The Billionaire's First Christmas - A Sweet Christmas Romance Page 18

I went by the mall on my way home from work on Wednesday evening and bought a new dress. I wanted to look great for dinner Thursday night, especially since I hadn’t heard from Aaron. I hadn’t been convinced that he would agree to go, but since I hadn’t heard from him and it was already Wednesday night, I thought that was a good sign. I thought he was enough of a gentleman that he would have surely called if the answer was no. I couldn’t imagine him just not showing up. I walked around and listened to the Christmas music and looked at all the pretty decorations. I got some ideas for my own tree from the one in the center of the mall and while I was there, I bought some more Christmas decorations. I enjoyed seeing everyone out, looking happy and excited that the season was finally upon us. I went home with a warm, happy feeling in my heart.

  I left work early on Thursday with Max’s blessing. I had a ton of vacation time saved up and he was more than willing to let me use it here and there before the holidays. I went straight home and started getting ready. I took a long, hot bubble bath first. It felt so good to soak in the warm, soft bubbles when the weather was so harsh and cold outside. I loved the snow, but I loved it even more from the warmth of my own home.

  When I got out of the tub, I slipped on my robe and I put my hair in hot rollers. Afterwards, I applied my make-up carefully and then I slipped on my new dress. It was a light green pleated chiffon gown with beaded back bodice and it was sleeveless with beads that went across the shoulders. It had an A-line skirt that ended just below the knee. I had the perfect pair of silver shoes to wear with it. Once I was dressed, I took out the rollers and shook my hair out loose around my face and across my shoulders. I painted my fingernails and my toenails and when they dried, I put on a silver chain, earrings and shoes. I took a final look in the mirror before I put on my coat. I was satisfied with the result. I grabbed my bag and then crossed my fingers and made a wish on the star outside my window that Aaron would show up, and then I headed out.

  On my way to the restaurant, I thought about how long it had been since I’d seen all of my dear friends. Melissa and her fiancé had a Halloween party and everyone was there. I’d dressed up like a cheetah in a costume that I’d made myself. It was a body suit with a little skirt and I’d made gloves and ears with the same material. The party had been a blast and I’d won best costume. The only regret I had that night was that all of my friends, even the unmarried ones, had partners. Some of them were just dating still, but they’d all been together for a while. I liked them all, and they all made me feel welcome… but I still felt a little bit like the odd man out. Melissa was always trying to set me up with one of Chris, her fiancé’s, friends. I appreciated that she worried about me and wanted to see me in a happy relationship, but I was of a mind that when it came to the man I was meant to be with, I would find him on my own, and I’d know when I found him.

  I parked my car in the lot and got a little excited tickle when I saw a limousine driving in. The driver got out to open the door for their passenger. It wasn’t Aaron’s chauffer Jeffrey, who I counted as one of my newest friends. I felt disappointed when I saw the smartly dressed man and woman get out of the car while the chauffeur held the door. I shook it off quickly, however, telling myself it was early yet. There was still time for Aaron to show. I wasn’t going to let myself get down tonight. Tonight was about good times with good company.

  I spotted Melissa and Chris at the bar when I walked in. I checked my coat and went over to see them.

  “Robyn!” Melissa wrapped me in a hug. “I’m so happy to see you. Look at you, you’re gorgeous! How are you still single?”

  Laughing, I thanked her and said, “I have no idea. And right back at you. I love that color on you!” Melissa was a petite little brunette with big blue eyes and a spray of freckles across her nose. She looked gorgeous, especially tonight in her strapless red holiday dress.

  “What about me?” Chris pretended to pout. “This suit is the exact shade of my eyes.” I hugged him too.

  “Of course it is… I was just going to say…” Chris was six foot five and looked like a linebacker. He was in a chocolate brown suit with a festive red tie. The suit did in fact match his eyes. He was kidding about picking it out though, I was sure. Chris was color blind and Melissa rarely let him pick out his own clothes. When she did, he was often seen wearing wildly mis-matched colors. It was something we all teased him about. He was a great sport though. I was so happy that Melissa found him. They were perfectly suited to each other. He was a really good guy.

  “Where is your date?”

  “He’ll be here soon,” I told her. “He’s meeting me here.”

  “I can’t wait to meet him,” she said.

  “Where is everyone else?” I asked them.

  “Carol and Brett will be here soon. She just text me, and I think I see Nadine and Tom walking in now.” I turned to see our friend Nadine coming towards us. She was a tall, willowy African-American woman with light mocha skin that always had a glow to it. We met Nadine in college and she’d been a good friend since. Her fiancé Tom was an artist who was rapidly gaining a following in New York. He was always happy and a ton of fun to hang out with. We all gave hugs and kisses and said hello and by that time, Carol and Brett arrived. Brett was the one that went way back with us in that couple. He and Melissa dated in college. It didn’t work out, but we’d all been tight ever since anyways. Carol and Brett had been dating for about six months now. She seemed like she was going to fit into the group just fine.

  “Are we ready to sit?” Chris asked. Melissa looked at me questioningly. I was sure she didn’t want to embarrass me by asking where my date was and I loved her for it.

  “Sure, let’s sit. My date should be here soon,” I said.

  We all sat down and the server took our drink and appetizer orders. I was starting to get nervous that Aaron wasn’t going to show up. I regretted telling Melissa that I had a date; the empty chair next to me looked ominous. I knew my friends wouldn’t judge me for it, but they’d feel badly for me and I didn’t want to be the cause of a damper on the evening. I kept looking towards the door and the bar, crossing my fingers that he was still going to make it, although I knew at this point I was fooling myself. It was already half past eight. I took one final look and turned back towards Melissa to tell her we could order… he wasn’t going to come. That was when I felt a tap on my shoulder. Excitedly I turned around… and there was Gary.

  “Gary, hi!” I said, surprised to see him and hoping my disappointment wasn’t showing on my face. I was also a little concerned about why Gary was here. Was he stalking me now? That was kind of a mean thought. This was a popular, public place. I was just so disappointed that it hadn’t been Aaron tapping me.

  “Hey Robyn,” he said. “I was having a drink at the bar and saw you. I just wanted to say hi and tell you that you look fantastic.” He had that look on his face again.

  “Thanks,” I said. He was so nice and I felt really mean for being so disillusioned when I first saw him. I turned to Melissa who had been in conversation with Nadine. Carol and Brett were talking to Chris. I don’t think anyone had heard what Gary and I said to each other. “Have a seat,” I told him, quickly. He looked surprised, but happy. He sat down in Aaron’s empty chair and I leaned in and whispered, “I was wondering if you haven’t eaten yet, if you’d like to join us for dinner?”

  Gary’s face lit up and he said, “Yes, I’d love to.”

  “Okay, thank you,” I told him, smiling back. “I’m going to introduce you as my date, so play along, okay?” I’d done my best for so long to not encourage him and I was probably undoing all of that right now. He looked about to burst he was so happy. I didn’t think it could be all that wrong. It made me happy that he was happy. I was still disappointed in Aaron. The least he could have done was call…

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  CHAPTER ELEVEN

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  AARON