The Sunday Brunch Diaries by Norma L. Jarrett

Author:Norma L. Jarrett
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780767930093
Publisher: Crown/Archetype
Published: 2008-08-18T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

“Angel” Tree

Octavio jumped on the marble island and watched Angel maneuver over the stove.

“I know you don’t have your butt on my countertop,” she said without turning around.

“Angel, how many times do I have to tell you? You don’t put any fear in my heart.” He pulled his phone out after it started to ring. He read the number and slid it back in his jeans.

“Somebody you don’t want to talk to?” Angel said as she piled the chicken, drowned in marsala sauce and mushrooms, on a plate.

“My mother, she always calls on Christmas Eve. But the last time we spoke she was still nagging me about going to see my father.”

“Well, she has a point.” Angel turned toward him to look into his eyes.

“He barely understands what I’m saying anyway.” He paused. “Hey, did I tell you you’re looking mighty good playing chef? You need to do it more often.” He walked over and pulled her away from the stove. He grabbed her and began to hug and tickle her.

“Okay, stop. I said stop!” She couldn’t contain her laughter. She tried to break away, as he held her wrists.

He finally let her go, but not before he pecked her on the cheek. They moved over to settle on the couch and eat.

“This is good, babe,” he said with his mouth half full.

“Thanks, Octavio, but can you finish chewing before you talk?” Angel said as she watched him continue cleaning his plate.

When they finished their dinner, Angel went back in the kitchen to check on her Christmas cookies.

Octavio walked across the hardwood floors and reached to touch one of the ornaments they had hung on her Christmas tree. He peered out the large windows that wrapped around the expanse of her high-rise loft. Octavio could see all of downtown including the city attorney’s office building where he worked. In the distance he could even see the Aquarium’s blue lights and Ferris wheel. “The view is a really peaceful sight from up here.” He closed his eyes, allowing the image to remain in his mind.

“I’m sorry, baby, what’d you say?” Angel said as she removed the cookies from the oven. “Sure you don’t want some?”

“I’ll try one, but I’m craving that apple pie,” he called and walked back over to recline on the couch.

When Angel returned, he admired how relaxed Angel was in her yoga pants and tank top. She handed him a slice of pie and dropped down next to him. She sat back, focusing on the flat-screen television. “Church was nice today, wasn’t it?” She sipped on a cup of fresh-brewed coffee.

“Yeah, it was. You know Jewel’s never going to let us hear the end of it since we stood up her and her fabulous party,” he said as the warm apple and ice cream melted in his mouth.

“She’ll get over it. Besides, Lexi called and said there was plenty of food, but the party was too crowded, loud, and . . . ghetto.” She grabbed the remote.

“I wasn’t in the mood for all of that,” he said as he rubbed her leg.

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