Only Christmas

“Your mother is over the moon about this. I know I shouldn’t be poking into your personal life, Hunter, but I didn’t want this to end up crushing your mother in the end. I didn’t want her to get her hopes up if the marriage was a façade. She’s already falling for the girl. You should have seen her when she was telling me about her. Her whole face was lit up, and she was so animated.” Edwin smiles for a moment before his face grows serious again. “She’s been worried about you. I know it may seem like she’s nagging you at times, but she only wants the best for you. And for you to find happiness in something other than work.”

“I’m going to do better,” I admit. Edwin’s brows lift in surprise. “I’ve been selfish.”

“Not selfish; you’re still healing. Losing a father is a lot to deal with.” He pours us both another drink. “I lost mine right after I graduated high school. I understand what a void it leaves in you. It almost killed me. I made some mistakes myself. Ended up knocking up the wrong girl, but it did get me my daughter. I married the woman thinking it was the right thing to do because I wanted to try to be a good father like my own, but that blew up in my face.” He shakes his head.

Yes, Edwin’s first wife was a bit of a mess. I’d read all about her in the report of the private investigator I hired before my mother married Edwin. I’d done it to all the men she’d married in the past, always wanting to make sure I knew what I was dealing with. Edwin is right, though. My mom had taken her own path trying to get over her broken heart. We all really do try to heal in our own ways.

My mom and I went about things very differently. She sought to find love anywhere she could while I tried to lock it out, not wanting to be hurt again. I’d gone as far as even making space between my mother and me, which was fucking stupid. What would have happened if I lost her during that time? It would have made me angry at the time I’d pissed away. The space didn’t make me love my mother less.

“I know it might be sudden to everyone, me getting married, but as you can see, Aspen already has me seeing the error of my ways.”

“I’m not one to pass judgment on getting married quickly. I had a ring on Sophia’s finger in a week and down the aisle a month later.” He smiles at the memory.

“I remember.” I take a sip of my drink before pushing it away. I need to keep a clear head.

“You have to know at this point I love your mother. She’s my everything.”

“I do. In fact, I want to say thank you. You’ve been there for her when I couldn’t be.”

“This girl really does have you seeing things differently.”

“She does.” I smile. “In fact, I’m going to go find her now. It’s been a long day.”

I’m done sharing her. It’s time to fully claim my wife.

16

Aspen

“You’re Cinderella.” Webster sits on the rail of the column patio wall swinging her legs back and forth as she sips on her whiskey. Tiny snowflakes fall all around us, making it look as though I really am in some sort of fairy tale. “Take a drink. It will keep you nice and toasty.” She offers her glass to me. I take it from her, sniffing it. “It’s not bad, try it.”

I tentatively bring it to my lips, taking a small sip. Warm cherry and a hint of oak fills my mouth. At least what I think oak would taste like. “It’s not bad.”

“Better be good at six hundred dollars a bottle.”

“What!” I push the glass back toward her, making her laugh.

“I think you can afford it now.”

“It’s not like I have a stack of cash or something.” In fact, I don’t have anything but what’s in my bank account, and that isn’t much. I actually should have gotten paid today. But it’s not like that will help me any. No sooner than the deposit goes in, it’s already on its way out to cover bills.

“Your dress definitely costs more than a bottle of this stuff.” She raises the glass in a cheers motion and then shoots it back.

“I’m not sure what it cost.” But I’m sure she’s right.

The material isn't like anything I’ve worn before. It’s soft and smooth against my skin. I guess most things would feel that way, though, when you’re used to wearing a uniform that feels a lot like a Brillo pad.

“You going to tell me how you ended up hitched to Hunter Hoffman? I was sure the gossipy text I got today was bullshit, but here you are all dolled up with a wedding ring on your finger that cost more than a lot of people's houses.” I run my fingers along the underside of my ring. I hadn’t even let myself think about how much it cost.