Page 7 of Rekindle

Even if the disease slowly consumed her, she stood and embraced Gareth. He returned her hug with a gentleness I knew he possessed.

“This is Gareth.”

Mom scanned him from head to toe in awe, as if she’d never seen a man before. Men like him appeared in television shows and seemed unreal. But in this very moment, he was tangible.

“The man who stole my daughter’sheart. You are very handsome,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.

“Actually, she stole mine first.” Gareth looked at me for affirmation. “Nice meeting you.” He leaned down and kissed her cheeks.

It was just us three in the living room while the rowdy party continued in the kitchen. Dad peeked every so often to see if Mom was okay, while simultaneously arguing over a domino match.

“The yellow roses were beautiful. Thank you.” Mom said to Gareth.

“Nina mentioned you loved them months ago. How are you feeling?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “I have no hair.” She laughed ruefully, removing her hat and rubbing her bald head with her hands. “Don’t have to worry about going to the hair salon. But I hope I can move on from this.”

“If you need anything, please let me know. It’s not a burden to ask for help.”

Mom continued as if she didn’t hear, “You are so well-dressed. You didn’t have to come in a suit.”

“I wanted to impress the hostess.” He smiled and winked as he took the jacket and loosened his necktie. It was getting warm in here.

“Mom.” Her responses weren’t immediate, and it took time for her to process and turn her focus on me. “I’m going to change. I’ll be back.”

“There is a dress I had your aunt order for you. I hope you like it.”

I nodded and headed to my room while she continued in conversation with Gareth.All eyes were on me as I made my way through the kitchen. I could almost hear the questions in their heads,but they knew better than to ask. I had never beena sharer.

I didn’t wantadvice from my extended family. I loved them, but they were nosey. Only my parents’ advice ever mattered.And even that I took with a grain of salt, which usually ended in “I told you so” from them.

I turned back one more time to see if things were okay in the living room.Gareth made my mom laugh, which was major. Dad had told mehow much he missed hearing my mother laughat silly jokes and memories.

I slipped into my old room and I put on a black dress with thin straps. I managed to tame my brown hair into soft curls to fit the occasion. My cousin Tina sneaked into my room and sat on the edge of the bed.

“Where did you meet him?” she asked, sitting at the edge of my bed. So rude. “What did you do to get a guy like that?”

“I met him at a coffee shop.” It was the only thought that came into mind. “And I didn’t do anything. I was just myself.”

“Okay. I just didn’t think men like him would…well, I mean he’s so busy. Usually, men like him go on business trips for the holidays, not a family party in the Bronx.”

“Well, he is here. How would you know, anyway?”

Tina smiled and walked to the door. She did travel in real estate circles here in New York and in Chicago, so maybe she would know. “He’s a public figure, Nina. Who doesn’t know Gareth Cole?”

Chapter 4

With a wink and a smile, my mom left Gareth and me in the living room, leaning heavily on my dad’s arm. I remained in the corner, unsure what would happen next. Gareth calmly came to me, gripped my waist, and pulled me against his chest.

I enjoyed how my bodysankagainst him. His head rested between my shoulder and neck. My eyelids fluttered when notes of his sexy cologne hit my nose.

My arms pulled around his shoulders to bring him even closer. I could feel his heartbeat. The tip of his finger dug against my skin where he held me. Then he turned me around and kissed my shoulder, but not before his teeth gently gnawed on my shoulder.

I giggled against his chest.

“Thank you for making my mom laugh and smile.”

“Your mom has a feeling about us.”

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