4. Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Michael

I watch the love of my life walk out of the coffee shop where the Christmas Mixer is being held. She left in a huff after I confronted her. I made the mistake of letting my anger come to the surface. All Mandy ever did was leave to make her dreams come true. Who am I to keep her from doing that?

I walk to the punch bowl and get a refill. I really wish there was some hard liquor in this place.

Not sure where to go or what to do, I just sulk in a corner booth. Soon enough, three large figures are looming all around me. My brothers sit down in the booth without asking permission. That's not a thing with us, but I'd like them to keep their distance for once. That's not going to happen tonight, though.

I wait with my head low, sipping my punch as if they are not there.

"Michael," Ben says.

I keep ignoring them until one of them kicks me under the table.

"What? God, are you eight?"

Justin makes a face at me and doesn't even try to apologize. I'm going to have a bruise on my lower leg tomorrow.

"Michael, I know she broke your heart, but you were kind of a jerk to her just now."

Ben is the one who knows how much I hurt for this woman. I can't believe he's defending her right now.

"She took me by surprise, is all. I thought I'd never see her again."

"Well, I think you're going to have to let go of that rage because we will be working closely with her," Danny says.

"What? What do you mean?"

"She came into the office yesterday and asked us for a quote on renovations to her grandmother's place. Seems she inherited it and wants to sell it."

"Right, sell it and probably leave again," I grumble.

"Do you think you can be civil enough to go to her grandmother’s place and get the measurements and requirements for the job?" Danny asks.

"What? Why do I have to be the one to go? Any of you can do that job."

"We just think this will give you a chance to be around her and maybe get some of the answers you need for closure," Ben says.

Ben is right, as usual. I do need to talk to Mandy, but I don't know if I can put the hurt aside enough to speak to her openly. I have so many questions, but most are none of my business. Like where she went and how did she do? Why isn't she starring in some Hollywood movie or a Broadway show?

She's a talented actress and dancer. She can do anything she sets her mind on. The woman I saw tonight was not the strong-willed person I'd loved so many years ago. She defended herself when I barked at her, but she seemed small and defeated before that. I didn't like seeing that one bit.

"Is Monday okay?"

"Yeah, that'll be great, buddy." My brother Danny says.

Now, I've got to figure out how to deal with Mandy Schmidt once again. She's changed, but outside, she's still as beautiful and desirable as ever. I talk shop with my brothers for a while, and little by little, they leave with their wives or significant others. I know Justin needs to relieve his babysitter.

Before I leave, a couple of ladies sit down and flirt with me, but I'm in no mood for that right now, not after seeing Mandy. On my way out, I see the mayor skulking around some of the ladies, and I frown at him. Someone really needs to run for his seat and get that creep out of office. Woodland Falls cannot afford more of his shenanigans.

Try as I may, I can't keep myself from driving past Mandy's grandmother's place. The lights are all out, and the place looks locked up tight, so she might not be staying there. At least, I hope not. Her car is not in the driveway, either. She might have a new car, but no cars are in the driveway. Maybe she's staying with a friend, even though I remember her being a bit of a loner.

Once home, I'm restless and kicking myself for mistreating her when I had the chance to reconnect with her instead. The way she left, though, it shattered me.

A big part of me needs answers. At least, I think I deserve them. The urge for alcohol plagues me again, but I've gotten rid of all the liquor here.

The first few years after Mandy left, I was in shambles, and whiskey was my best friend. If it was not for the support of my family, I think I would have hurt myself and ended it all. Then there was all this anger and resentment for letting her actions affect my life the way they did. I'm eleven years older than her and should know better.

My phone vibrates on the living room table and I take a peek to see who it is. I know it's probably Ben, and I'm right.

Ben: Are you okay?

Me: No

Ben: Do you want me to come over?

Me: We'll have Christmas Eve dinner together tomorrow

Ben: Okay, see you tomorrow

I get ready for bed, but all I can think about is Mandy. Will I ever be able to get over her? Can I even interact with her without treating her badly?

Little do I know I will get my answer in twenty-four hours at my parent’s house.

I'm bringing some apple pie from Flora's Baked Delights to Christmas Eve dinner with the family when I see an unknown car in my parent's driveway. It used to be just the six of us for dinner, plus granny, but my brothers have started expanding the family with their significant others. The newest member is Sam, who owns Over the Roast, a fantastic coffee shop downtown. Danny's wife, Merry, is expecting her first baby, and Justin has kept to himself since the mother of his little girl passed away when she was born.

I lock my car and go through the back door into the mud room, where I take almost all my clothes off. The house is warm and smells amazing, with a mixture of food, pine, and Christmas overall. I love this season, but I miss having someone to share it with. I place the pie on one of the warmers on the stove and get ready to greet my family.

As soon as I walk into the dining room, I freeze. Mandy is there with someone I don't recognize.

"Michael! So glad you made it. We have some guests today, you remember Mandy? And this is our town's own librarian, Ana Maria Gonzalez."

I nod to them mechanically and swallow the bile that is in my mouth right now. I search for something to help Mom with, but they seem to be waiting for me to get her to start eating. So, I sit as far away from Mandy as possible and focus on what my family is chatting about. I do notice the looks my brother Justin is giving the librarian, and she seems to know his daughter Daisy well. There's clearly something going on there, but I'm too tied up with my own feelings about Mandy being here to ponder it.

My mom has outdone herself as usual, and everything looks delicious. We pass the dishes down the table, and I make an effort to ignore the short, curvy blond at the end. I think I'm doing well when Danny throws me to the wolves.

"Mandy, on Monday Michael will go evaluate your house for the necessary repairs. He'll draw up the quote, so make sure you give him every detail of what you need fixed or changed."

"What?" I say, looking like a zombie who's just resurrected and is looking for brains.

"Oh, Michael is going to do it?"

"Yes, if that's okay," Danny says.

"Sure. I already have a list going. I just need to double-check it and add anything I've forgotten. What time on Monday, Michael?"

I'm totally frozen in front of everyone, but I feel a kick on my shin, and I bounce up in my chair.

"Around ten."

"I'll be waiting for you, then." She says.

I go back to my eating, but I can feel all eyes on me. The one person that isn't looking at me is Mandy, who seems to be trying to ignore me as much as I am her. That'll make for an interesting business meeting come Monday. But I realize I have to talk to her before we do any business. If only there was a way for me to do that without tearing my heart open all over again.