Happy Holiday Season and Merry
Christmas and welcome to Mistletoe Magic presented by The Roses of Prose. As has become a tradition here at The Roses of Prose, we bring you
short stories every day for the month of December. Although our offerings have
a little twist. Each story begins with the same first line. The winner for 2016 is: This was the absolute
last time she kissed anyone under the mistletoe.
We diverse authors take it from there. My contribution follows:
We diverse authors take it from there. My contribution follows:
A Sing-ular Tradition
Part One
Part One
This was the
absolute last time she kissed anyone under the mistletoe.
For
good reason. No other kiss for the rest of her life could possibly surpass the
wonder of this one. She merely paused in the doorway to fix the sandal strap
that slipped off her heel. The next thing she knew, warm fingers lifted her chin and inviting lips
touched lightly on hers to send tiny shock waves of pleasure rolling up,
down and all around her insides. Or was it the arm that came sure and strong at her waist?
The one that somehow seemed meant to be there?
The one that somehow seemed meant to be there?
With
her eyes closed, Kenzie Adams had absolutely no idea who the near perfectly
utilized mouth belonged to. If she had to guess, her boss maybe? The wildly
successful investment guru with looks, money and charm to spare. Though, quite
honestly, she never had gotten close enough to know for sure about that last
one.
“Thanks for
being a good sport.”
As she
lowered her left foot and lifted her lids, it sure wasn’t the eyes of handsome
Marshall Simms, Founder and President of Simms and Associates Investments that
held her gaze. The incredible blue eyes locked in a stare down with hers belonged
to the less affluent, but equally handsome Derrick Something or Other, from the
downstairs mailroom.
“I must say
that was some welcome.”
Being brand
new to the company, Kenzie in no way wanted to make a scene. If, however, this
was standard behavior for this group at the investment firm, she’d tender her
resignation, effective immediately, and start this fresh beginning of hers
somewhere besides Jacksonville, Florida.
“I probably
shouldn’t have done that, except…” Lowering his gaze, Derrick shrugged. “Guess
I got too caught up in the Christmas spirit.”
He did have a
point. Appropriate holiday music flowed through a sound system usually reserved
for the dry, monotone speeches from various company VPs regarding sure-fire investment
strategies. Strands of green leaves and red holly berries were draped in
scalloped fashion from the conference room ceiling. Artificial wreaths in
glittery gold were hung at even intervals in between.
Regardless, by
all rights she should have been offended. Would have been too, until he
punctuated his words with a sheepish smile and genuine blush.
“That’s
okay.”
Her actual
response was a far cry from the one she’d planned when she was first ambushed
as she walked into the employee Christmas party. That initial reaction would
have involved the palm of her right hand coming up, hard, against the cheek of
the offending intruder.
Shocked.
Befuddled. His priceless expression had stopped any mean-spirited reaction from
her dead in its tracks. Eyes wide in alarm, it was as if he couldn’t believe
what he’d just done any more than she could. Plus, the mouth that had just
lifted from hers formed the most endearing O.
Startling good looks didn’t hurt his cause either.
Or are you so conscious of becoming an old
maid you’ll lower your standards and your morals for any and all male
attention?
She ignored
the sass from her internal censor. Was it too much to ask for maybe a few
pleasant dinners after work with someone other than a talking head on TV? A
movie on the occasional Saturday night with a friend?
“How long
have you worked here?” Despite the festive atmosphere, all she could come up
with to talk about was job related.
“Three months
next week. I was hired just a short time before you.”
“You started
out in the mail room then.”
“I needed a
job that afforded me some precious down time I can use to study.”
“Study? What
are you studying?”
“Human
anatomy this term. Chemistry, bio-engineering. I’m in the pre-med program at the
University of Florida.”
“You’re going
to be a doctor?” Funny it never occurred to her he was anything but Derrick the
mail guy.
“Hopefully. If
I work hard enough to make it through med school.”
How ironic
she’d often thought he had an amazing resemblance to that actor who played a
doctor on television. The one they referred to as Doctor McDreamy. The one they
killed off when he wanted out of his contract. Even so, her impromptu
comparison fit perfectly. Dark, wavy hair, clear blue eyes and, surrounded by
one sexy as hell five o’clock shadow, those marvelous lips she’d recently been
introduced to.
Blood rushed
up to heat her cheeks. “Somehow I think you will.”
“Thanks for
the vote of confidence.”
If memory
served, the television character was a neurosurgeon. “What specialty are you
going into? Neurosurgery?”
He shook his
head. “Probably not. My interests lean toward the non-surgical. Internist
maybe. Pediatrician. I enjoy being around kids.”
There it was;
he’d opened the conversation up to personal matters. She dove in with both
feet. “Do you have any of your own?”
His brow
creased. “Not yet. I have to find a wife first.”
That’s usually how it’s done. The words
sailed into her mind, and she opened her mouth only to shut it again. Surely
she could do better, come up with some witticism in response? His gaze
met hers, and those mesmerizing eyes zeroed in on her lips. As the frown
cleared, he quirked up one corner of his mouth. The most appealing dimple
appeared and her breath caught.
“Hey,
Derrick. You have to hear this one.” The voice of John, the mid-level manager
from IT broke the spell.
Suddenly
witticism became only a word in the dictionary, right there on the same page as
withdrawal.
“Be right
there.” Her version of McDreamy pulled his gaze free of hers to glance over. In
the next instant, he was focused on her again. “The king of off color jokes.
I’d ask you to join us but…you know.”
“Yeah. I
know.” She gave a short nod. Disappointment cutting deep caught her off guard.
“Don’t let me keep you.”
“It’s not that.”
Shaking his head, he raised both hands her way. “It’s just. If I don’t go over
there, he’s bound to come over here to share his latest. You might be offended,
and I wouldn’t want that.”
She had no immediate
response. Was he being overly sweet, if not maybe a little sexist? Or does he just want an excuse to get away
from me?
“Derrick!”
He took two
steps backward. “Gotta go.”
“I
understand.” Shaking off an unexpected loneliness, she turned to walk further into
the room.
“Kenzie,
good, you’re here.” Wanda Marks, Kenzie’s co-worker from two offices down placed
a hand on her arm.
“Wouldn’t
miss it.” Only because the interoffice email invitation had a definite you will be there tone.
“It’s so nice
to be out for an evening without the twins.”
One of the
first to befriend Kenzie when she arrived, Wanda had quickly shared she’d been happily
married for close to five years and had two beautiful babies to show for it.
Another success story of that ever elusive happily ever after.
“I imagine.”
Kenzie came out with the first thing to pop into her mind then winced at its
truth.
Single and childless,
all she could do was imagine,
fantasize really, about what it must be like to have a loving husband with all
the trimmings. Not that Kenzie really needed a soul mate to share her life, the
requisite number of children and possibly even a family dog. She did have her
career.
“I so needed some
adults only company and conversation.”
Kenzie’s
thoughts scattered. “That’s what we’re here for.”
Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer began
to play through the speakers.
Wanda glanced
up and grinned. “My kids love this song. They dance to it all the time at home,
wiggling their little tushies to the music and jumping around. It’s so cute.”
“I know
exactly what you mean.” Stacy from accounting stepped over to join the
conversation before Kenzie could respond. “Mine, too.”
With four
kids of her own, Stacy seemed to embrace Wanda’s family anecdote as the two
moms went on to compare motherhood notes.
Kenzie used
the opportunity to excuse herself and head outside to get some air.
A towering
artificial fir, hardly indigenous to this tropical climate, graced one corner
of the lobby. Its metal and plastic branches were loaded with shiny gold tinsel
and sparkling white lights all winking at her as she walked by. Nice enough as decorations
go, but that’s all they were, adornments with no real meaning behind them.
Not that
she’d done any holiday decorating of her own to speak of. The chores associated
with unpacking boxes and settling into new living quarters had been
overwhelming enough. Not to mention settling into a new life.
Headed for the
side entrance, she pushed out into the warm Florida night. Stars twinkled in
welcome as she stepped onto the open cement patio. That was something. Walking
past three square picnic tables with attached benches to the redwood porch
swing at one end, she sat on the cushioned seat. An instrumental version of Deck the Halls floated over her from an
opened window in the two story building.
“Fa-la-la.”
Her feeble attempt to sing along drifted into silence as an ever present sorrow
took the form of a ten-ton weight dragging down her heart.
It had been
hard for her, no downright impossible, to get into the Christmas spirit this
year. Constant sunshine and eighty degree temperatures weren’t at all
synonymous with the holiday season to a girl who grew up way north in the land
of snow, sleet and below zero wind chills.
A place she’d left far, far behind. Along with former fiancĂ©, Elliott.
Closing her
eyes, she lifted her face as a warm breeze drifted over her features.
“I thought I
saw you walk out here.”
Join me here tomorrow for Part Two of A Sing-ular Tradition.
For more about me and my other stories, please visit my WEBSITE
GREAT way to start my December!!! Love it!
ReplyDeleteNice Christmas romance to start up off!
ReplyDeleteGreat start to the season. Eager to read the next chapter.
ReplyDeleteAren't you just full of surprises, Margo? Nice lift-off of our Christmas Story Days! See you here tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteChris, Strong words 'love' and 'great' ;-) Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteBrenda, It's a thrill to be first in line this year.
Barb, Glad I've got you hooked.
Rolynn, You like it? See you tomorrow, too.
Great kick-off to our stories, Margo. It's always fun to see how you incorporated my edits!
ReplyDeleteHa, Jannine! Let the fun continue.
ReplyDeleteSuch a charming beginning, Margo. Can't wait to read the rest. I won't peek ahead, I promise. LOL
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diane. I'all hold you to that promise. ;-)
ReplyDeletePeek? We can peek??? No. It would spoil the delight. I have been known to stay up to after midnight to read the next section of someone's story, but that's not cheating. It is the next day, after all. And, Margo, I loved yours so much I feel a late night coming on. Sigh... You did good, kiddo!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks, Vonnie. Such sweet words. Raising a virtual glass of spirits to your late night dedication. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be a fun one one--I just feel it!
ReplyDeleteSpoiler Alert, Alison. There is a HEA! LOL!
ReplyDeleteAwww, love this! I am kind of fond of Dr. McDreamy myself, although I haven't watched the show since the second season. :) I did use him as a model/inspiration for my cop hero in my Northland Crime Chronicles series. Enjoyed your opening and can't wait to read more!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ally. Full disclosure, I never watched the show myself, but, well, there's that inspiration thing. ;-) I'm pleased you enjoyed my contribution today.
ReplyDeleteRoll on December if this is what's in store!
ReplyDeleteLove the unexpected co-worker story line! He seems like a cutie!
ReplyDeleteAwww, thanks, Andi.
ReplyDeleteLeah, hope you like him in the future.