One Night at Christmas

By Tressie Lockwood

Bryson Scott and Charon Cooper are best friends who have never met—in person. Every morning, Charon starts her day with a video chat with Bryson. They cook breakfast together, talk about everything, and then go about their separate lives. Two people couldn't be more different.

Bryson dreams of power, position, and money. He will stop at nothing to get it, including marrying the right woman. Charon just wants a quiet and stress-free life. She's happy working in a pizza restaurant while improving her art.

When Bryson tells Charon he's drawing up a contract to get married, Charon knows it's time to let go of the man she's come to love. She won't keep being his friend if he's unavailable. Bryson doesn't like it, but neither of them is willing to give up on their dreams.

So Bryson makes a proposal. One night at Christmas, they spend it together in person, making love. Then they say good-bye forever. The night is everything Charon could imagine. Big, sexy Bryson burns Charon up in the bedroom. But the fallout, beginning the next morning, is not according to plan.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tressie Lockwood
• Release date: Dec 24, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386700159

Book preview

Chapter One

Bryson peered into the screen and flashed that amazing smile that always had Charon’s belly fluttering. He was so beautiful and sexy and a million other adjectives that described physical perfection. What are we having for breakfast today?

Charon pretended his smile didn’t set her knees quivering. She leaned on her kitchen counter and straightened the tablet she used to connect with Bryson. Whatever you want, but usually you ask for eggs and bacon.

I know, but today my sweet tooth is acting up. I felt it when I woke up. I’m thinking Charlie’s Restaurant for lunch.

The cheesecake?

Mm, yeah.

She laughed. What do you have it like once every other month? You’re like clockwork. I don’t get you. If I don’t have my daily chocolate, I’m liable to kill someone. In fact, I wonder if something in the chocolate itself doesn’t calm the beast.

You don’t look like a beast.

She rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. Don’t you start, mister. If you get to flirting with me, you’re going to be late going into the office, and I’m going to skip working on my art before my afternoon shift.

His voice dropped an octave. Come on, Char. You know you want it.

Stupid. She cracked up, a ploy because when he talked like that, it got her wet. He probably knew what he did to her. Bryson looked good enough to have had a hundred women in his bed. She didn’t know if that was true because he didn’t brag about it. Maybe he left that information for his male friends. The two of them, they talked about everything else, including the direction they chose for their lives.

Char.

She left the tablet where it was and hurried to the refrigerator to gather a few ingredients. Would you stop calling me Char? Jeez, you white people shorten everything.

You say that because I’m white.

She snorted. Bryson was never offended when she pulled race on him. Normally, he just shot it back, teasing her to no end. She loved it. They were free and easy with each other, although she couldn’t imagine why. No two people could be more different.

That’s right, so get it straight, she told him. How would you like it if I called you Bry?

My great aunt twice removed calls me that.

Liar.

If I had one.

Uh-huh. She set a carton of eggs on the counter. Okay, I’ll make raspberry goat cheese crepes. How’s that sound?

Delicious.

She watched for a moment as he carried his laptop into his own kitchen and pulled the ingredients from it that she called off to him. This was their ritual every morning. Bryson would make a request for a particular breakfast, and she would cook it at her place while instructing him on how to prepare the food on his end. Over the last year or so, Bryson had learned to cook decently. At least it seemed so from the looks of the food and his moans of pleasure when he ate it.

They both cracked eggs into a bowl. She handled hers with one hand and watched his strong hands fumble just a tiny bit. Bryson was big at six foot five inches. Not only was he tall, but his broad shoulders and massive chest could intimidate anyone. He told her he played football in college, and she imagined the other players must have cowered in fear when he came charging down the field.

That’s going to turn out even better than last time. She watched his progress and approved.

I’d rather eat yours.

She flushed. The innocent statement gave her ideas, which she dismissed. When you invent the teleportation device that can send food five hundred miles, we’ll try each other’s dishes.

We’re not so far apart, you know. There are modern conveniences such as the airplane, the car…

She said nothing, concentrating on fixing breakfast. They had the conversation many times before. During some of them, she suggested they meet in real life. In other conversations, he suggested it. They never followed through despite speaking with each other every day and many nights for a little over two years.

Then there’s the problem that I love him.

I was only teasing, Charon. His voice was low, but he wasn’t attempting to sound sexy.

Her heart beat faster, and her breaths came out noisy and erratic. She worked on calming down.

I’m sorry, he said softly.

She licked her lips, head lowered.

I don’t know why I’m apologizing, he went on. I keep thinking about it. I want to see you. We said we wouldn’t.

It might ruin everything.

How? he demanded, and she looked at the screen. His blue eyes flashed slight anger. She couldn’t love him more just staring into his handsome face. Maybe it was about his looks, and that’s why she felt she loved him. Maybe she was vain.

The thought almost made her laugh, and her emotions calmed somewhat. Okay, I’ll remind you since you seem to have forgotten.

He folded his arms over his chest. The crisp white shirt he wore pulled at his bicep. His routine was to put on his suit jacket only when he was ready to walk out the door. She was glad he hadn’t put it on. He gave her a nice view she often kept in mind as she went to work at the pizza restaurant.

You have your whole life planned out. Ever since you can remember, you’ve wanted one thing—to be rich. And you’re doing all you can to get there. Including marrying a rich and powerful wife. Or did you forget her too? Your fiancée?

I’m not engaged yet.

But you might as well be.

But not yet, he insisted. The negotiations haven’t been settled, and I haven’t officially asked. She and I both know it depends on how things turn out with the Wolman deal.

Charon frowned in disgust. See what I’m saying? You don’t even like Gretchen from the way I’ve heard you talk about her. The two of you haven’t dated, unless you count working dinners. It’s all about the money and connections. I’m not like that. Nor can I ever be like that. Money means nothing to me. All I want—

Is love.

She glared at him.

Oh sorry. I thought that was what you were going to say.

You did not.

His expression softened. I know. You want an ordinary boring life.

Ordinary. Not boring. Why do I talk to you again?

Boring life?

Bye, Bryson.

Wait! He held up his hands. I apologize. I’ll behave. Don’t go. The best part of my day is talking to you.

The butterflies came back. She looked away from the screen. Don’t talk like that. Anyway, as I was saying, you want one thing. I want another. Meeting in real life would complicate the works.

Alright, forget I suggested it. What about you? Is he still around?

She didn’t want to answer. Bryson knew all about her boyfriend Morris, the guy who came closer to being a match for her in terms of goals but who she didn’t love. Morris had actually asked her to marry him six months ago. She turned him down.

Since the proposal she and Morris were on again, off again. Last week, he broke it off, pissed because she wouldn’t commit to him. She hadn’t heard anything since, but she was pretty sure he would call soon. The question was, would she go back to him. Christmas was the day after tomorrow. They had spent the last two Christmases together, and if he didn’t call she would spend this one alone, having no family.

If by he you mean Morris, then …yes. She only hesitated a little. When she realized she loved Bryson, she started keeping her real feelings about him and about Morris to herself. Bryson believed she cared more about her boyfriend than she actually did. It was her way of protecting herself.

So you got back together? You said last week you were taking a break.

Crap!

She forgot she had blurted it out. Bryson knew they had issues, but so did every couple. Although he didn’t seem to like Morris, he had always encouraged her that everything would be fine. He tossed out compliments as easily as breathing. He’d say as beautiful as she was, her ex-boyfriend would be a fool to blow the relationship.

She refused to admit the problem was her more than Morris. Not that Morris was perfect. Hell, if he were, she wouldn’t find so much pleasure in her friendship with Bryson. Besides she and Bryson were friends long before she met Morris. How could she give Bryson up when one of them got married? It seemed impossible, but she had vowed she wouldn’t keep pining after a man when one of them tied the knot. Her value system didn’t allow for it.

And yet you haven’t told Morris about Bryson.

Bryson, have you told Gretchen about me?

No.

Why not?

He held up a bite of crepe, and she held up hers. They toasted each other with the food and ate together.

Mm, good. You’re a great cook.

She scoffed. You made that.

But I’m imagining it was you.

"I don’t

Reviews for One Night at Christmas

[Rochelle Hyde · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good book. I'm glad they wound up together in the end.

[Rebekah Roberts · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I wept when this was over, wanted more of their story at the end