Something Just Like This Read online

  “Come on, Landon. It’s not like you to care what people think. Think of this as an early Christmas present from me.”

  Giving back my job which I think I should never have lost in the first place is a Christmas present? Now Jeff is pissing me off.

  “Are we ready to order?” Marnie sneaks up on us.

  I’ve lost my appetite, but I haven’t lost my common decency. I’ll stay and talk to Jeff about anything not related to work, eat my lunch, and try not to throw up.

  Because that’s what I feel like doing right now.

  18

  Juliette

  Saturday arrives with a vengeance after a week filled with financial planning for a ton of clients and dealing with sugared up toddlers at the mall. Landon and I sneak in a few dates during the week, and I’m eager for the Booker & Smith holiday party. I don’t like these events as necessary as they are to keep in good cahoots with the bigwigs. Knowing Landon will be there with me makes it tolerable, and I’m almost looking forward to it.

  Carly thinks Landon buying me a Christmas tree is sweet. Most guys bring flowers, she says, and he said screw it, why give me a small flower when I deserve an entire tree? I understand where she’s coming from, really I do, but she doesn’t get it. Do I think Christmas trees are pretty when all decked out with lights and ornaments? Sure. They’re just not for me.

  “Tell him the truth then,” she dares me. “That you’re a cold-hearted elf that hates everything surrounding the holiday. That’s a sure-fire way to make him run the other way. Even the toughest of guys still like Christmas.”

  I’m not the norm. Yes, people complain about Christmas all the time, and the season is full of frustration for many, but I’d rather skip Christmas altogether.

  Tonight I vow to fake it. I’ll pretend to be in the holiday spirit, maybe even sneak a kiss under the mistletoe. It won’t be easy, but I’ll force myself into a joyous mood. And I’ll start with this dress.

  When I first saw this dress, I laughed. Who in the world would wear something so hideous? Sleeveless with a royal blue base with a lace panel outlining the neck, this dress looks like Christmas threw up on it. I should know—I’m a master of vomit. The knee-length skirt boasts a flared look complete with Santa and his reindeer against a freshly fallen snow, a fully decorated tree, and a cozy cabin. I bought it as a joke, and when I showed it to Carly, she urged me to wear it. Against my better judgment, I agreed. Now that it’s on, and I’m staring at myself in my full-length mirror, even I have to admit it’s not too bad. It’s cute. Yes. I said cute.

  My doorbell rings so I smooth out my dress and pull my fancier jacket out of the closet. I slip on my heels, look at the unopened Christmas tree box in my hallway, and slide out the door. I can’t let Landon in. He hasn’t been in my house all week, and I can’t let him in until I either put the tree up or Christmas is over.

  “You’re set to go.” He reaches his hand to mine and helps me down the four steps leading to the walkway. I must be extra careful in these heels since there’s ice on the ground.

  Tonight Landon isn’t wearing his hat, instead replacing it with ear warmers. He must not want to mess up his hair, which I admit is perfect. The top is longer than the sides, and he’s styled it in an upward fashion. His coat isn’t buttoned all the way, and I can see his tie, which is close to the shade of blue I’m wearing. We didn’t even plan that. A gray scarf covers his neck, and I hope later I’m nestled there as well.

  The gentleman he is, he opens his car door for me. I sit down and buckle in, my butt warming underneath me. “You have your seat warmer on for me.”

  “I don’t want you to be cold.”

  He’s so considerate. It’s been a long time since I’ve spent time with someone as wonderful as him. Tonight will be a blast. I can feel it. I’ll remove the holiday out of the equation. Problem solved.

  The party is forty minutes away at a venue in downtown Milwaukee. Parking is expensive, but my company has splurged for valet parking, so Landon and I can arrive in style and not be forced to walk three or four blocks in the cold. I’m grateful because if I have to walk over any more icy patches, I’ll probably land flat on my backside, my dress over my head. Nothing like that is happening tonight.

  We enter through the main doors, a massive staircase in front of us, draped with a deep red velvet rug leading up to a second level. Landon takes my coat, and he checks both of ours in. I loop my arm in his as we take our time going up the stairs, partly because I don’t want to trip, the other because this feels like a fairy tale.

  When we reach the top of the stairs, white double doors open to an extravagant ballroom. A band is set up on the far side of the room across from where we stand, and I recognize the holiday song they’re playing, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” Round tables decorated with poinsettias in gold stands, deep red tablecloths underneath the plain white plates with cloth napkins held together by holly fill the room. To the left, a registration table is set up with our seat assignments.

  We find our table, number twenty-one, and Landon pulls my chair out for me. I sit, and he pushes me in gently before sitting next to me.

  “Don’t you want to mingle?”

  I survey the room. I don’t see Carly and Eddie yet and they are the only people I really care to see. I probably should work the room. Even though I just got my promotion, I should always think about the next one. I’m not up to it, though. “I’d rather sit here with you.”

  He covers my hand with his. “Me, too.”

  “Girl, you’re here!” I recognize Carly’s voice before her hands are on my shoulders. “I can’t believe we’re not at the same table.”

  She sits next to me, and Eddie stands behind her. When it comes to her gown, she spares no expense. She sparkles from head to toe, her dress snug against her body and flowing out from behind her. If I didn’t know better, I would think she was wearing an ivory wedding dress.

  “Where are you sitting?”

  She shows me her card. “Table eight. We’re over there.” She points behind me. “At least we’re close to the bar.”

  I’m sure that makes her happy. Carly with a drink in her hand is a happy Carly. “This is Landon,” I say as I point to him. “Landon, this is my best friend Carly, the one whose flowers we put the deposit on. This is her soon-to-be husband, Eddie.”

  “We met, remember? Only for a second. You are so cute.” She has no boundaries. “When you came to Juliette’s office the other day, my jaw hit the floor. How did you get to be so gorgeous?”

  “Ah, good genes, I guess?”

  Oh great, she’s making him uncomfortable. Not to mention I’m sure Eddie doesn’t appreciate it.

  “Well, besides good genes, you have great taste. Juliette here is quite the catch.”

  Good save, but now she’s embarrassing me. I think she may have already had a bit to drink. I hope she doesn’t plan on drinking too much and making a fool of herself. She loves coming to work functions hoping someone manages to do something stupid. I just really hope she’s not the one.

  “Yes, she is. I can’t believe this elf came into my life.”

  My cheeks redden as Carly hops off her chair. “She’s so silly with that job. And considering she doesn’t—”

  “Carly, take me to the bar,” I interrupt. “Are you okay here with Eddie?”

  “I think I can manage to speak with another human being while you’re gone. Get me a drink, too?”

  “Sure thing.” I push Carly toward the bar to move her as far away as possible from our table.

  “What are you doing? What’s the matter?”

  “What’s the matter? Don’t tell Landon about my secret.” I can’t believe she almost slipped up and told him.

  “Calm down, Jules. It’s really not as big of a deal as you make it out to be.”

  “You may think it’s not but me hating Christmas leads to a discussion on why I hate Christmas which leads me to admitting I’m not sure I can handle a relationship. I’m not read
y for that conversation yet.”

  “Whoa, you’re overreacting. And newsflash, you’re in a relationship. What happened with your parents has nothing to do with you.”

  I reach my hand past her and rest it on the bar. “I know. That doesn’t mean I’m not scared.”

  I said it. I pulled deep down within my soul and yanked the truth out. If I can reveal this to anyone, Carly is the one I can trust. “I really like this guy. Really like him. This could be too good to be true. Something is going to either mess it up, or I’ll say something stupid. And what if it does last? Then what?”

  She puts her hand on my shoulder. “Then it does, and you’re happy. Don’t allow fear to hold you back from what could be an incredible relationship. Do you think Landon could be the one?”

  “I’ve only known him for a few weeks.”

  “So? Do you think he could be the one?”

  “Carly.”

  “Juliette. Come on, answer the question.”

  I shrug. “Maybe.”

  “Good enough for me.” She grabs me by the shoulders, turns me around, and pushes me forward. “Now go get that man of yours.”

  I inhale a deep breath and blow it out. She’s right. Again.

  “Wait!” She pulls me back with the sleeve of my dress. “Your drinks. Don’t forget your drinks.”

  What would I do without her?

  19

  Juliette

  With a successful holiday party behind me—one I’ll admit I enjoyed—now comes the part I really dread: coming face-to-face with my brother. I’m grateful Landon agrees to come with me because I’m not the least bit ready.

  He insists on picking me up no matter how many times I tell him I can give him directions. Keeping him out of my house is proving difficult. Last night I faked a headache to avoid him coming in. This damn Christmas tree is proving quite the nuisance, almost enough I consider taking it out of the box and setting it up.

  Almost.

  A quarter after five my doorbell rings. I pull my jacket on, whip a scarf around my neck, and open the door. Landon steps forward slightly as though he’s going to come in.

  “What are you doing?”

  “What am I doing? I want to see how the tree looks.” He maneuvers his head trying to catch a glimpse inside.

  “You can’t.” I lean against the doorway, blocking his view.

  “What do you mean I can’t? I’m right here. If I walk through those doors, I’m in your house, and I can see the tree. That’s how a door works.”

  “Very funny. But you can’t come in and see it.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because.”

  “Because why?”

  “Because I haven’t put it up!” I don’t mean to startle him as I yell. The words take over and fly out of my mouth before I can stop them.

  He takes a step back. “What do you mean you haven’t put it up?” He furrows his eyebrows, the crease above his nose somehow shaming me.

  “I mean I haven’t put it up yet.”

  “You said that already. Why not?”

  Think fast. “Because I don’t have any ornaments.” There. This way I’m not lying. I don’t have any ornaments.

  He snaps his fingers together. “Ornaments!” He leans in and kisses my cheek. “Of course. What was I thinking? You need ornaments. I don’t know why I assumed you had any. If you don’t have a tree, chances are you’re lacking in ornaments.”

  “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

  “No. I’ll get you some.”

  “Please don’t. You don’t have to do that.”

  “Yes, I do. What kind of person am I if I buy you a tree but don’t bother with any ornaments?”

  “Not a very smart one.”

  He laughs. “Very funny. Still, I’m getting you some.”

  “You really don’t need to worry about it.” Even though I say this, I know he won’t give it up. So I don’t argue with him anymore. “Shall we go?”

  “Are you ready for this?”

  I let out a deep breath. “No. So let’s get it over with.” I follow him to his car, allowing him to take the lead and drive. I’ll give him directions along the way.

  As we pull up next to my mom’s house, I mentally give her credit for her outside decorations. Even I have to admit she does an amazing job. Lights are strung all over the house and on every tree in her yard. Her transformation is magical. I only wish I could enjoy it.

  “Nice house,” Landon says as he puts the car in park.

  “Yeah, it is. She kept it in the divorce. It’s definitely outdated on the inside, but she takes good care of it.” I’ll admit sometimes the wallpaper gets to be too much but there’s some comfort to be found in the old and familiar.

  I blow out a breath. “I suppose we should go in there.”

  “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

  “I’m sure I am not ready but as you’ve pointed out multiple times, this is my family, and I can’t abandon them. I can’t guarantee what will happen in there but hopefully with you by my side I’ll stay sane.” Or more than likely I’ll blow up at my brother and hope Landon doesn’t run the other way when I do so.

  We step out of the car, and I’m relieved he takes my hand in his as we walk to the door. He gives my hand a squeeze, so I take my free hand and place it over his.

  “You can do this,” he says. Those words mean more than he can know. And I hope to God he’s right because I honestly have my doubts.

  I ring the bell, and my mom answers before I have a chance to put my hand back in my pocket.

  “Juliette! You came!” She says this as though I had a say in the manner. If I hadn’t come, I would hear about it for the rest of my life. She squeezes me so tight I think I may burst. “And you brought this young man! I’m so sorry, I’ve forgotten your name.”

  “Landon. Pleased to meet you.”

  Landon reaches his hand out but in the invading way my mother does she embraces him as well. Why would she do that? I’m sure he’s uncomfortable now and wants to leave.

  He doesn’t push her away, though, and even kisses her on the cheek. If I were keeping score, he’d earn two points. One for being sweet and a second for his tolerability.

  “Well, don’t stand out in the cold. Come in, come in.” She motions for us to come through the door and takes our jackets right away. We place our wet shoes on the rug.

  “Is he here?” I don’t say his name, like it’s poisonous or something. He is, though, isn’t he? A venomous man. He slithers around waiting for the perfect time to strike, sucking all the life—or in my mom’s case, money—out until there’s nothing left.

  I don’t want to do this.

  “Hunter? Of course he’s here. Who do you think picked him up?”

  Great. She’s a chauffeur, too. The situation keeps getting better. He should have found his own ride. I’m not too surprised. Hunter has always found a way to wrap her around his finger. I haven’t even seen him yet, and I’m already irritated. This will be the most fun Christmas gathering ever.

  I should have refused to come.

  “Hey, sis.”

  It’s crazy how such a familiar voice can sound so cold and distant and invoke such pain. I turn around, and there he is, my brother, the one I haven’t seen or spoken with for two years, dressed in a pair of jeans and a nice polo shirt. I don’t know if I was expecting to see a prison suit or something, but this isn’t him. The Hunter I knew before he went off to prison didn’t care about his appearance. He kept his hair long and tangled, his shirts and jeans ripped and dirty, and this person stepped right out of an Old Navy ad.

  “Hey.”

  My body stiffens when he steps toward me, this stranger. When he wraps his arms around me, every part of me locks, and I gasp for air. I don’t want this.

  I escape his attempt at a warm greeting. “Hunter, this is Landon. Landon, this is my brother, Hunter.”

  Landon shakes my brother’s hand and nods his head almost as thou
gh he’s telling him he’s here to support me. I love this man.

  Wait. No. I don’t. I barely know him. I mean I really, really like this man.

  “Let’s not all stand here in the breezeway. Come in, let’s go sit in the living room.” Hunter takes control as though this is his house and not our mother’s.

  Still, when Landon turns to me and takes my hand, I give in and go with them. I cozy next to my boyfriend, where I’m safe, across from my mom and Hunter.

  The coffee table between us is filled with holiday cookies. Sugar cookies, gingerbread, peppermint bark, chocolate biscotti, and my favorite, peanut butter blossoms. It’s the one thing about Christmas I actually do like. My mom can bake, that’s the truth. I dive right into the peanut butter blossoms, snatching two off the platter. Landon opts for a Snickerdoodle.

  “These are excellent,” he compliments my mom as he bites into one.

  “Oh, those are my favorite too.” She’s pleased he likes them. “When Juliette was around six or seven we always baked together. I think she only helped out so she could lick the bowl clean. Can you see her with her face in a bowl? She made sure to get every last drop.”

  “She sure did! I had to compete with her for food all the time. She could sure pack it in. Does she still do that?”

  I don’t appreciate Hunter’s addition to the conversation. “First of all, I didn’t ‘pack it in.’ I had a healthy appetite. That’s all. There’s nothing wrong with that. Second, Landon and I have not been dating long. He doesn’t need to hear all of this.“

  “Yes, he does.“ Hunter scoots forward and steals a peanut butter blossom. “I better get one before they’re all gone.“

  I shoot him a look. It’s the same look I’ve given him since we were kids. He knows not to mess with me when my face is curled up like it is.

  “Well, dinner will be ready in a few minutes. I don’t want you guys to spoil your appetite so that’s enough cookies for now.“ My mom takes the plates away into the kitchen, leaving me and Landon with Hunter.