blanket. I moan as she grips me, and then I make love to her, giving her everything I have.
* * *
“I’m freaking out.”Holly is pacing at the exit from the terminal, shaking her hands as though she can expel the nervous energy. I try not to smile, but she’s so damn cute. This is what she does before a pitch, and since we’re in different departments, I never get to see this side of her anymore.
“Relax,” I tell her, pulling her to my chest. “It’ll be fine.”
“I want your family to like me.”
“And they do.”
She gives me a skeptical side eye and then pushes away from me. “We should’ve gone there.”
“Holly, stop, it’ll be fine. My mother likes you, and she’ll like you even more after she gets to know you better. Just . . . deep breaths.”
This Christmas I have big plans. Everything is in motion, I just need our families to get here and do their part to make the surprise go off without issues.
My phone pings.
Mom: Deboarding now.
Me: Holly and I are here waiting for you.
Mom: Can’t wait to see you.
I don’t missthat she didn’t saybothof you. I’m an only child, and after the loss of my father, she’s become a bit overprotective. I think she believed I would move back to California after college, forgetting that she was the one who encouraged me to attend Northwestern, where I fell in love with the city and my job.
I take Holly’s hand, standing as the people exit, passing the security desk. “I promise, this Christmas is going to be perfect.”
Holly lets out a sigh, giving me a warm smile. “It already is.”
I lean down, pressing my lips to hers. “Just be you, sweetheart. There’s not a person who can resist you.”
As I stare into those blue eyes, I hear someone clearing their throat.
Both our heads snap over. “Mom!”
“Dean, my sweet boy!”
I don’t care that I’m thirty-four and a grown man, when my mother pulls me in for a hug, everything feels like it’s possible. All the plans I’ve been agonizing over for the past few weeks, and even the stress of my mother coming, disappears.
It’s going to be fine.
It has to be fine.
Mom releases me and smiles at Holly. “It’s so good to see you,” she says.
It’s as though all the air that was being held in a balloon releases, and Holly hugs my mother. “I hope your flight was good.”
“It was. Long, and really, you didn’t need to upgrade me.” My mother pats my cheek. “But it was sweet.”
“It was Holly’s idea.”
She turns to her. “Thank you, dear. It’s great that Dean has someone to take care of him.”
I want to argue with her, but then my phone rings. “It’s the office, I have to take this,” I say before excusing myself.
