“Yeah,” Derek said excitedly. “I’m getting chocolate. What are you getting?”
“Vanilla.”
“I wish Cleo could come with us. She always gets a sundae.”
“Yeah.” I smiled. “But I’m sure she’ll come next time.”
Ten
Cleo
I walked in the door to Derek sitting on the couch, eating a snack, while Patricia worked in the kitchen. “Hey, Derek.”
He quickly chewed his apples so he wouldn’t talk with his mouth full. “Hey, Cleo. Dad and I went Christmas shopping yesterday. I think you’re gonna like what he got you.”
“Yeah?” I asked. “Now I’m excited.”
“But my gift is better.”
I chuckled. “I’m sure it is.” I went into the kitchen and saw Patricia pull out the tray from the oven. “Hey, Patricia. How are you?”
“Great. Just finished dinner. When will Mr. Hamilton be home?”
“He texted me and said he was on his way. I can take over from here.”
She pulled off her mitts and set them on the counter. “Anything you need before I go?”
“No, you’ve done great. Have a good Christmas.”
“You too, Cleo.” She turned away.
“Patricia?”
“Yes?” She turned back.
“How are you getting along with Mr. Hamilton?”
“Honestly, he’s an easy client. Doesn’t need much and doesn’t say much. My uncle was a very gifted man, so I’m kinda used to people like him at that point. But I do hope he warms up after a while…”
“Yeah, it took me a long time to break through those gates.”
“How does he feel about me?”
“No complaints, so that’s a good sign.” I smiled.
“Good. Well, goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
She said goodbye to Derek before she grabbed her coat and left.
I plated the food and set the table. “What do you think about Patricia?”
“She’s cool,” Derek said as he watched TV. “She can’t really help me with my homework, though.”
“Your father can answer any questions you have when he gets back.” I set the table with a bottle of wine with two glasses and three glasses of water. “He should be here any minute.” I joined Derek in the living room, seeing his model on the coffee table so he could work on it while watching his shows. “Are you excited for Christmas break?”
He nodded. “Dad said we could go to the cabin.”
“Great. I love the cabin.”
“And then my birthday is right after Christmas.”
“What should we do?”
“I was going to ask Dad if I could have a birthday party at the planetarium.”
“Ooh…that’s a great idea.” I wished I’d thought of it myself.
The door opened, and Deacon walked inside, sexy as hell in his leather jacket and dark jeans. He shed his coat and hung it up on the hanger, then set his satchel on the entryway table. He wore a long-sleeved shirt underneath, dark gray. “Hey, baby.” He greeted me with a deep voice, a handsome smile, and a heart that was visible on his sleeve.
“Hey.” I felt life and excitement rush into me every time I saw him, like my heart would break because it couldn’t contain all the love inside.
He walked over to me, wrapped his arms around my waist, and he kissed me in front of his son. He tugged me close to his chest, wrapping me in warm affection that chased away the cold that swept across New York.
When he pulled back, he rubbed his nose against mine before he released me.
“Excited for Christmas break?”
“I usually go into the office alone, but I think this time, I’ll stay home with you guys.”
I smiled. “That’s nice.”
“Nowhere else I’d rather be.” He kissed the corner of my mouth then turned to Derek.
Geez, I was so deep in love, it was ridiculous.
“Hey, little man.” Deacon leaned down and kissed him on the head. “How was your last day of school?”
“Sad. I’m gonna miss everyone. But I’m also excited for Christmas.”
“Looks like dinner is ready. Get washed up, and we’ll eat.”
“Okay.” Derek went into the bathroom down the hallway to wash his hands.
Deacon walked to the table and sat down, taking a drink of the wine sitting there. “How was your day?”
“Good. Just busy.”
“Are you going to be busy during the holidays?”
I took a seat and grabbed my fork even though I would wait for Derek to join us. “Not really. Once the holidays come, people get busy and they travel, and they aren’t really here. I guess it’s kind of my vacation time.”
“Good.”
“And I thought about what you said, and I think I am going to talk to Mr. Kline about that raise.”
He took another sip and licked his lips. “You should.”
“There’s actually an apartment that just opened up next door, and it’s gorgeous. So close. If he gives me a thirty percent raise, I could afford it. I know the owner, so I asked if he could hold it for me until after the new year. He said yes.”
He held on to the stem of his glass and turned it gently, his eyes watching the light hit the edge. His good mood changed noticeably, lessened obviously. He took a drink then pushed the glass away entirely. “How about we don’t worry about the apartment right now?”