All I Want for Christmas by Lynn Emery Read Free Book Online

striding away. Security officers and
lawyers nodded respectfully at the imposing woman. She traded a few
friendly comments with the security staff and gave restrained
greetings to the lawyers. Then she disappeared around a corner that
led to the elevators.
    “That was fun,” Nedra blurted out. “I’m
sorry. I just keep...”
    “Will you relax? I know the
effect Mother has, or rather likes to have on people. Usually women
I date can’t wait to meet her. My parents stage two lavish holiday
parties at Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Lots of folks would love
to be invited.” Carlos’ smile stiffened.
    “I’m pretty sure I’ll be busy,” Nedra said
quickly.
    Carlos barked out a loud
laugh. “You don’t know the date yet. You want to stay far away from
my mother. I have to say I kinda like that,” he quipped.
    “Will you stop?” Nedra
playfully slapped him on the shoulder. Then she lowered her voice.
“You do know that Rod supported your mother’s opponent in her last
election? And she reportedly gave help to Rod’s opponent when he
ran for constable. She and the mayor aren’t Rod Davidson
fans.”
    “Yes, I do know, and you
pulled a nice punch in pointing out that Mother and the mayor
showed for a photo opp.” Carlos grinned impishly when Nedra blinked
at him.
    “I didn’t exactly...”
Nedra’s voice trailed off and she avoided his gaze. “Carlos,
listen, I shouldn’t have gotten my back up with your mother. It’s
just, well, a few times she’s called the office and wasn’t exactly
cordial. I’m afraid I ran interference for Rod when he didn’t want
to talk to her.”
    Carlos flinched. “Ouch. I’m
sure she doesn’t even remember that.”
    Nedra gave him a skeptical look. “Judge
Jacobs not remember?”
    “She isn’t small-minded.
That political stuff has nothing to do with you and me. Now smile
and think of how much fun we’re going to have on Saturday.” He gave
her a quick kiss on the forehead. “Will you meet me there or can I
pick you up?”
    “You can come pick me up,”
Nedra replied, without thinking of the rule about new dates: no
trips to your home in the early stages. Not until you get to know
him and confirm he’s not a psycho.
    “Good,” he replied, giving
her arm a squeeze. “Text me your address. Talk to you later
tonight.”
    “Sure,” Nedra said, and
watched him stroll off with a smile plastered across her face. She
turned around and bumped into someone. “Sorry.”
    Dwayne looked down at her.
“So caught up that you’re tripping over people, huh?”
    “Hello, Dwayne. See you later. I have to get
back to the office,” Nedra said in a dry tone. She sighed inwardly
when Dwayne fell in step beside her.
    “So you’re kicking it with
the judge’s favorite son?” he asked. “The mayor is running for the
legislature next year; the district fourteen senate seat. I hear
Rod is going to throw his name into the race.”
    “My boss doesn’t discuss his political plans
with me.”
    Nedra cursed the surge of
people who slowed her progress towards the elevators. Once they got
there, she pressed the button hard, as if that would speed one to
her.
    Dwayne glanced around and lowered his voice.
“Judge Jacobs and her hubby are quietly supporting the mayor’s
bid.”
    “Thanks for the update,
Dwayne, but none of that has anything to do with me.”
    Nedra darted into the
elevator with a crowd that left no room for Dwayne. She waved
goodbye to him as the doors whisked shut. Great. One more reason to keep things light with
Carlos. They could enjoy each other and
never get to the ‘meet the parents’ stage, Nedra vowed. The last
thing she wanted was a monster-in-law. Then she thought of Carlos
and the way they’d talked so easily over dinner; of the way he
looked at her and really saw her. Life had played a little nasty joke on her
this time.
     
     
    ****
     
     
    On Friday evening, Nedra
sat in her mother’s small den with her feet on the leather ottoman,
which matched