“Don’t be late.”
*****
“We are having six for dinner.” He had showered and changed into comfortable sweats and a thick blue sweater; his hair still slightly damp from the water.
Her eyes widened. “Benjamin is bringing more people?”
“My assistant Rosa had no plans for dinner and was grateful when I invited her,” he said smoothly as he went over to pour another cup of coffee. “She is bringing her boyfriend.”
“That’s wonderful! I stood here looking at the amount of food and realized that I had gone overboard with the cooking. But I thought- “she shook her head. “Never mind.” She walked over and hugged him from behind. “Thanks.”
He closed his eyes as he felt her warm body against his and had to struggle not to react.
“You are welcome,” he told her casually as she let go of him and went back to the counter. “Okay, sit while I serve you breakfast, and you can tell me all about your Christmas growing up.”
He was amazed at how efficient she was! By the time it was getting to the hour she had designated for dinner, everything was finished with the turkey simmering inside the oven. “Okay, I am going to shower and get dressed before they get here.” She took off her apron and hung it on the peg at the door. “I have to tell you something.”
“You want me to watch the turkey for you?” he asked teasingly.
She rolled her eyes and he laughed. “I hate cleaning up.”
“We will leave it for the housekeeper tomorrow.”
“She is not coming tomorrow, and I would never do that.”
“I am not good at cleaning up either.”
“So, we both do it after everyone have left.”
“Or here is a better idea. I hire someone to come in and do it.”
“On Christmas Day?”
“I am sure there are people out there who would love the chance to earn some money, even on Christmas Day,”
“You are incorrigible!” She said shaking her head. “We are cleaning up and that’s that.”
He grinned as he watched her leave the room and headed upstairs. A glance at his watch showed that it was almost a quarter of one, which means that it was time he went up and get ready as well. He had just left the kitchen when the doorbell rang. “Dammit!”
“I got it!” he called to her as she peered down. “Go and get ready.”
“Okay.”
He pulled the doors open to find his uncle and an attractive brunette wearing a burgundy sweater and dark blue dress pants.
“Here is my gorgeous Gray!” she said enthusiastically as she moved into his arms and reached up to plant a kiss on his mouth.
“Marlette, nice to see you.” He eased out of her arms and sent his uncle a dry look. “You are early.”
“We decided to head on over here. Hope you don’t mind?” he stepped into the warmth of the place and sniffed appreciatively. “Something smells incredible!” he handed his nephew a bottle of burgundy. “I know Shelby is not drinking but that does not mean we cannot.”
“Thank you.” He stepped back and allowed them to pass him. “Marlette you can go on into the living room while I have a word with my uncle.” He pulled Benjamin into the dining room where the table was already set.
“It is a cozy scene you have going on here.” Benjamin drawled as he shoved his hands into his pockets and eyed the snowy white tablecloth. “Don’t tell me you have become domesticated?”
“What if I have?”
Benjamin’s eyebrows lifted. “I would say it is about time.”
“Don’t let on that I invited you at the last minute.”
“But you did.”
“I don’t want her to know that I was trying to smooth things over for her.”
Benjamin rocked back on his heels and eyed him speculatively.
“What?”
“It’s a good look on you and one I never thought I would see. Your dad had the same look when he met your mother.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about.” Gray muttered.
Benjamin clapped him on the back. “Go and get ready. I will hold down the fort.”
*****
Shelby was seated at the eighteen chairs dining table with complete strangers and was actually enjoying herself and the compliments she was getting for the cooking.
“Hey! I helped.” Gray protested.
“Yea right,” Benjamin snorted. “Should I tell them of the time when you tried to cook hotdogs?”
“Shut up, if you know what is good for you.” Gray warned him.
“So, we are alone at the manor one hot summer night by the pool and Romeo here decided to invite the latest crush of his for dinner. The entire staff had been given the time off for the weekend and instead of heeding my advice and ordering pizza, he decided that he wanted to cook hotdogs for his date, to impress her.”
“Ben- “
“Go on Benjamin.” Shelby said with a sparkle in her dark brown eyes. She had showered and was wearing one of her designs, a colorful red and green African print pants suit with a matching head tie that covered her hair and drifted down her back. Big silver hoops were in her lobes and her makeup was minimal and left her face glowing. She was exquisite and when she laughed, he could not take his eyes off her! “I want to hear the entire thing.”
“Anything for you darling.” he said with a grin. “So, there he was setting up the grill by the poolside, all excited about doing the cooking and having the girl come over. Some cheerleader, the most popular girl in school. I warned him again and offered to call the pizza place, but he refused, and I left him alone. I decided to give them some privacy because as you know that three is a crowd and all that, so I went inside to watch the game as soon as the girl came over. To cut the long story short, I heard the screams and ran out there, my heart inside my throat, wondering what I was going to say to my brother and sister-in-law about being responsible and that was when I saw it.”
“What?” Rosa asked in fascination, avoiding her boss’ look.
“The grill and Gray flowing inside the pool and a very horrified cheerleader staring at him. Apparently, boy genius over here poured too much oil into the grill and everything went up in flames.”
“What did you do?” Shelby asked after she finished laughing.
“My loving uncle stood there laughing at my acute embarrassment.” Gray said dryly.
“And the girl,” Jeff, Rosa’s boyfriend asked.
“She thought I was cool.” Gray said smugly.
“Of course, she did,” Shelby said dryly. “Hotdogs, Gray? That is so basic, even a kid could make it.”
“I was a kid!”
“You were fifteen.” she pointed out. “Hey, Rosa and Marlette, could you help me get the pies from the kitchen?”
“Sure thing, honey,” Marlette responded as she got to her feet. “Even though I am not sure I can eat another mouthful. This was the best meal I had in ages.”
‘Thank you.” Shelby said with a smile as she led the way to the kitchen.
“Shall we, gentlemen?” Gray said pushing back his chair. “I have an excellent selection in the living room.”