“I just need to do one thing,” she calls to me. “Just a minute.” She goes into the bathroom and comes out a few minutes later, her hair brushed and lipstick freshly applied. “Ready,” she says, scanning the living room. She picks up the tray of fruit and puts it in the refrigerator. “Do you think your mom would like the chocolates, or did you want them?”
“I think Mom would appreciate them. That’s a good idea.” She picks them up, then her purse, and after we put on our coats, she takes my hand.
My dad answers the door quickly when we knock. He hugs me swiftly, then takes Emi in his arms.
“Welcome, Emi,” he says. Dad has mellowed since retirement. He used to be rigid, all business, a little unsentimental and cold, but with his free time– and maybe with a little influence from the grandkids– he has been able to finally focus on his family and has become a very warm and sensitive man.
“Thank you, Mr. Holland,” Emi says.
“It’s Jack, to you, my dear,” he says.
“So this is why they call you Jacks,” Emi says to me with a smile. “I suddenly see the need in calling you something else.” My mom comes to us and hugs us both again, thanking Emi when she hands her the box of chocolates. Matthew is pointing a video camera at us, narrating our every move. I nudge Emi, pointing it out to her, and we both wave and say hello. My brother continues filming, following my mother and Emi into the kitchen.
“Jacks, this is the best place we’ve ever stayed,” my father says. “It seems a little exorbitant,” he whispers to me. “Are you doing okay, financially?” He always worries about money. Needlessly.
“Yes, Dad. I can afford this... and I’ll still be able to scrounge up enough money to pay for your nursing home,” I joke with him. He pats me on the shoulder and nods. I catch up with Emi in the kitchen.
“Jackson,” she says, playing up the formality, “would you like something to drink?”
“I’ll grab a beer. Did you want a glass of wine?” I offer.
“Yes, please,” she says, handing me a wine glass. Emi and I take a seat on the floor by the fireplace, surrounded by Matthew, Lucas and my parents.
“Emi, tell us about yourself,” my mom says. She shifts uncomfortably, takes a sip of wine, and begins to answer her question.
“Well,” she says. “I went to NYU and got a Fine Arts degree... I’m a graphic designer and illustrator... mainly freelance jobs for books and magazines.”
“That sounds very fun,” my mom says. “Very creative.”
“Yes,” Emi continues. “I really enjoy it.”
“I know your brother, Chris,” my dad says. “Any other siblings?”
“Yes, we also have an older sister, Jennifer. She and her daughter, Clara, live with me.”
“And how did you meet Jacks?” Lucas asks her.
We both laugh a little. “When, the first time?” I ask.
“This sounds like a story,” he settles in to the couch, ready to listen.
“Oh, it is,” Matthew says.
“We met in college,” I tell Lucas. “Her brother– he’s the one whose wedding I was in last September– he was one of my fraternity brothers... and Emi came to one of our parties.”
“My memories of that night weren’t crystal clear,” Emi blushes. “But I remember Jack being the only gentleman there.”
“The only gentleman... but the only one who got to kiss you.”
“I remember that,” my mother says. “He was crazy about you.”
“So you’ve known each other all this time?” Lucas asks.
“Not exactly,” I explain. “We didn’t see each other, for many years. But we got reacquainted, um... at her brother’s engagement party.” I stop myself, swallowing back any additional words. I don’t really know how to tell our story without getting into the sad reality of it. I am afraid to look at Emi, afraid to see her sorrow– it’s been awhile since I’ve seen it– so her voice startles me when she continues.
“I was dating someone else at the time, though,” she says. My eyes meet hers, and she smiles warmly, sensing my struggle.
“But later in the year, after seeing each other around the city a few times, I just decided to ask her out,” I say, encouraged to continue.
“We spent a lot of time getting to know each other, just as friends,” Emi says. “Jack was very patient with me... but I think we both knew all along we’d end up together.”
“I’d hoped for that since that day in college,” I lament. She squeezes my hand. I’m grateful that she guided that conversation. I feel like what has happened in her life is her business. I had only told one person: Kelly.
I had called my twin sister as I left the hospital early in the morning. It only took one ring for her to pick up. She told me she had just awoken a few moments earlier with a sinking feeling in her stomach. She knew something had happened with me immediately. I felt completely destroyed in that moment as I recounted the entire night to her. Normally able to control my emotions, I had no idea how to deal with what had happened. Kelly had been so worried about me that she had driven to my house to stay with me– for two days.
Emi’s history affects me directly, but it really doesn’t affect anyone else. I have deliberately chosen not to tell anyone else about Nate’s death. If she decides to share that, it will be her decision.
“And so,” Matthew interjects, “does that take one of Manhattan’s most eligible bachelors off the market?”
“You had to go there?” I ask.
“She doesn’t know?” he laughs. I shake my head and roll my eyes, then look at Emi.
“Know what?”
My mom answers, proudly. “Jack was featured in Gotham magazine as one of the most eligible bachelors in the city last year.”
“Shut up!” Emi laughs. “Really?”
“Yes,” Mom says. “I’m sure he has a copy at home he could show you.”
“No, I don’t,” I assure her.
“Oh, I have to see that,” Emi starts, “why didn’t–”
“Thanks, Matty,” I interrupt. “But to answer your question, yes. I think it’s safe to say I’m off the market.”
Emi looks at me, eyes wide, smile even wider. She leans in to kiss me, never afraid of little PDAs, apparently in front of my family, either. I have to admit, I’ve never really been comfortable displaying my feelings in front of other people... but with Emi, it’s different. I feel like a different person around her. I want to kiss her, touch her– whatever it takes to make her smile or laugh. I don’t even think about it, worry about what anyone else thinks. I want people to see how happy she makes me. I feel my face get hot for once, though, as I realize my family is staring, a bit taken by surprise by my actions.
“Does anyone need a refill?” my dad says, standing up, seemingly uncomfortable. My mother is just smiling, and couldn’t look more pleased.
I eye Emi’s nearly-full glass and tell him no.
“Oh, you two were hungry, weren’t you?” my mom asks. Honestly, we had eaten on the plane.
“You know,” Emi says, “I’m just going to wait for dinner.”
“Yeah, me, too.”
“Well let me know if you change your mind,” she follows up.
My sister and her daughters show up a short while later. Mom and Dad immediately get reacquainted with their granddaughters, leaving the rest of us to talk in the living room.
“Do you dance, Emi?” my brother asks.
“After a drink or two, yes,” she admits.
“Excellent, so, are we hitting the clubs tonight?” Matthew asks.
“No,” Kelly whines. “Can’t we wait until Monday, when Thomas gets in?”
“We can’t do both?” Lucas asks.
“I don’t know,” my sister answers. “I kind of want to relax tonight, don’t you guys?”
“Let’s just go tomorrow night, or Monday, so Thomas can join us,” I suggest. “Emi and I had an early morning.”
“Whatever,” Lucas argues. “We were up a
good three hours before you two, so you can’t use that as an excuse.”
“I could go for a little bit,” Emi says with pleading eyes. “It’ll be fun,” she shrugs in my direction.
“I thought you were tired,” I look at her, questioning. “Didn’t you say you just wanted to go to bed? Early, I mean?”
“I’ll still be plenty tired later,” she blushes as my brother and his partner look at her skeptically. “Please?”
“Whatever you want to do, Em,” I tell her, secretly just wanting to be alone with her.
“Thank you,” she says, squeezing my hand.
“Hey,” Matthew interjects. “Steven just texted. He and Renee and Lex are here. They said they could be ready in an hour... so I’ll come by and pick you all up in the SUV then. Sound good?”
“Perfect,” Emi says, standing excitedly and helping me up. We tell my parents and nieces goodbye before walking back to our cabin.
Forty-five minutes later, Emi is still undecided, standing in front of a full-length mirror.
“I think this is the right one,” Emi says to herself, staring at her tight leather pants and fitted shimmery silver top. I glance away quickly, unable to look at her without getting turned on. I hate my brother for suggesting we all go out. Especially now that she’s dressed like this.
“I can’t believe you wasted this much time picking out an outfit, Em,” I say as I thumb through the resort’s brochure, looking at anything to keep my eyes off of her. “We could have done so many other things in that hour.”
“Okay, Grumpy,” she argues. “There will be plenty of time for so many other things later. I think it’s important that I spend some time with your siblings, so they can get to know me. I think this sounds like fun.”
“It does,” I tell her. “I’m just jealous that you’d rather spend time with them and not me.”
“You’ll be there.”
“I want you to myself, though.” I snake my arms through hers and hold her body tightly next to mine, placing an unexpected kiss on the corner of her lips as I run my hands over her behind tentatively. “Especially with you dressed like this.”
“So you do like this outfit? Because you haven’t said anything about it yet...”
“I’m trying not to acknowledge that you’re really going out in public looking like that.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asks, offended.
“It’s too sexy, Emi,” I tell her, kissing her ear. “Do you have any idea what I want to do to you right now?”
“No,” she whispers. “Tell me.”
“Absolutely not,” I tell her, letting her go. “I’ll just show you later tonight. Are you wearing that black thing?” I ask.
“Are you kidding?” she asks. “Like anything would fit under this.” She flutters her lashes at me as she turns to walk away, grabbing her coat on the way to the door.
I close my eyes and count to ten before following her out of the cabin when we hear the SUV’s horn, unable to remove the smile from my lips or the many thoughts of her from my head.
Lucas orders a round of shots as soon as we get to the club in central Vail. My sister passes, having agreed to be the designated driver tonight. We pull together a few tables in the bar to accommodate my family.
Steven and Renee show up about a half hour later.
“We had to get Lexi settled with the girls,” Renee explains, hugging everyone warmly with Steven following behind her. I introduce Emi to my brother and his girlfriend, and when Renee reaches Kelly, a loud squeal erupts from my sister’s lips.
“Yeah,” Steven says loudly, addressing all of us. “We would like to invite you all to a wedding next summer.”
“No way,” I say to him, walking over to Renee again to give her a kiss on the cheek. I find my brother and do the same. “Congratulations. We thought this day would never come.”
“When did this happen?” Kelly asks.
“On the plane,” Renee says. “He asked me over the loud speaker on the airplane!”
“Let’s have another round for the newly engaged couple,” Matty announces, passing out more shot glasses. I find a menu and take a look at their food options, pulling Emi to my side.
“You should probably eat something, Em,” I encourage her. “I think I’m going to get a chicken sandwich, do you want me to order something for you?”
“Sure,” she says, already a little giddy, her feet tapping anxiously to the loud music. “Just get me whatever you’re getting.” I order the sandwiches and a beer for myself, a glass of wine for her.
“Hey, Jacks,” Lucas says over the crowd noise. “Can I borrow your girl for a dance?”
“Come with me,” Emi adds, pulling me by my arm.
“I think Lucas will be enough for you,” I tell her, planting myself in a seat. “He’s a much better dancer.”
“You lie, you’re a great dancer,” she pleads.
“I don’t dance to this, Emi. I need to catch up with my brother, anyway.”
“You don’t mind?” she asks.
“Not at all, go have fun,” I smile. I glare at Matty as he hands her another shot before his partner takes her to the dance floor. “Matthew, she hasn’t had much to eat today. Go easy on the shots, okay?”
“You’re such a worrier. We won’t get her too drunk.”
“Yeah. Thanks,” I roll my eyes at him as Steven sits down next to me. Renee, Matty and Kelly all join Lucas and Emi. My youngest brother and I have similar temperaments, both a little too reserved to feel comfortable letting loose on the dance floor. I don’t mind slow dancing, but I just feel like an idiot dancing to faster songs.
“Congratulations, Stevie,” I tell him again, patting him on the back. “I’m really glad you’re making it official.”
“Yeah, I think it’s time.” Steven and Renee had been living together for about a year. Renee thought it was best for Lexi, wanting her to grow up in a household that had two parents. “How is it going with Emi?”
“Great,” I tell him. “I couldn’t be happier.”
“Now, she’s the girl from college, right? The one that you were crazy about.”
“I guess, yeah,” I admit. I could remember going home for Christmas that year. It was just a few weeks after I had met her, and I had a difficult time getting my mind off of her. My family noticed the evidence of the black eye immediately, so I had to tell them the story. My brothers teased me relentlessly about her.
“How’d you get back in touch?” Steven asks.
“I was the best man in her brother’s wedding. She was the maid of honor. It just sort of happened from there,” I tell him simply. It’s an easier story to tell.
I watch Emi dancing with the rest of my family. It’s hard for me to not be jealous of my brother and his partner. Matty is free with his hands, pulling her body to his as he dances seductively with her. She looks at me and blushes, shrugging her shoulders at me but laughing at the same time. If it were anyone other than my flirtatious brother...
Renee hands her yet another shot as I fight the urge to go to her, take it from her and ask her to eat something before she drinks anything more. I’m being overprotective. I take a drink of my beer and force myself to stay seated, watching her from afar until the food comes. Then I’ll ask her to join me.
“She’s very pretty,” he says. “She seems to be having fun out there. Will she be here the whole week?” he asks.
“Yeah. She doesn’t have to report to work or anything, so she can take off at a moment’s notice. Kind of nice, really. Fits my schedule.”
“That’s convenient,” my brother comments. “Does she have a house, or rent an apartment?”
“She and her sister share an apartment that she kind of inherited.”
“Interesting.” The waiter brings the food to the table. Emi looks over a few seconds later and I signal for her to join me. Lucas tries to hold on to her as she stumbles away from him. I stand up to pull the chair out for her. As soon as I sit down, thoug
h, she stands up and moves to my lap, putting her arm around my shoulder and tilting my head up to kiss her.
“Are you having fun?” I ask her. She nods, taking a baby carrot from the plate and eating it. I brush a few errant strands of hair from her eyes and kiss her once more. My brother stands abruptly and moves to the bar, taking a seat.
“Did I make him uncomfortable?” she giggles.
“Maybe,” I tell her. “But I’m comfortable.” I run my hand down her thigh as she takes another carrot and feeds it to me. “You are so sexy, Emi. I can barely stand to watch you dance out there like that.”
“Really?” she smiles innocently, batting her eyelashes.
“Really. Here, eat something substantial,” I tell her, picking up one of the sandwiches and offering it to her. She takes a small bite before setting it down on the plate, then sees the wine and takes a drink. After setting the glass back down, she kisses my cheek, then my earlobe. “I can’t wait to get back to the cabin,” I tell her.
“Come dance with me,” she says excitedly.
“Emi, eat something, please,” I beg.
“Dance with me first,” she barters as a more down-tempo song begins to play.
“One dance, then you’ll eat?” She smiles seductively and nods. I nudge her off my lap as she takes my hand and leads me to the floor, leaving our food behind.
Emi pulls me close to her, gripping my shirt tightly as we dance to the slower song. I clasp my hands behind her and lean down to kiss her.
“I’m not wearing anything under this,” she reminds me.
“Yes, I know. You mentioned that in the cabin,” I laugh.
“Did I?” she blushes.
“You’re a little drunk, Em.”
“I know,” she giggles. “I like your family.”
“I think they like you, too. Not as much as I do...”
Her hands move from my shirt to my hair, her eyes searching mine. “Do you love me?”
“That’s a silly question. You know I do.” I brush her cheek with my thumb, smiling assuredly.
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why do you love me? You could love anyone in the world.”