Page 25 of She’s a Big Deal

Olivia liked Reece from the first moment she laid eyes on him at Charlie’s house, and he gave her a friendly handshake.

“Ms. Bianchi. Nice to meet you. Merry Christmas.”

“And to you as well. It’s a pleasure. Call me Olivia.”

“Sure, Olivia. I know who you are,” he added pleasantly. “I like your work. Cool website too.”

“Thanks.” She grinned. “Did Grace ask you to mention the website?”

He looked amused. “No. Why?”

“She was appalled by my old one. Told me it was crap and offered to help redesign it. Needless to say, I was a bit offended at that unsolicited negative comment.”

“I can understand that.”

“Yes. I told her I didn’t care for her opinion, and that I was perfectly fine with my ‘crap’ home-made site. So, she got one of her people to create a brand-new version of it and send it to me for approval. Made me swallow my own words in shame. And gratitude.”

“Sounds like Grace,” he chuckled, then turned to his aunt. “Hey, Charlie. Want me to walk the dog before we leave?”

“You’re a darling. Yes, please, if you don’t mind.”

“No problem. We’ll be back in ten minutes.”

“That boy has been night and day since he talked to Grace,” Charlie commented after he went out. And she sounded slightly bemused.

“How come?” Olivia prompted.

“Well. First of all, these horrid accusations against him were dropped, so that’s a big weight off his shoulders.”

“Oh, that’s brilliant news.”

“Yes. Grace hired a wizard of a lawyer who got everyone to sit down and talk.” Charlie winked. “Fancy that, eh? Talking it out like reasonable human beings!”

“Awesome.”

“Reece had the opportunity to apologize, which is very fair to him. The women involved deserved to hear it from his own mouth, as well. Grace also got him to talk to someone about his drinking, and she invited him to Miami. It’ll be great for him to get away for a while and meet new people. The boy needs to find himself!”

Olivia smiled at the way she kept referring to him as ‘the boy’, since Reece was a full-grown man well into his thirties. But she understood.

“I’m glad everything is being resolved,” she approved.

“Even better, I am delighted to see him and Grace finally on good terms again. These two always used to be so tight! I think it broke her heart when Reece chose to align himself with Jeremy.” Charlie eyed her with a touch of caution. Hopefully. “Olivia. Did she explain to you…”

She let her voice trail off, prompting Olivia to nod.

“Yes. I know what happened to her and her girlfriend that Christmas Eve. And the way her parents reacted to finding out she was in love with a woman. ”

“She told you.”

“Yes, she did.”

Charlie’s eyes shone in relief and pure joy. She clasped her hand in hers and flashed a beaming smile. “I thought she might… I was so hoping she would! It occurred to me that she must have when she said she’d invited you for Christmas, but…”

“Don’t cry, Charlie,” Olivia said gently.

“It’s happiness, darling. You and my Grace… Yes?”

“Yes. We’ve grown close. Intimate.”

“I am so grateful.” Charlie hugged her. “So grateful!”

“Where is she, then?” Olivia inquired as she looked around the room. “Running late?”

“No, she’s here. Come.” In the kitchen, Charlie pointed out the window. “She’s outside making business calls.”

No coat, Olivia noted. Standing in snow up to her ankles in lace-up boots, tailored black jeans, and a fitted burgundy blazer. From her body language and energy, it wasn’t hard to guess that her lover must be laying down the law for whoever was on the line.

“Business calls on Christmas morning?”

“Go figure,” Charlie shook her head. “And gallons of black coffee.”

Olivia smiled fondly. Typical, she thought again. Her heart performed a nice little flip as she observed her. Grace had got in late the previous night. Or early morning, actually. They had not seen each other since Florida.

“I think she must be a little nervous about today,” Charlie said softly. “Does a great job of pretending, but she can’t hide it from me.”

“How long has it been since she saw her father? ”

“Going on ten years now.”

“Gosh…”

“She’s doing this for me, you know? Though it turned out to be only due to stress and easily improved in the future, I was still shaken by my recent heart issue. Grace’s father, my brother John, also recently came out the other side of a tough round of cancer treatment.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know he was sick.”

“He’s doing much better now, thank you, darling. But I told Grace neither of us is getting any younger. And how I missed spending Christmas together as a family. She went away in that quiet way she has and didn’t mention it again. I had no idea she was working on a reunion behind the scenes. This is the best present I could ask for, and even better because you are a part of it.”

“Thanks, Charlie. It means a lot to me as well.”

“I’m so glad.”

“It seems reconciliation is in the air for the family now,” Olivia added.

“True. I think Chloe is as relieved as I am, to be honest. I’m sure you will like her when you meet her. Her husband, Mark, is lovely as well.”

“What about Jeremy?”

“Ah… He’s a chip off the old block. He is extremely ambitious and determined to rule over his siblings. Too competitive for his own good.”

“And a homophobe, I take it?”

“Unfortunately, that is true as well.”

“Do you think he’ll be confrontational with Grace today?”

“I’m sure he’ll be sorely tempted. But he will tone it down, seeing as his father gave the green light for us all to be together. The rest of us will make up for his poor attitude if he shows one, won’t we?”

“Hundred percent, yes.”

Both women turned when the back door flew open to allow a brutal blast of icy air in and a woman who sounded revved-up in the extreme.

“I cannot believe the nerve of this—” Grace stopped mid-sentence as her eyes fell on her. Emotion flared and flickered all across her face. “Olivia.”

Charlie discreetly left the room.

“Hello there, Ms. Michaels.” Olivia nodded with a soft grin. “Who have you been raking over the coals on this fine Christmas morning?”

“A British architect who failed to understand that I enforce my deadlines.”

“Poor guy.”

“Nope. He deserved a good roasting over the fire. Lucky for him it’s Christmas, so I let him keep his job. Anyway...” Grace smiled as she pocketed her phone, stepped up to her, and took her face in both her hands. “Hello back.”

Her kiss was warm and infinitely gentle, drawing Olivia in and making her sigh. She sank against her, leaned in with both hands pressed flat over her chest, loving the feel and presence of her. She kissed her in return, slow and easy. Grace murmured in approval, then laced her arms around her waist and rested her forehead lightly against hers.

“Merry Christmas, Ms. Bianchi.”

“I wish you the best one ever, Grace.” Olivia held her back when she started to pull away. “How are you feeling? Tell me.”

Her lover shrugged, as expected, but she remained. “Ready. It’s going to be okay. ”

“I think it’ll be lovely.”

“Yeah. Just remember not to take it personally.”

“Take what personally?” Olivia prompted.

“Anything any of the bunch might throw at you.” Grace’s upper lip curled with a hint of hidden temper. “I don’t think my father will start anything, or he’d have told me straight to stay away. But you never know with Jeremy. No matter what…” She cupped her chin and brushed her lips gently over hers. “I’ll be there with you.”

“Yes. And I’m not worried. I can handle my own.”

“I know.” On that, Grace straightened up. Back to brisk and businesslike, she pushed a little black box into her hand. “This is for you.”

“For me?”

Olivia stared at her in genuine surprise and she noticed her eyes soften. Grace looked like she was trying not to smile, and about to fail.

“It is Christmas after all,” she added.

Olivia melted. “You got me a present!”

“I did indeed.”

“Can I open it now?”

“Sure, you can.”

As she opened the box, Olivia bit her bottom lip in awe and wonder. Oh, Jesus!

“Grace.”

“Art is life, and you create with wood.” Grace nodded, her crystal-blue eyes sparkling beautifully. “So I thought a little Tree of Life might be a meaningful symbol for you.”

“It’s solid gold!”

“Yes, it is.”

And heavy in her hand too... On a solid gold chain. Olivia stared at the necklace as Grace eyed her quizzically. “Well. Do you like it?”

“I love it. It’s beautiful… And so intricately carved! Grace, I think it’s exquisite.”

“I had it made for you in Chicago.”

“It’s bespoke?”

“Hmm-mm. May I?”

Olivia nodded as Grace took the necklace from her with a smile and stood at her side to pass it around her neck. Part of her wanted to say it was too much… It was too expensive, and she did not deserve it. This sort of weight in gold must have cost Grace a small fortune! Olivia also suspected that a small fortune to her, even though she made a good living from her work, must be a drop in the ocean for her lover. Grace probably would not like to hear Olivia call herself unworthy of such a gift. And bickering about money would take away from the richness and connection of the moment. Not to mention being unattractive. She touched the necklace and glanced down to look at it.

“I love it,” she repeated. “And the symbol, too. It’s perfect.”

“Gold brings out the sparkle in your dark eyes,” Grace told her. “And it looks good on your skin.” She traced a light knuckle along the line of her jaw and flashed her a wink and a teasing smirk. “I chose well, didn’t I?”

Olivia burst out laughing and threw both arms around her neck.

“Incredibly well. Thank you! My present to you is going to feel quite insignificant compared to yours.”

“I don’t think anything that comes from you ever could,” Grace murmured.

Olivia watched her tear through the wrapping paper with obvious enthusiasm, and pull out a pair of sturdy winter gloves. There was also a red ski cap with a white pom-pom shaped like a snowflake attached to it.

“Hmm,” Grace said with a raised eyebrow at the swinging flake.

“I am fully aware it’s not your style,” Olivia chuckled. “But I see you constantly walking around without a hat or gloves, and that’s asking for trouble in this weather. Also, you’ll look cute with the hat on.”

“You think so?”

When Grace pulled it on over her blond hair, Olivia had to revise her opinion. The headgear took nothing away from her aura of authority and power. But a light tease about that was better than admitting the mushy truth of it. Olivia wanted to keep her safe and warm and look after her in all the little ways that mattered.

“Well,” she considered. “Maybe not cute as such, but it does add a touch of quirk to your kickass vibe.”

Grace gave her the kind of smile that cut right through her heart. And with a quick glance at the door to make sure they were still alone, she dropped her purposeful attitude.

“I never think of stuff like that, you know?”

“Well, you live in Miami, so…”

“No, no. I mean sensible accessories to make my life easier.”

“You learned to tough it out.”

“Maybe.” Her gaze turned pensive and then she shrugged. “Yeah, probably. Your gift is sweet and thoughtful. I understand and appreciate the intention behind it. Thank you, darling.”

“Grace?”

“Yes?”

“Will you please kiss me like you mean it?”

Now Grace flashed a roguish grin, swung the pomp-pom to the back of the ski cap, and proceeded as requested to lay a deep, slow, hot kiss over her mouth. Olivia was pretty sure her cheeks must be blazing red when they walked into the lounge, though Charlie focused on her niece.

“Oh, look!” she exclaimed in delight. “How sweet, my little Christmas elf!”

Grace grunted. Reece, back from walking the dog, laughed. And Charlie pulled them all into a group hug.

“I am so happy,” she declared. “So happy!”

“Good,” Grace approved. “Now let’s go slay that Christmas lunch. I’m starving.”