Establishing Shot
Sweet potato hash with torched marshmallow fluff. Cranberry sauce staining the tile floors. Mulled cider spilling off the kitchen counter. A perfect key lime pie sitting amongst this madness. Ty places a dollop of whipped cream over fruit, nudging me to the side.
“My cousin’s been staring at you since you walked through the door,” Ty grimaces, grabbing pumpkin spice to put in the stuffing. He’s right. Henry Rider’s been glancing over in this direction one too many times. He isn’t that lucky.
“I see.”
“Cut him some slack. He’s been giving you puppy dog eyes since grade school,” Ty admits, bumping hips with me. Someone just walked in. Wine is being corked open. Turkey is roasting in the dutch oven.
“I don’t know why,” I say, beginning to cut pieces of key lime. It’s creamy goodness, the kind you only let yourself have once every year on Thanksgiving. If you double up, you’ll end up with a sweet tooth. I think all my teeth have ended up turning sweet.
“Is it so surprising Jason isn’t the only one who notices you?” Ty asks. I look at him now. Waiting for him to give it to me. And he does. “You underestimate yourself.” I watch as he makes his way to the table, kissing Oliver as he places down some sides. The door opens. It isn’t Jason. Where is he?
“That looks delicious,” Henry sighs, nudging up next to me. His smile is kind, green eyes twinkling like emeralds in the distant night. They’re shooting stars I could catch a ride on.
“Homemade recipe,” I tell him, cutting him off a slice and sliding the plate towards him. Laughter is coming from the living room. Someone got political. Someone drank all the wine. Henry gives me that smile again as he inhales the key lime.
“How’s work at the diner going? Ty tells me it’s been pretty crowded.”
“Boss is getting old. He’s passing on his legacy soon. Ty and I are his favorites but…” I admit, grabbing a piece of pie as well. I need a little sweetness right now too. The cream melts instantly on my tongue. Henry enjoys it too.
“You work harder than anyone there. If it’s going to anyone, it’s gonna be you,” Henry exclaims, giving me a flash of those emeralds again. I laugh from his gaze, finally easing up.
“That’s kind of you to say,” I tell him, looking towards the door. It doesn’t open, but instead I let the hardwood planks mock me instead. No sign of a knob turning. No rumbling footsteps.
“If you have off next Friday, I’d love to take you out,” Henry asks, sliding his plate away, finishing it clean. I smile inside, thinking about the cookie crumble crust. Rowdy laughter comes from the other room. I look at the door again. No movement.
“Um, sure,” I exhale, giving him a soft smile. “That’d be nice.”
“Henry and Dawn get in here! Oliver’s gonna drink all the wine if you don’t!” Ty exclaims, as we walk towards the table. The mulled wine has been guzzed in whole. The turkey ripped apart like a kid’s arts and crafts project. I sit across from Ty, who’s giving me a knowing look. How does he always know?
“What’d we miss in the kitchen?” Ty asks, running a hand through his chocolate strains. I want to pull on them right now and douse them in water. Henry scoots his chair next to mine, pouring wine into my glass. My hand stills behind it’s glassy coolness.
“Dawn was just catching me up on things,” Henry explains. Someone across the table nibbles on cookies. The radiator is on full blast. Oliver feeds Ty a bite of his cake.
“Oh, was she now?” Ty exclaims, his smile now beaming. I wish I could lean over the table and slap him silly. I’d probably be kicked out. The door finally opens, and in with it a gust of November breeze. It sends a chill up my spine. Jason steps in from behind the door, standing there in all his glory. Store bought pie in hand.
“I’m so sorry, I’m late. Traffic was bad getting here,” Jason apologizes, turning towards us. He turns to see me, a blue oasis pulsing in his gaze. I want to bathe in it. Soak it in. His mouth tilts up in a smile that makes me feel warm inside.
“Got here just in time for dessert. Studio let you leave this late?” Oliver asks, bringing over a chair for him to sit. Jason drops down, his gaze directly across from me now. He is so close. Yet I feel not close enough.
“Just did some office work. Wrapping up before the holidays,” Jason says.
“Oliver, this wine is so good. Where’s it from?” Henry exclaims, pouring himself another glass. I’ve barely touched mine. I can feel Jason’s hot gaze on me. The smell of grapes waft in the air. Moonlight saunters in from the kitchen window. Whipped cream is dripping.
“I got it at this french restaurant across town. They make their own wine in house. You should really go,” Oliver encourages, finishing the bottle. Henry leans into me now, a smile hitting his lips. He is softer, more innocent.
“Maybe that’s where I’ll take you Friday night,” Henry whispers, the words crisping in the chilly air. I pause, my body as frozen as the ice that’s left on the windowsill. If only I could start a fire inside me.
“You’re taking Dawn out Friday?” Ty wonders, turning to me. Jason’s gaze is stronger, watching as Henry’s hand drapes across the back of my chair. I can see the red blur behind Jason’s stare now as he watches with intent. A timer goes off from the oven. Someone puts the radio on in the background. The last piece of apple pie just got snatched.
“If she lets me,” Henry exclaims. I smile, the smirk made of plastic. Is this what Kenzie does all day?
“Better be a gentleman,” Jason mutters, running a hand through his jet black hair. It’s spiked at the top this time, gel drying in it from the morning shower.
“I’m sorry, and you are?” Henry asks, making me want to sink further and further into my seat. Drop dead and get revived with Ty standing over me, laughing. I gulp down the rest of my wine, slamming the glass down.
“Oh this is too good,” Ty laughs, wiping the chocolate off his plate. “Please, continue.”