This story was contributed by Tamara Lush as a bonus addition to this story
"Well, you've now seen it all. The booming metropolis of St. Augustine." I waved my hand at the windshield as I navigated my dad's BMW past mansion after mansion decorated with glittering holiday lights. "People in this neighborhood go all out. In every neighborhood, really."
From the passenger seat, Rafael grinned. "It's nice. Small. I like it. Change of pace from Miami."
"You do? Really?" I wrinkled my nose as we came to a stop sign. Ever since we'd arrived yesterday, I'd wondered what he thought of my hometown. Scared it would be awkward to stay at my dad's house. Worried he'd figure out I was uninteresting and a little screwed up, then break it off.
"Aww, babe." He leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. He smelled fresh and citrusy from the new Armani cologne I'd bought him for his birthday. "You thought I wouldn't like it here because it's so small? Because it's not the city?"
"Yeah. It's not what you're used to."
"Because it's mostly white, with no Cubans, no Haitians, no South Beach, no hustle?"
"Yeah, that." I accelerated gently. We were close to the historic downtown, which is why throngs of tourists were strolling the sidewalks, taking in the holiday displays in the store windows. My hometown went all out for two things: pirate festivals and Christmas.
"Justine, I don't care if we're on the moon or the North Pole. I'm here for you. It's our first holiday together. We're on break from school, there's no Miami traffic, and we had an awesome drive up here together. I got to meet your dad for the first time and you gave me that amazing present this morning."
He squeezed my knee and laughed wickedly. Earlier this morning I'd snuck into his bed — my dad made us sleep in separate rooms, but he'd gone to work — and I'd given Rafa a book of photos. Sexy photos. Of me. It was the boldest thing I'd ever done, but since I met Rafael in October, I kept doing newer and bolder things. He was my first in every way possible.
And my only.
"It's the best winter break ever, muñeca. And we've still got," he checked his watch, "four hours until Christmas. How can it get better?"
As I drove, I spotted two things almost simultaneously. Sugar Rush, one of my favorite places in town, and a parking space a block away. I took a sharp turn toward the space and Rafa gripped the door handle. He usually drove, but tonight, I'd insisted on taking one of my dad's cars because I knew the area.
"Here's how it will get better. Frozen hot cocoa at Sugar Rush. It's a holiday tradition."
"My sweetie wants something sweet."
God, his voice. So low and sensual that it made me shiver. I brought the car to a stop in the middle of the lane. "How do you manage to sound so dirty when saying something so innocent?"
He laughed. "Justine? You sure you can parallel park? This is bigger than your little car."
"Yeah, I'm good. No problem here."
After three tries, I gave up and let Rafael take over. I gestured to the car as we switched spots. "You're used to this, having grown up in the city and all. Plus I'm spatially challenged."
"You're not challenged at all. Your mind's on cocoa. Or something else."
Like that wicked grin of his. I still couldn't believe Rafa was my boyfriend. Never did I dream that I'd meet the love of my life before I turned twenty. I was only a freshman in college, and I knew he was the man I wanted to marry. Weird, right? And yet, it felt perfect.
I stood on the sidewalk and watched him easily maneuver my dad's big sedan into the space. Rafa climbed out of the car and I slipped my arm through his.
"You looked like you belonged behind the wheel of that BMW."
He laughed softly. "Babe, someday, I'll drive a car that's worth five times that. You'll see."
By then, we were at the door of Sugar Rush, and when Rafa held it open for me, a blast of caramel-scented air came at us full force. I let out a squeal. The entire shop was done up in red and silver holiday decorations, just as it had been for every Christmas since I was a child.
"This is my favorite thing in the entire world," I said. The place was packed, and we found our way to the end of the long line. He raised one dark eyebrow.
"Okay, my second favorite."
He kissed my temple. "I'm learning new things about you every day. But isn't frozen hot cocoa just, like, a milkshake?"
I pinched his stomach. Well, pinched wasn't the right word, since he only had muscle on his midsection. So my pinch was more like a grope. "No. Silly. It's totally different."
"Can you explain the difference?" He slung his arm around my shoulder.
"Not really, but..." my voice trailed off as my eyes landed on a table in the corner. The two girls sitting there were waving frantically at me. I groaned silently. Katy and Lucy. Ugh. Not that I was trying to avoid people from high school. It's just that I'd worked hard to put my teenage years behind me.
I actually had only one close friend from high school — Diana. That was enough.
These two — Katy and Lucy — had been more like frenemies. I'd actually forgotten about their existence until this very moment. Standing here, seeing their effortlessly pretty faces, the past came rushing back. The petty bitchiness, the snide comments in gym class, the simpering pity when my mom and brother were killed in a car crash.
Gah, I hadn't wanted to dredge up any of this during Rafa's visit.
"You know those girls?" Rafa asked.
I gave them a tepid wave across the crowded room. "Yeah, we went to high school together."
As soon as I got to the University of Miami, I'd carved out a new life. A new identity, really. I was assistant editor of the school paper, improved my Spanish, and was learning about Latin American politics through various campus clubs.
And had fallen in love.
Rafa tugged on my ponytail. "Why don't you go say hi? I'll stay in line and get our milkshakes."
I turned to him, staring into his beautiful, dark eyes. Should I tell him I'd rather stay by his side? Something about being so physically close to him made me feel protected. A feeling I hadn't had in years. No, I needed to show Rafa that I was strong and social. Even though I knew we were soul mates, our relationship was pretty new. I didn't want to turn him off by being needy or clingy.
"Thanks. I'll do that. And it's frozen hot chocolate. Not a milkshake." I booped his nose with my finger.
I wound my way around at least ten packed tables until I got to where Katy and Lucy were sitting. They yelped and stood to hug me, as if they'd missed me. A little shocking, since we weren't at all close in high school. But maybe this was what people in college did during winter break — put old grudges and past annoyances aside. Holiday spirit and all that.
Cool, cool.
"How are you? Justine, you look incredible," said Lucy. She was a tall brunette, with amber eyes and porcelain skin.
"She's glowing," said Katy, who was about my height. She had a mane of curly, red hair and a face full of freckles.
"Thanks, so do you," I said. "How are things with both of you? How's University of Georgia?"
"Ahh-mazing," Katy said. "We both rushed Phi Delta and got in."
"Oh," I said. "Nice. Congratulations."
"How about you? Did you pledge at UM?"
Funny. For half of high school, I assumed I'd join a sorority once I got to college. Life had taken a different turn after the crash. Things that used to be important suddenly weren't. "No. I didn't. I'm on the school paper, though."
"Oh," they both said, their faces pinched.
"Fun," Lucy said, sounding as if she'd swallowed something sour.
"Where's Diana?" Katy asked. "You two are usually inseparable."
"Or maybe she's been replaced by someone else? She must be jealous," Lucy looked over my shoulder, probably at Rafa, and snickered.
A vague memory of Katy spreading rumors freshman year about how Diana and I were lesbians came to mind and I winced. Lucy also had the biggest crush on my brother, I recalled, but was pissed when he'd asked another girl to the prom that year. It had been a whole dramatic showdown at school, and then a week later, he was dead.
I didn't need or want any of these memories. This was an awful idea, talking to them. Maybe coming to St. Augustine was an all-around bad plan.
"Diana's at home with her folks. They're having a big family dinner," I said. "And yeah, that's my boyfriend. Rafael."
"Rafael," Lucy said in a low voice. "How... exotic."
I reared back. Did she just use the word exotic to describe my Cuban boyfriend? "What?"
"Nothing," she said brightly. "That's nice you met someone so quickly. When's the wedding?"
"What can I say? I'm lucky. He's a great guy. Makes me so happy."
"Ooh, someone's in love. Where's he from? Is he on the paper, too? Or in a frat? What's his story?" Katy asked.
"We met in class. He's from Miami." I grinned. The idea of Rafa being in a frat was hilarious. Between his classes and his two part-time jobs, he barely had time for me. Something I disliked, but understood. Rafa had ambition, something that most of the rich kids I'd grown up with lacked.
Katy's eyebrows shot up. "Well, it's obvious he's not from here. What does your dad think of him? I can't imagine that Edward Lavoie, the conservative newspaper owner, was thrilled to meet his daughter's boyfriend from Miami."
I shot her a simpering look. "My father adores him."
Okay, that wasn't true at all. In fact, Dad had been weird about Rafa ever since we'd arrived yesterday. It was as if he had a perpetual grimace on his face whenever Rafa was in the room.
But I wouldn't tell Katy that. I'd assumed it was because Dad was always moody around the holidays. Or had been since my mom and brother died.
Katy flipped her hair behind her shoulders. She'd always had the best hair, never frizzy and always perfectly straight. "Oh. Well, great. He is super hot. I'll give you that."
"Uh, thanks?" There was no denying that Rafael was beautiful. In the bright light of this candy shop, his tall frame, his bronze skin, and glossy black hair stood out. I secretly thought he looked like a model in his leather jacket, white T-shirt, jeans and black Converse.
"I would have never guessed you'd end up with someone like him," Katy mused.
"What do you mean?" I needed to flee this conversation. The shop's caramel-scented air suddenly seemed stifling and saccharine, and the place felt claustrophobic with conversation and bodies.
She shrugged. "I just pictured you with someone more, I don't know. Preppy. Traditional. You never seemed to be a risk-taker in high school. And that man looks like he's all risk."
"And all reward," Lucy chimed in. Both cracked up.
Bitches. "Whatever," I muttered. Relief flooded my body as Rafa came toward me.
"Hey, babe. I have your frozen hot cocoa milkshake. I think it's the sweetest thing I've ever tasted." He leaned in and kissed my cheek, his lips brushing my ear. "Except you."
"Thanks. Meet Lucy and Katy. Guys, this is Rafael, my boyfriend." I took the cup from him, blushing at his words, and sucked in a long sip. It was shockingly sweet. Had it always tasted like this? I sipped again and watched the two size up Rafa.
He shot them that dazzling smile of his. Lucy's cheeks turned a little pink as they shook hands.
"So, Rafael," Katy said in an exaggerated southern accent, "Where are you from?"
"Miami," he replied.
"No, where are you really from?"
I felt my face get hot. "You know, that's a rude question. It implies that he's not American and that he doesn't belong here."
"I'm from Cuba." Rafael's expression had turned into a half-smirk.
"Oh," Katy said, grinning. "Interesting."
"Well, nice seeing y'all," I said, edging closer to Rafa and giving his side a little push. "We're going to get going. Have to get ready for midnight mass."
"Merry Christmas," they said in fake, high-pitched voices.
"Feliz Navidad," Rafa replied, and we walked out.
Neither of us said anything as we made our way to the car. I was turning over a hundred questions in my mind. Mostly about whether Rafa would ever fit in with my life here in St. Augustine. Or whether my dad approved of him. Despite everything, I adored it here. And my dad? He was the only family I had left.
I sipped my cocoa, but it didn't taste as delicious as it had in past years.
"You have the keys. Want to drive?" I asked.
"Sure."
We climbed in and drove off. In a quiet voice, I directed Rafa to my house. We passed homes with elaborate Christmas light displays, and once we got on my street, almost seemed like daylight it was so bright from the twinkling, glowing displays.
We parked in front of my house. I watched as Rafa's gaze went from my house, to the next-door neighbor's with the giant inflatable candy cane and animatronic Santa. Then his head turned to look across the street, where Mr. and Mrs. Kendall had perched a life-sized sled and reindeer on the roof.
"Why is your house the only one without decorations? Without lights?" Rafa asked. "I didn't notice until just now."
"My dad, well, we, haven't decorated since my mom and brother died. We used to. Every year. We still have boxes and boxes of decorations in the attic." A lump settled in my throat. Crap, I didn't want to get emotional tonight about this. Or about anything. The conversation with Lucy and Katy had left me a little raw, about everything.
Rafa killed the ignition and unclasped his seat belt, turning to face me. "Yeah. That makes sense. Is that also why there isn't a Christmas tree in your house?"
A fat tear rolled down my cheek. "Yeah. That's why. My mom used to put up so many decorations. Two fake trees. But pretty." I set my cocoa near his in the middle console and sniffled. "I'm sorry."
He frowned. "About what? How much sugar is in these milkshakes?"
That made me laugh through my tears and I wiped my face with my sweater sleeve. "No. About Lucy and Katy and how they asked where you were from. And about my dad. And how lame everything is here."
"Babe. It's obvious I'm different here. You don't need to fight my battles. And it's not weird. It's just... life. I'm Cuban. You're not. Stop apologizing."
"This is turning out to be a weird Christmas Eve. I'm sorry. I should have known, since every holiday's been weird here since my mom and brother died. Maybe we should have stayed in Miami."
"You and your dad went through hell. It's understandable. And forget about those two from high school. It's meaningless." He made a pfft sound. Nothing ruffled him. Ever. It was a trait I admired.
"All the awkwardness and bad feelings came back when I saw them tonight. I hated how they acted. How bitchy and stuck up and racist they were. People aren't like this in Miami."
"No. Because everyone's Cuban in Miami. I'm the norm there. But Miami has its own problems." He reached over and swept a lock of hair out of my face. "And I can't control people. I can't control their words and neither can you. That question tonight, their words, their tone, those things don't have power over me. Or you."
I reached for his hand.
"Justine, I'm proud of who I am and where I came from. And yeah, I know your dad's uncomfortable with me. I'm a guy. I'm not stupid. You're his little girl. But it'll pass. He'll see that I only want the best for you. He'll eventually know how much I love you. How I'm going to take care of you. He'll come around."
"I hope so." I blinked back tears. Had I screwed everything up this holiday?
"Oh, babe." He stroked my hair. "There's nothing to worry about. It's Christmas. We're together. That's the important part. I love you. This is the first of so many Christmases. Just think, someday we'll have our own house with our own tree and our own decorations. We'll have kids running around, trying to open the presents."
He sounded so excited that I laughed despite my tear-filled eyes. "How many kids do you want?"
"Hmm. Dunno. As many as you want. Not for a while, though, 'kay?"
I grabbed his hand and kissed his palm. "Not for a long while. I love you."
"I love you too. I've got an idea," he said. "Actually, two."
"Oh yeah?"
"One. You can drink my milkshake. That shit's so gross. I'm sorry, babe. I think I'd like it better with some whiskey in it." He wiped my tear-streaked cheek with his thumb.
I giggled. "I think you might be right. Maybe they changed the recipe, or maybe my tastes have changed, but it seems too much, doesn't it? I think my dad has some whiskey in the liquor cabinet. What's your other idea?"
He touched the end of my nose with his finger. "What if we put up some decorations tonight? Would that cheer you up? Maybe a tree or a wreath or something? Maybe it's time to make some new Christmas memories."
I leaned to kiss him, my heart squeezing from pure love. My Christmas wish was coming true.
"Yeah," I whispered. "I think we should do that."
Tamara Lush writes sexy books for sharp women. Read more from Tamara here .