Holiday Home Run - Priscilla Oliveras Page 0,14
that led into the foyer with the penthouse’s private elevator doors.
The same doors Julia would enter through once she arrived.
That’s the main reason he was still here, other than his manners reminding him of the rudeness of leaving so soon after dinner.
He’d thought about going to Miami for the weekend. Touching base with his parents, spending time with Octavio’s family. Then Laura had issued her invite and mentioned the Fernandez sisters and Julia should be here.
The idea of spending more time with Julia and meeting the cousins she spoke about with love and laughter in her voice had him bagging his travel plans to stay in town.
Through the thick glass windows he spotted the housekeeper striding into the living room, heading toward the foyer. He couldn’t see the gilded metal elevator doors, but he hoped the older woman was on her way to greet . . . his thought trailed off as Julia came into view.
She and another petite, dark-haired woman with a similar athletic build and golden tan skin strolled around the corner, stopping under the archway.
He watched as Julia unbuttoned her cream winter jacket, slipping it off her shoulders to reveal a dark green sweater over a black pencil skirt and black knee-high boots. His pulse sparked as she brushed her fingers through the length of her black, satiny hair. It was a habit of hers he’d noticed over the past couple of weeks.
A habit that made him want to run his own fingers through her tresses and feel the silky strands. Among other parts of her.
The housekeeper took Julia’s jacket from her and, while Ben couldn’t read Julia’s lips as she said something, he caught her gentle smile of thanks.
The other young woman, probably Lilí, followed suit before the two cousins began making their way across the mottled white and cream tiled floor. They strode past the ornate antique hutches displaying priceless vases and sculptures, on their way toward the sliding glass doors leading to the expansive terrace. And while others may have been drawn to the beautiful decorations and touches in the Taylors’ artfully designed home, Ben only had eyes for Julia.
He rose from his seat, anxious to be with her again.
The past three Tuesdays hadn’t been enough. Not for him.
Laura Taylor excused herself from a small group standing near the outdoor bar off to the right and she and Ben reached the doors at the same time as Julia and her cousin.
Politeness had him holding back, allowing the hostess to greet her guests. Warm hugs were exchanged, then Laura held out her arm, welcoming him into their close-knit circle.
“Lilí, I’m sure you know who this is, as I’m aware of your baseball knowledge. But Ben, I’d like you to meet the youngest of the Fernandez sisters, Lilí. She’s a victim’s advocate at a clinic that serves the Humboldt Park area.”
He extended his hand to shake, but Lilí leaned in for a hug as was customary in her Latino culture.
“Hugging’s in my DNA,” she said with a laugh. “But even if it wasn’t, I’m giving myself this one chance to fan-girl over you. Then I promise to be on my best behavior.”
Ben chuckled at her cheeky grin. It turned into a full out laugh when Julia rolled her eyes and murmured an “Ay Dios mío.”
“What would you two like to drink?” Laura asked.
Julia declined, so Laura and Lilí headed toward the bar together. As they moved away, Julia turned toward him, that easy smile of hers curving her lips.
“Happy Thanksgiving,” she said.
Stepping closer, she lightly grasped his upper arms and rose up on her toes to press her cheek against his in the not-quite-a-kiss gesture she’d greeted him with the other day. Instinctively he placed a hand on her waist, taking in a deep breath sweetened by her floral scent. The urge to wrap her in his arms, give her the kind of hello kiss that would knock her stiletto boots off, pounded in his veins.
But she’d given him no clear sign that she was interested in moving their relationship out of the friend zone into something more. Until he was sure, he’d play it casual. All while upping his game, determined to woo her.
“It’s good to see you again,” he said, pleased when she didn’t move away after their brief hug. Instead she stayed close, keeping their conversation intimate. “When I heard you were having a family dinner in Oakton, I wasn’t sure if you’d make it.”
“Lilí and I skipped dessert. Though I may or