These are the words almost anyone would rejoice to hear. And I’d be lying if the word marriage didn’t spark excitement inside me. I wanted the stupid, outdated, only in fairytales type of love. The only problem was I didn’t want it with Aiden. I was the sort of woman who was all in until I wasn’t. After the initial shock of our breakup, I realized that Aiden wasn’t the only one pretending. I settled because I thought I was running out of options. Which was dumb, I was thirty-three and I was no longer falling for the idea that women couldn’t be choosy when it came to love.
Why did men always think a no would eventually lead to a yes?
“Aiden, while I appreciate your newfound epiphany. I’ve also had time to think and my vision for the future doesn’t include you.” I was never this forthcoming. Maybe it was a holdover from the head trauma, but I was feeling the need to speak my mind today.
Aiden nodded his head stoically, but I could tell he didn’t like my response. “You loved me once. I’m not willing to take no as an answer.”
“And you took that love for granted. So when it comes to you, no is the only answer I have to give.”
Chloe walked by and my eyes begged her to rescue me. And like an expert wingwoman she complied. “Belen, just wanted to remind you about the meeting with the balloon vendor in five minutes.”
Without missing a beat, I elaborated on the lie. “Yes of course the meeting with the guy from …” My brain fog made it difficult to come up with a vendor name.
“Balloons and Thangs,” Chloe offered. If Aiden didn’t know we were lying before, he probably did now.
“That’s it Balloons and Thangs. How could I forget?” I stared at Aiden, waiting for him to get the message and leave. “I really need to get ready for my meeting.”
“Yeah, sure thing.” When he finally left my office, my shoulders eased away from my ears.
“What was that all about?” Chloe hissed. She never liked Aiden and if I’d listened to her, I wouldn’t be in this predicament.
“The last-ditch efforts of a dying man.”
“Are you okay?”
“Oddly enough, I’ve never felt better.”
I pulledinto the parking garage of Kris’s high rise apartment. He’d texted me the address and told me to dress casual and warm. Heeding his instructions, I opted for jeans, an oversized sweater and instead of heels I wore flat ankle boots with good traction in case we had to walk in the slushy snow and ice.
When the elevator opened up to the lobby, I was immediately in awe. The lobby was spacious and modern and felt more like a hotel than a downtown apartment. I checked the text message thread from Kris, convinced I was in the wrong building. Making a beeline to the reception desk, I hoped to get directions. “Hi I think I may be lost. Is this 3720 Beverley Avenue?”
“Yes ma’am, how can I help you?” a pretty woman with a name tag that read Lisa responded.
I did a double take examining the chandeliers and seating area. How could an unemployed, temporary mall Santa afford a place like this? Sure he’d mentioned selling an app or two, but I doubted it was profitable enough to afford a condo in this high rise building. “I’m here to see Kris … Kristoff Kringle.” A blush overtook my cheeks, feeling silly saying his name. I wondered if he felt the same every time he introduced himself.
“Can I get your name, ma’am?” Lisa, the reception clerk asked.
“Belen Goodwin.”
“Just a moment, Ms. Goodwin.” Lisa pressed a touch screen and waited. The hospitable smile never left her face. “Hello Mr. Kringle, there is a Belen Goodwin here to see you.” She listened to Kris’s voice on the other end of her earpiece. “Yes, very well.” Disconnecting the call, her attention was once again drawn back to me. “Mr. Kringle is on his way down.”
“Thank you.” While I waited, I walked from one end of the lobby to the other. Noting signage for a pool, gym, movie theater, and virtual reality room. My eyes were drawn to the piano in the corner and although the only song I could play from start to finish was “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” I was compelled to tap a key or two. As the notes filled the empty lobby, I recoiled, offering up an apologetic smile in the receptionist’s direction.
When Kris exited the elevator, I released an audible gasp. Fortunately he was far enough away that he couldn’t hear me. He was wearing his dark forest green peacoat, jeans, and on his head was a burnt orange beanie adding a pop of color against his dark rich skin. It was always nice seeing him out of the red suit that did nothing but hide his physique.
Kris’s face contoured into a huge grin and we both crossed the lobby to meet one another. “Hi,” he said, leaning in at the same time I pushed myself upward onto my toes, which caused our heads to bump as he went in for a hug when I was anticipating a kiss.
“Oh I’m sorry, my bad. I thought you were going to kiss me.” I immediately regretted my admission.
“It’s cool.” Kris pulled me into a hug, squeezing me tight. His deep voice tickled my ear. “I’m glad we’re doing this.”
He pulled away far too soon for my liking. “You smell good.” I heard myself say. The last time I’d been on a proper date wasmonths ago and apparently, I’d forgotten first date etiquette. Why was I so eager to compliment this man?
Kris slowly ran his hand down his chest, smoothing his shirt through his open coat. The corners of his mouth tugged into a naughty smirk. To my surprise, my fingers tingled and twitched with longing, taking all my willpower not to reach out and touch him. Truthfully, I should have expected nothing less. When I was around him, my body often had a mind of its own. Shivering, pulsating, and on the night he kissed me, dripping with desire.
“What’s that look for?” I managed to ask even though I was fairly certain I was returning an unusual look of my own.
“I was going to say something, but it’s cringey so let’s just not.”
