Page 65 of Under the Mistletoe

“Lunch is here,” Aunt Vivian hollers as she walks into the shop, making my stomach rumble.

“Not a moment too soon by the sounds of your stomach?” Donovan teases me, and Uncle Bob huffs a laugh.

While I’ve been here all morning, Donovan stopped by so that we could both talk to my aunt and uncle a little more about our upcoming trip to Milan and the increase in media presence.

“Are these the famous Rueben sandwiches?” Donovan asks my aunt as we move to the small kitchen. The shop is quiet today. The weeks after Thanksgiving are usually quieter, so that’s when we do most of the cleaning and inventory while we have a chance.

“The one and only. I hope that sandwich shop never closes.” Uncle Bob takes a big bite, and I laugh.

“Looks like I’m not the only hungry one,” I murmur, before doing the same.

“So Milan?” my aunt cuts right to it.

“We’ll be leaving on Monday and will be there for the week. My jet will take us straight to Milan. I have our itinerary here for you, just in case you want to know where Jessica is at any time. I put down my cell and office numbers, and you can call either whenever you’d like.”

I watch in silence as Donovan hands over a file containing emergency phone numbers, our hotel details, and also our day-to-day schedule.

“Oh, great.” My aunt is surprised, but pleasantly so, and the way Uncle Bobby is grinning, I’d say he approves as well.

“Are the media still a problem here?” Donovan asks my uncle.

“They seem to stick to the other side of the road, so they aren’t intrusive. But they’re here.”

“It’s okay. We’re okay,” Aunt Vivian confirms.

I frown, worried. “You tell us if you're not. I don’t want you to have any issues here or at home.”

“I can get you some security?” Donovan offers, and my heart melts more for this man.

“Kiddo, so far, my sales this past week have been bigger than expected, and I think that’s because of the increase in attention. So I’m not complaining. I just worry about you.” He looks at me pointedly.

“I promise I’m taking good care of her,” Donovan pipes up.

“I can tell.” Uncle Bobby nods, just as the jingle of the shop door sounds.

“I’ll go.” I stand up straightaway, wanting Donovan and my family to keep chatting. It’s nice to see them bonding over the special Saturday lunch we do.

As I step around the corner, only two steps into the store, I balk.

“Hey, Jay Jay.”

“Hi, Jimmy.” I sigh, wondering how this is going to go today. I haven’t seen him in a few weeks. I thought perhaps he was sick of visiting.

“Thought I would drop by. Mr. Zimmi has that lunch special today?”

“Oh, sorry, Jimmy…” I start to say, then feel a warm hand on my back and look up, seeing Donovan by my side.

“Donovan…”

“You alright out here?” Donovan looks over Jimmy before giving me a warm smile.

“Sure, this is my friend, Jimmy. Jimmy, this is Donovan.” I make the introductions, and Donovan takes a step forward, offering his hand.

“Pleasure to meet you,” Donovan offers, and Jimmy looks a mixture of heartbroken, mad, and surprised. But he takes Donovan’s hand anyway.

“Nice to meet you. A friend of Jay Jay’s is always a friend of mine,” Jimmy says, almost cryptically.

“Jessica tells me you work as a lawyer in the city? Which law firm?” Donovan’s making conversation, but Jimmy’s smile seems forced.