Time Changes Everything (16 page)

Amanda held back the tears that threatened to escape. “Really?”

“You’ve become such an independent woman.” Her mother wiped her own eyes. “I know I get on your case about not being home. I do miss you. But, we think you’ve done a fine job at leading your own life.”

Amanda’s father grabbed her hand and squeezed. “So proud. Your mama is always talking about you.”

A few tears fell down her cheeks. “Thank you,” Amanda whispered. “That means a lot.”

“And we’d really like to hear more about this man in your life,” her mom said.

“Libby, don’t push.” Her dad laughed. “When she’s ready, she’ll tell us.”

Amanda sat up and cleared her throat. “Let’s go get the lunch together.”

While she helped prepare the turkey and her famous sweet potato casserole, Carley arrived with her family. With other help in the kitchen, Amanda had a few minutes to get ready for the Edwards’ arrival. Christmas would be different this year. Shivers ran through her body at the thought of Jake being in her home on Christmas – not just as a neighbor, but her lover. 

She looked at her watch. “Mama, I’m going to freshen up.”

“Hurry and remember to put on some perfume.” Libby yelled over her shoulder.

Amanda laughed as she ran upstairs. Her mother was opening up, but she would always be her meddling mom.

After she’d showered and dressed, the doorbell rang. Amanda turned to run down stairs, her heart pounding with excitement. She stopped herself at the bedroom door and took a deep breath. Get a hold of yourself, girl.  You can’t let Mama and Daddy see you this excited. One slow step in front of the other, she made her way down the stairs and to the foyer.

Jake stood by the door, his hands in his pockets. Around him, both families greeted each other, wishing one another a Merry Christmas.

He locked eyes with her and mouthed, “Wow.”

She thought the same thing about him. His khaki pants, were a little tight on his muscled legs, but that’s how she liked it. He wore his red-checked, dress shirt tucked in and rolled up to his elbows.

He walked up to her, pecked her on the cheek and brushed his lips on her ear. “Merry Christmas.” His cheek rested on hers for a brief moment. Not enough to startle anyone, but just enough to make Amanda’s heart pump faster. When her parents moved to the dining room, Jake grabbed her elbow gently and led her to the living room.

“Hey Jake! Glad you could make it.” Carley said.

“Carley!” He hugged her. “When’s that baby due?”

“Three days ago.” She grabbed her belly. “I guess he wanted to wait until Christmas.” She held her crossed fingers up in a hopeful sign.

“Well, hope that little slugger makes it soon.” Jake shook hands with Carley’s husband. “Hey, Billy!”

Haley twirled in front of him. “Jake! I’m wearing another princess dress today.”

“What a beautiful dress.” Jake picked her up. “You look like Cinderella.”

“You’ll have a fan for life if you keep talking like that.” Billy smiled as he put his arm across Carley’s shoulder. 

Haley giggled and Jake put her down. She danced around, holding her dress out. “Mommy said he’s Aunt Mandy’s Prince Charming.”

Carley darted glances at Amanda and Jake. “Haley.”

Billy leaned his head back and laughed. “Busted.”

Amanda’s breath came out slowly. She looked at Jake who bit his bottom lip, his eyes bulging.

Billy ruffled Haley’s hair. “Haley, you shouldn’t go around saying those things.” He winked at them.

“Okay.” Haley took Jake’s hand and led him to the Christmas tree to point out which gifts were hers.

Amanda stood in front of her sister, with her hands on her hips.

“I’m sorry. I had to tell Billy and Haley was right there.” Carley stared down at her feet, over her belly. “No one else knows.”

She looked at her parents who chatted in the dining room. All was normal.

“Whatever.” Amanda slipped away into the kitchen. She leaned against the counter and Jake's new cologne wafted up from her clothing. It was all man, and her temperature kicked up a few notches just thinking of Jake's masculinity.

She had to stay firm. Her parents couldn’t know. Jake thought her main reason was because of the show, and her focus. That was part of it, but really, she was scared. Scared to be hurt by Jake, who was famous for breaking hearts.

Sometimes, she would get a glimpse of the real Jake, the one that wouldn’t hurt her, like when they took their run earlier that morning and stole kisses behind the big oak trees. But, in the back of her mind, she didn’t know how long he was willing to maintain their relationship. If they told their parents, in the end she’d be devastated, along with her parents and the Edwards. Better to keep it simple.

No telling. No upset all around.

As if on cue, Jake snuck into the kitchen, the door swinging behind him. “What are you doing to me?” Jake hurried to her. “You look delectable.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and let them ease down her arms, then held her fingers. “You don’t know how hard it was to not throw you on the couch and have you right there.” He placed his hands on her hips, pulled her to him.

The heat spread through her body. “What about Haley?”

He kissed her ear.

“And Carley?” Her stomach fluttered. “She knows.”

“Good.” Another kiss.

“And our mothers?” Amanda’s heart pounded, knowing they could be caught any minute. 

Jake turned Amanda around snuggling her back against his front. His hands settled at her waist and he swayed his hips to hers. “Why don’t we skip this place, rent a cabin in Colorado, stay naked in front of the fireplace, and spend the New Year together?”

Her voice was raspy. “Denalo’s fashion show is in a few weeks.”

“Show schmoe.” Jake kissed her neck, letting his tongue linger in every crevice. “Let’s tell everyone right now. Get this out in the open. It could be our Christmas present to our mothers.”

Amanda turned her head so she could see him from the corner of her eye. “Not yet.” She held his hands on her stomach and leaned her head back.

He stopped swaying and gave her one last lingering kiss on her neck.  “Well, I’m ready to tell them.”

Heat pooled between her legs and Amanda hoped she didn't start panting.

He moved up to her ear and sucked it gently. “I have a little something for you. When can we meet alone so I can give it to you?”

Before she could answer, Carley walked into the kitchen. “Don’t mind me. Keep doing … whatever it was.” She shielded her eyes as she walked to the fridge.

Jake stepped back from Amanda and leaned on the counter.

Carley grabbed a juice box, then turned around. “Ya’ll are too much. Why do you have to hide it? Everyone would love to know you two are an item, since they’ve talked about it since you were ten.” 

He held his palms out. “Exactly what I’ve been saying.”

Amanda didn’t know how to explain it. No one would understand her reasoning. “When we’re ready, we’ll tell them.”

The doorbell sounded, interrupting the conversation. Who could that be? They weren't expecting more company today.

Carley leaned against the counter. “Jake says he’s ready. What’s wrong with spreading a little happiness on Christmas day?”

“Exactly.” Jake walked to Amanda and rubbed her back. “That’s exactly what I said.”

Amanda turned and narrowed her eyes. “You know how Mama gets. She’ll have us married by New Year’s. She’s always tried to plan everything in my life. I don’t want her interfering.”

“Mama’s changed, Mandy. You have to give her a chance. Give Jake a chance.”

She looked at the man next to her. He pulled her close by the waist and smiled. “Your sister is a very smart woman.”

“Mandy! Someone’s here to see you.” Amanda’s mom called from the living room.

Carley shrugged. “I won’t say anything, but it’s obvious he’s crazy about you. It’s kind of cute.” She leaned over, squeezed Jake’s cheeks, and then left the kitchen.

“Mandy!” Her mom screeched through the house.

“I better get out there before mom has a conniption.”

Jake touched his forehead to hers. “Whatever you want, Mandy.” He kissed her. “I’m just going to get something to drink and I’ll be right out.”

When Amanda reached the living room, everyone’s hushed silence startled her.

Then she saw him.

Dominic stood at the entrance.

What the hell is he doing here?

JAKE PUSHED THE KITCHEN
door open and walked into a silent living room. “Hey, what happened to the Christmas music?”

He stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of Dominic, on bended knee with Amanda holding a ring between her fingers. She turned around. Her cheeks flushed as their eyes met. What the hell?

Suddenly nothing made sense. Never had he fathomed he’d be in this situation -- watching Amanda with another man’s ring on her finger. Not even a moment ago, they’d been in the kitchen, arms wrapped around each other.

“
Ma Chérie
, I ask again, will you marry me?” Dominic asked with a pinched expression.

“Wait just a minute,” said Jake.  A million thoughts raced through his mind, making him sick.  This couldn’t be happening.  It was all just a screwed up dream.  What he and Amanda had was special. 

“Honey, sit down. Amanda’s boyfriend is proposing to her,” his mom called from across the room.

“I should’ve known they got back together,” whispered Libby. “Dominic is still her boyfriend. Not the nicest man but
--”

Jake’s jaw clenched along with his fists.  “He’s not her boyfriend. I am. We’re seeing each other.”

His mom and Libby gasped.

“Jake.” Amanda’s gaze bounced from place to place. 

Jake forced his way to Amanda. His body tensed when Dominic bared his teeth. “How could I not say anything with Pepe Le Pew coming in and acting like he owns you … proposing right under my nose?”

“You again,” Dominic grunted, pushing Jake on the chest.

“Don’t touch me.” Jake drew in a steady breath and clenched his fists. He faced Amanda. “What’s going on?”

Dominic moved closer to Amanda, smoothing the wrinkles in his pants, and put his arm around her shoulder. “Don’t pay attention to him.” He forced the ring from her fingers and held it up in the air. “Try it on. The ring will fit perfectly.”

Amanda shrugged off his arm. “No, Dominic.”

Dominic stepped closer to her and lifted her chin. “You will take it.”

Jake pulled Dominic back, the pulse in his neck twitching. “The lady said no. Now get the hell out.”

Amanda stepped between them. “Jake, I can handle this on my own.”

He glowered. “Shit, Mandy. This clown comes in here, manhandling you, and you expect me to sit back and just watch? Screw that.”

The imbecile had the nerve to stand in front of him, smiling through his teeth, loving every minute of his annihilation of their romance.

Another thought sank in. This one more disturbing than any. “Is this the reason you wanted to keep us a secret? Have you been seeing Dominic, too?” He was nauseous.  Pissed and nauseous.  He’d finally let his guard down, finally allowed himself to love and envision a future with someone and she was two-timing him. 

Caroline gasped. “She dated him while she dated Jake?”

“Of course she didn’t.” Libby scrunched her eyebrows together.

“Well, then, why is he here proposing right under Jake’s nose?”

“Good question.”

“Are you serious, Jake? Do you know me at all?” Amanda’s high-pitched tone echoed across the room.

Joe leapt up from the couch. “Maybe we should leave these three alone.”

“No!” The mothers screamed at the same time.

“No.”  Jake mentally ordered himself to calm down and dragged his hands through his hair. He closed his eyes and took several deep breaths. He was the one for Amanda, not this schmuck. His heart drummed a thousand beats per minute with a pain right in the center.

Joe and Gil sat next to their wives, stupefied.

Dominic sidestepped Jake, pushing his shoulder at the same time, and took Amanda’s hand again. “I haven’t heard an answer,
Ma Chérie
.”

The jerk’s words propelled him to grab the other man’s arm. “She is not going to marry you, asshole.” Jake dragged Dominic the few feet to the foyer and opened the door. “So, get the hell out of here and never come back.”

“But -- ” Dominic sputtered.

Jake slammed the door in his face and turned to a quiet living room.

“Jake Andrew --” his mom screeched from the living room.

Jake flapped his palm out. “Quiet, Mom.” He jammed his hands in his pant pockets and turned to face Amanda. “Now, where were we?”

Amanda’s ears turned red and she covered her face with her hands. “I could’ve done that, you know?”