I’ve experienced a lot of things in this place, but that was something else. If I’ve ever wondered before then I’m not now. That is what making love feels like, and it happened with Aeron. Not the hot, dirty sex I always imagined. It was so much better, so much more.
Thanksgiving at the Harkwright place is a strange experience. The parade plays on the TV in the sitting room, while the football game is on in the den. Sir has spent the last few hours in his office, but he did come out to ask me to make a dessert.
“I was thinking about some kind of pie? What do you think?” His eyes are soft, which is a strange look on him. Maybe he’s just in the holiday spirit.
“That sounds perfect to me, Sir. I’ll start right away.” I practically skip into the kitchen. I’m just happy to have something to do.
Maria is nothing but kind to me, but I keep catching her staring at me with sad eyes, and I don’t know what to make of it. Emmet has been up in his room ever since we got here, and Thallon, well, he’s barely spoken to me.
I know I need to apologize for what I said, because I was in the wrong. I can’t just simply explain it away, but maybe I can make him understand that what I said wasn’t about him, but me.
I miss Aeron, it’s been two days since we made love and I swear I can still smell him on me, even though I know it’s impossible. Do I love him? I don’t know. I think I’m too scared to put a label on it after everything, and there is still so much I don’t know.
Right, no. I have a chance to bake whatever I want, as long as it’s in pie form. This is my happy place, and I’m going to make sure I do it right.
I pull out all the ingredients, and feel sorry for the catering staff who have to make all the food for today. I mean, the kitchen is empty. So where are they making it?
I get started on the pies, and I already know that I can’t just make one. I want to make pecan and key lime, and luckily, they have the ingredients for both. Almost as if he anticipated my choices, but that’s crazy. Sir doesn’t know me, and Tom didn’t know me well enough to be able to help him predict it.
Once that’s good to go, I get started on the filling and I don’t bother to look up as the door opens. Maybe it’s the cooks. I hope I’m not in their way.
“Baking again. Planning to put poison in mine?”
My hands shake as Thallon speaks, and I just wish I could find the words I need to say.
“It’s my happy place. No matter what is going on, baking always manages to settle me and calms the demons inside.” Why did I say that?
“Guess it’s a good thing I’ve been ordered to be on my best behavior then. You shouldn’t need your happy place until we get back.” His tone is cold, hard, and I place the mixing bowl down on the counter.
“I’m sorry for what I said. It wasn’t anything against you, it was all me. I just… I c-c-couldn’t l-l…”
“What? You couldn’t bear the thought that I may have fucked you into oblivion.” He leans against one of the counters and I find it hard to look at him.
“No, I couldn’t bear the idea that I would do that with you before ever being with Aeron. I didn’t want to hurt him.” It comes out in a rush, as I try to keep my voice low. I’m scared that Sir may overhear us.
“You were upset because of Aeron? I never considered that.” He moves closer and I swallow hard as I resume my mixing. Anything to keep my hands busy.
“Why would you? Look, you like to think the w-worst of m-me. I d-do the same. For all of you, but especially you. I won’t feel insulted over it, because I do understand. I just wanted you to know that it had nothing to do with you.”
“Okay, I believe you.” I can’t help but look at him now, and everything about him screams sincerity. “Don’t seem so surprised. I don’t want Aeron to get hurt either. Just so you know, nothing happened that night. We were both too wasted to get the job done. Thank fuck for tequila, hey.” He chuckles and I laugh softly.
There’s a weird sense of camaraderie between us. Sure, he’s a bastard. There’s no denying that, but I have seen another side to him, so I know this isn’t all that he is. It makes it hard to hate him completely. Does it? Since when? I have no idea, it’s news to me.
“Need any help?”
I look at him strangely, probably because I never expected him to offer.
“Yeah, if you want. Those ingredients there need mixing, the dough needs to be blind baked for about ten minutes, and then we just need to put the filling in.”
“Okay, well, I understand the mixing part, so I’ll do that.” He actually winks before rolling up his shirt sleeves, and gets started on the pecan mixture.
It’s a Thanksgiving miracle.
We sit down around the excessively big table, but no one is bringing the food out. I have the feeling we’re waiting for something, or someone, I just hope it isn’t Rachel. Although, it would mean I get to see Tucker again.
“Always late. I swear that girl does not understand the meaning of the word punctuality.” Sir is obviously unhappy. His eyes are narrow, while his mouth pulls into a frown, and he keeps tapping a beat on the table.
“Luna made two pies. Key lime is your favourite, right, Sir?” Thallon says, and some of the tension seems to ease out of his posture.
“It is, I look forward to trying it. What about you, Emmet? Or are you going to continue sulking the day away?”
“Of course not, father. I was just wondering where Shane and Maddox are.” He lowers his head into a slight bow, and I don’t doubt it pains him to do so.
“Shane is away with Rosalyn. Unfortunately, their flight was delayed and they could not get back in time. As for Maddox, he is away with his claim. Apparently, he met a girl while he was away in Switzerland and he requested to spend the holiday with her. He’s taken Jake with him to keep Miss Lewiston busy. It’s not like I would refuse such a request, I’m just relieved my fears about him have been proved to be unfounded.” He smiles but it doesn’t reach his eyes.
I love Maddox for pulling this off for Daria, I’m glad she gets to spend this holiday with Jake. Hopefully, they’ll get everything sorted and be able to get past everything. She deserves to be happy, and hopefully, this means Maddox will be able to see his boyfriend as well.
“How’s your mom, Emmet?” Thallon asks with a smirk, and I feel like jabbing my fork into his thigh. Does he have to try and rile him up right now?
“She’s fine, considering she’s alone,” he bites out in reply.
“I’m sorry she’s alone,” I say softly, and he smiles slightly before it falls away.
“It wouldn’t be so bad if she could just move on, but she’s stuck living in the past.” His knuckles tighten on the table, and Sir clears his throat.
“You know, son, I’ve been thinking.” He looks around the table before stopping on Emmet. “I’ve punished your mother long enough. I know now that I was wrong to refuse her the surgery to look however she chooses. It was petty of me, and I like to think that I’ve grown as a person since my younger days. You can let her know that she is free to find whichever surgeon she wants, and I’ll cover the costs. If my dear wife doesn’t mind. She has the right to move on, I have Maria, and she should be able to find her own happiness too.” He reaches for her hand and her eyes sparkle as she looks at him with a beautiful smile on her face.