In between sips of her coffee, Amy scurries around the kitchen cleaning up and putting things away. “I’m a moody eater. Do you mind if we play it by ear?”
“Sure thing.”
My phone vibrates and I check the screen to see that it’s my assistant, Kandace. “I gotta take this.”
“Okay,” she whispers. “I’m going to take a shower.”
“Hey Kandace. Happy Christmas Eve.”
“Happy Christmas Eve to you. The event at the Children’s Hospital is going to be a giant Zoom call now.”
“Things are that bad, huh?”
“Well, the snow is supposed to stop around noon, and the city is doing its best to get things up and running. But Mr. Silas doesn’t want to take any unnecessary risks. He’s rescheduled the in-person event for the twenty-sixth. I’m sending you all the details and adding it to your calendar.”
“Thanks Kandace.”
“You’re welcome. Have fun.”
The call ends and my hands scrub down my face. A Zoom call. How disappointing for the kids. I refill my coffee mug and blow out a deep breath.
I dial Donnie’s cell and he picks up on the second ring.
“Hey man, what’s up?”
“How bad do you think the roads really are, Donnie?”
“I’d say they’re definitely slick. Road crews are out, desperately working on the city streets. They should be fine in a few hours.”
“Okay. Thanks.” I run a hand through my long-ish hair.
“What’s going on?”
“The event at the hospital was postponed, and I was just thinking if I could do it safely, I’d show up and surprise them.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t risk it. But if you need anything else you let me know.”
“Thanks man. Happy Christmas Eve.”
I end the call and set my phone on the counter. Stupid weather.
Even though I’m sad about the event being rearranged I’m glad Amy’s still here. Now I need to find out her swimsuit size.
Should I ask her?
Or be covert about it, and find out on my own? Another option comes to mind.
Me: Hey. What size do you think Amy might be?
Ann: Probably a six if I had to guess.
Me: Do you have any bikini’s in her size on hand?
Ann is a fashion designer. If I’m lucky I can get gifts for people or if an emergency arises, such as the case with Amy not having a swimsuit.
Ann: You’re in luck. I have two bikinis here that are a size six. I’m going to toss in a size four and a size eight as well. Does she need anything else?
Me: Thank you. I’m not sure, yet.
Ann: You’re welcome, sweetie. I’ll drop the box off in fifteen.
The muscle in my neck spasms and sends a shooting pain down my shoulder and into my arm. The tingly feeling has me shaking out my arm, and just as I suspect the muscle is as hard as concrete.
Fuck.
I had a second surgery on my neck a week after we were eliminated from the playoffs last year. It was a new approach—single level anterior fusion.
And while my doctor’s assured me that the results are overwhelmingly successful, I’m afraid that I’m in the unsuccessful category.
I don’t know if I can do another surgery. Another round of rehab. It’s taking away my love of the game.
My passion.
My drive.
So much for holiday cheer.
The chiming of the doorbell pulls me away from my thoughts and I’m not surprised to find Ann holding a giant gift box with her brand logo on it.
“She’s going to look fabulous in any of these.” Ann hands me the box.
“Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it.”
Her bright red lips curl into a devious smile. “So I take it you’re rekindling your romance?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
She cocks a brow and her arms fold over her chest. “This is the Amy, right? The one you say got away.”
“Keep your voice down.” I step over the threshold into the hallway. “Okay, yes,” I hiss. “Amy is the one woman I’ve never been able to get out of my head.”
Her hands clasp together and her eyes twinkle. “Oh and I’m absolutely certain that she feels the same about you. I saw the way she looked at you last night.” Ann sighs. “It’s Christmas Eve and romance is definitely in the air.”
“Okay, okay. I know you’re a hopeful romantic, but what if she doesn’t find this gesture at all romantic?”
Ann says hopeful romance sounds way better than hopeless. And she believes in the idea of love, but she knows the real world plays a factor.
“You won’t know unless you try, hot shot. And I don’t think you’ll be surprised by Amy’s reaction to a little fun in the hot tub.”
Looking down at the package, I blow out a deep breath. “Here goes nothing.”
“You’ve got this, Spencer.” Ann hurries off towards the elevator and I step back inside my apartment.
My back hits the door and I stare down at the package. Maybe this is a crazy move.
Relax.
She doesn’t have a swimsuit and she’s excited about the hot tub. I round the corner and set the package the corner of the island.
“Spencer?”
Amy enters the kitchen wearing a black and white shirt paired with light denim jeans. She’s barefoot and her toes are painted red and white, like the stripes on candy canes. Her hair is still wet from the shower and she’s rubbing her face with moisturizer.
“Hey.” I cock my hip against the island. “What’s up?”
“Just wondering if you heard the timer, yet? But now I can see the timer has about four minutes left.” She twists the cap back on the jar she’s holding. “Oh did someone bring you a present?” Amy gestures to the box.
“Uh, no. It’s actually for...for you.” I stumble over my words. “It’s from Ann.”
“For me?” Her blue eyes light up. “That’s so nice of her. I wonder what it is.”
Her fingers dance across the top of the box and pluck at the black ribbon.
“Confession. I may have asked her to put this gift together for you.”
Her brows pinch together, and she lets out a soft laugh. “You don’t need to give me a gift.”
“Just open it.”
Her hands slide the tissue paper away. When Amy plucks the red bikini top from the box my dick takes notice.
Down boy.
“Oh my gawd,” she whispers. “Wait this is a Jilly Ann design? Ann is Jilly Ann the famous fashion designer?”
“Yeah.” I move closer to inspect the rest of the contents.
Amy grabs another item from the box, a tiny bikini top that looks like a seashell. It’s very sexy.
“Oh a scalloped bikini top and these matching bottoms are so cute.” Excitement slices through her every word. “I can’t wait to try these on.”
“See I told you I have elves.”
The fabric falls back into the box and her hands land on her hips. “I can’t believe I didn’t recognize Ann last night.”
“Well to be fair her hair is a lot longer and dyed much darker from her last public appearance.”
Amy lets out a deep breath as she looks out the windows. “Yeah, the world stopped for way too long.” A small frown crosses her lips.