First Class Kiss (DKAG Christmas Daddies Season Two)

Chapter 1

Bram

Being in the friend zone sucks.

I can’t say it’s not my own fault. It’s just that I thought it would disappear as time went on.

I mean, how oblivious does one have to be to miss the fact that your best friend is in love with you? In Edward’s case, it’s pretty much a guarantee.

Now, before anyone gets the wrong idea, let me explain.

Edward and I met years ago by happenstance through an online server talking about kink. It was basically like Reddit but less chaotic. We found out we had a lot in common and started a friendship.

The connection expanded past the server. Soon we were texting one another daily, sending each other memes and GIFs we thought the other would like. It all felt like it was going perfectly until we discussed meeting up in real life.

You see, it just so happened we lived in the same city. I don’t know how we’d managed to leave our location details out of our discussions for so long, but by the time it came up, I felt it was a no-brainer for us to get together and date.

Edward didn’t feel the same.

He quickly put me in the “best friend box” as my sister calls it. It’s where I’m the friend but never the lover. I’m the person he can depend on to be there, though I’m never given the chance to be anything more than backup.

I hate it.

Fuck, do I hate it.

But the alternative is not having him in my life. And really, that’s not any better.

“What are your plans for Christmas, Mr. Laurier?” Genie, my assistant, asks from her position across my desk.

I shake my head, dispelling thoughts of the man I can’t have to focus on the work before me. Things are always busy leading up to the holidays. It’s a never-ending barrage of emails, texts, and last-minute meetings.

If you’ve been in the business world long enough, you know there’s a dead zone of time between Christmas and New Year’s that makes the week before the holiday hell. It’s like everything needs to get done ASAP to prevent it coming up during that time when we’re all avoiding work.

Normally I wouldn’t mind. This year, things are different.

The truth of the matter is that things haven’t been the same since the summer. Meeting Foster and Duval changed my perspective on life. Their relationship is what I’ve wanted for a long time. It’s just not been in the cards for me.

Sometimes I wonder if things would be different if I’d have been more bold when I first met Edward. Maybe I could have convinced him if I hadn’t waited so long.

“Sir?”

Genie’s voice reminds me again that I’m not alone.

“Sorry, Gen. What were you saying?”

She gives me a soft smile. “I was asking if you have any holiday plans. I know we’ll be closed for a couple of weeks. Were you going to take another trip? I’d be happy to book something for you.”

“No need,” I tell her. “It’s already been handled. I’m heading up to the mountains for a few days to get some space from the city.”

Her eyes go wide. “Oh, that sounds lovely. I hope you and Mr. Edward have a good time.”

“No Edward this time. I’m going to do some soul searching alone.”

The wrinkle between her brows has me wondering if she’s holding back her thoughts.

Genie has been with me a long time. She got the job as my assistant straight out of college, and though I’ve offered to promote her through the years, she says she doesn’t want to go anywhere.

I think it’s more that she likes the control she gets planning things in my personal and professional life more than she would being a department head.

“Does Mr. Edward know this? I’m afraid the last time he was here, he said some things that alluded to you two being on holiday together.” She wrings her hands together.

I slip off my reading glasses to massage the bridge of my nose. “Well that’s rather unfortunate. I’ll have to break the news to him today, then. My flight leaves in the morning, and I don’t want him blindsided. Thank you for letting me know, Gen. Do you have plans for the holiday?”

“Yes, sir. My family has a big week-long celebration we do each year. I think I’ve mentioned it before.”

“You have. I apologize for forgetting.”

She laughs. “No need. You’re a busy man. If you could remember everything, I’d be even more impressed by you.”

“Well that’s good to know,” I reply with a gentle smile. “I hope you have a good time. Be sure to take lots of photos. I’ll want a report when you come back.”

“Yes, sir.” She spins on her heels, mimicking a soldier as she heads to the door. It’s only once she’s there that she turns back to me. “I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and may all your wishes come true.”

I’m not sure why, but that simple blessing has me choking up. She can’t possibly know that the one thing I want for Christmas is something I can’t really have.

How can I when he doesn’t want me back?

Telling Edward I’m going on vacation without him should be easy. If he were anyone else, I’d call him and just say the words.

But it’s not so straightforward.

When I finish up for the day, I text him to ask if he’s free to chat. Since his schedule changes day to day, I never know what he’s got going on or where he’ll be.

Instead of answering, he calls me. “Bram!” he shouts when I answer.

“Yes, Edward?”

“I was just thinking of you. Where are you? Let’s do dinner. My treat this time.”

I’m shaking my head before he finishes the thought. He’s never had to pay for a meal while in my company, and he never will if I have a say.

While his work does bring in a good amount of income, I don’t like the idea of him taking care of things. Especially not when I have globs of money thanks to the family business.

The Lauriers are old school rich. I’ve got at least four generations’ worth of wealth in my accounts and assets. The fact that I still work is merely because I’d be bored otherwise.

“You know I’m not going to go along with that, however, dinner sounds nice. I’m just leaving the office. What sounds good to you?”

“Sushi? Or maybe Italian? I’m not really sure. I just don’t want a burger and fries again.”

I sigh. “Have you not been eating right all week? Is work that busy?”

“It’s not that. I’ve been trying to get ahead on some articles before the break. I’d love to have everything scheduled to go since I don’t want to be strapped to my phone. You know what I mean?”

“Yeah, I get it. Let’s do sushi, then. I’ll come by to grab you, then we can go.”

“Ok, good. I’m at home. I know you made the assumption, but I just needed to clarify,” he says in a teasing tone.

I smile at that, nodding to my driver as he opens my door. Covering the receiver, I tell him, “To Edward’s house, please.”

“Yes, Mr. Laurier.”

“Ohhhhh. You and your fancy driver.”

“Don’t be mean. I’d have driven myself, but I’ve been backed up with work. Every second counts before the end of the year. You know that.”

He whines softly. “Yeah, I do. Sorry for being a butthead. Forgive me?”

“There’s nothing to forgive. Be dressed and ready. Traffic looks light.”

I hear him stumble around on the line as he rushes to get dressed. It brings a smile to my face. Even though I know he means it in a friendly way, it’s nice to know I’m important enough for him to rush for. I like thinking I mean something to him.

It’s my delusional lizard brain.

Fifteen minutes later, we’re pulling up in front of his building.

While it doesn’t get very cold here in Bellport, there’s enough of a chill to need a jacket, and when I see he’s not wearing one, I curse.

The minute he slides onto the seat beside me, I’m slipping off my coat to cover him.

The sweater I have on beneath is enough since I tend to run hot anyway.

It’s him I have to worry about.

That’s probably why I subconsciously grabbed a jacket this morning when I didn’t really need one. I always have to be prepared on the off chance I need to provide something for Edward.

“Where is your jacket? Why were you standing outside?”

“Geeesh, Dad. I was just trying to be on time like you asked. And I couldn’t find my jacket. I think I left it at your place.”

He doesn’t notice how I tense at the teasing use of Dad. It’s so close to Daddy, yet it’s not close enough.

And I know for a fact he didn’t leave without his jacket. I would never allow such a thing.

“Take us to the Sushi House on 5th and Main,” I say as I fuss over the man beside me.

While I know going on this trip alone is what I need, I worry how the hell he’s going to survive without me for a full week. It’s not that I’m arrogant. I just know how much we rely on one another for things.

Guilt swims through me at the thought of leaving him unattended.

Except, he wouldn’t really be.

He has more friends than just me now. Foster and Duval would be there for him if he needed them. Besides, I really do need to get away, if for no other reason than to get rid of this stupid crush that won’t go away.

Maybe by the time I come back, I won’t be in love with Edward anymore.

Maybe I’ll actually try dating.

Maybe.

Maybe.

Maybe.