Page 33 of Prospect Year

It had been an entertaining day, but Lola was glad the house was quiet again. Everyone had left to go home. Amber had disappeared into her room. She explained she had phone calls to make and studying to do. Mia had disappeared earlier, too. Lola smiled to himself. Probably happy to get away from the chaos.

He checked the house and assured that everything was back in order, then out of habit, or why, he wasn’t sure, he headed back toward the kitchen. It had become routine for him and Mia to have some sort of drink together before retiring. No matter how late, she was usually there waiting for him. He still had not figured out if that routine was for his benefit or hers.

He strolled through the empty kitchen without flipping on the light and walked straight to the fridge and pulled out a beer. Turning back to head upstairs, he caught sight of a glow of light in the yard. He twisted the top of the bottle, flipping the lid in the garbage as he stood in front of the sink, peering through the window. Two days before, he had wrapped the A-frame that held Mia’s macramé chairs in string lights. The glow was faint enough to sit under comfortably, but bright enough to be seen from the house. He returned to the fridge and grabbed a small bottle of juice, placing it on the island. He ran upstairs to his room to retrieve the box Lorelei had brought to him. Returning to the kitchen, he grabbed the last of a chess pie, dividing it onto two plates and grabbed two forks. Tucking the two bottles along with the package under his arm, he lifted the plates and headed outside and across the lawn to sit with Mia.

“Late night. Didn’t expect you to be out here.” He handed her a plate and the juice bottle. She happily accepted and raised the juice to her lips, savoring the taste. He placed his beer on the ground and his plate on the seat of the other swing then pulled the package from his side. Without a word, he slid a roll of material from the bag and spread it over her. Watching her face light up, he smiled, dropped the bag, and grabbed up his plate as he settled into the swing beside her.

She mouthed and signed, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I thought of you when I saw it. It can be worn around your neck how you like, or you can cover up and stay warm. And the color matches your eyes.”

Her eyes widened, looking toward him and patting her chest.

“Yes,” he chuckled, “that’s yours.” He leaned back and together, in silence, they studied the stars and savored their dessert. At the first shiver from Mia, Lola stood and gathered the dishes and bottles and empty gift bag from the ground then switched off the lights sending the swings into darkness. Holding out his hand, he tugged Mia to her feet.

She paused in the kitchen as he placed the dishes in the sink and the bottles in the trash. He turned off the lights and walked with her to her room.

He tugged the shawl over her shoulders and pressed his lips to her head. “Night, Sunshine.”

Chapter 15

Lola opened his eyes to the sun beginning to peek through his window. It was Christmas Day. The only day that he was confident would be quiet and relaxing. Christmas alone. Christmas to himself was not new to him. Since his mother’s death several years ago, he had spent this day alone because he had no other family. Rolling onto his back, he flung his arm over his eyes. He had no plans. Not that he really made plans anymore. The club owned him, and his time was theirs to plan. And plan, they did.

Eight months down and more to go. He grinned. But at least no more hanging lights, assembling Santa gifts, escorting the women on shopping sprees to carry bags, or any other minor holiday chore. All these things were done while maintaining his normal work hours and required club business. But what would fill his time next? He couldn’t say but no doubt tomorrow would set things in motion again.

At least he wasn’t demanded to play Santa. Although Santa was his last task before the club Christmas party last night. He met Santa, a very convincing one at that, at the airport and took him to the clubhouse. A laugh escaped him. Imagine how the kids on that flight felt seeing Santa on the plane when he should be preparing his sleigh for the night. It turned out that Santa was a friend of Brew and Baylee’s. Needless to say, the children were excited to see Santa again. He knew each and every one of them by name and by family.

He rolled his head to glance at the chair in the room. Specifically, to the gift bag in that chair filled with what they called a prospect kit. Every possible pain killer, energy drinks, plus many “helpful” items to carry him through his probate time, including tissues for all his tears. One thing it did not contain was sleeping pills. Not that he needed them, but because it was clearly noted there was no time to rest for a prospect. How true.

He rolled to sit on the side of the bed, dropping his elbows onto his knees. He had family now. He had a father. Mac. Would he want to see him? Probably not. He didn’t mention it last night at the clubhouse. Besides, Mac would be occupied with his girlfriend, Lorelei. Lorelei was great. Lola liked her and they were having a baby. Correction. Two babies. He laughed out loud. Karma. Mac missed his childhood, and now, he would have twins to raise in his fifties.

Lola blew out a breath. Life had not turned out how he had ever imagined. The jury was still out on whether it was the best decision to come here or not. Inhaling deeply, he stood and rolled his neck as he made his way to the tiny bathroom in front of him.

He took his time checking his phone just to make sure no one had demanded his services and tossed it onto the bed, considering his options for the day. They were few, but he hoped deep down that he would not be required to leave the house. A relaxing day with beautiful women was what he needed. Yes, indeed. Just him and his girls. When King had given him the freedom to move from the house months ago, he had opted to stay. He had reluctantly grown to like it here. With both Amber and Mia. He smiled to himself and headed downstairs still in sweatpants.

Cinnamon. He inhaled. Cinnamon, indeed. Following the aroma, he found himself in the kitchen. “What’s all this?” He scanned the dishes of food on the island and on the table.

Mia stood next to the refrigerator returning a bottle of juice. Dressed in the same baggy, cut off sweats she usually wore, he chuckled to himself. She would stay bundled in a coat if she could function that way. She straightened and tilted her head, watching him as he moved closer. Her eyes seemed to twinkle with a light of holiday spirit.

“You’re cooking Christmas dinner?”

Her sweet smile transformed her face as it grew more radiant than he thought possible. “For just us? You have no one else to spend the day with?”

She slowly swung her head side to side, pointing to him and then herself.

What was he getting into? No way could this end well. She was so sweet. He didn’t want to insult her or break her heart. But he wasn’t sure this was a good idea. Not now. Oh, he loved teasing her and watching the color rise in her cheeks just before she looked away. She always looked away and he could only guess why, but he liked it. But this? This seemed a bit personal.

She crooked her two forefingers, hooking them and then flipping them to do it again. He stood motionless. With no response from him, she tapped his chest then her own.

“Woman, you know I don’t know that stuff.”

Tapping their chests again, she didn’t hesitate or show discouragement.

“You and me. Us,” he said.

Nodding, she placed her palms together. Still focused on his face, she pulled then apart.

“Large? Big?” he guessed.