Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Peppermint or gingerbread?
I stare at the creamer options in my refrigerator. The pot of coffee gurgles and spurts as I decide what flavor I want my morning lifeline to be. Finally, I opt for peppermint.
My eyes burn, having pushed myself past the brink of exhaustion. I only slept six hours when I got home, and while that’s an adequate night’s sleep for some people, I need a full eight.
When my steaming cup of coffee is in my hand with the sweet and sharp notes of peppermint wafting into the air, I sit in the oversized chair by the window.
I pay an exuberant amount in rent for this gorgeous view of Mission Bay, overlooking the sparkling water and sandy bayside beach, so I try to enjoy it as much as I can.
While I’m lost in thought, my phone vibrates in the pocket of my robe. Carefully, I shift my cup into my left hand and pull it out, seeing Zee’s name lighting up the screen.
Have anyone special you want to bring caroling?
Scrunching my nose, my fingers fly over the screen as I respond.
Did you put too much Baileys in your coffee this morning? Why would you think I have someone to bring?
The only romantic relationships I have are with Christmas flavors I can add to my coffee—peppermint, gingerbread, toasted marshmallow—and I love them all equally.
I don’t know, just checking! You know how Miller and I had a whirlwind romance. An overnight love affair can happen to you, too.
You’re the exception, not the rule, Miss Holly North.
Holly North was the pseudonym Zee created last Christmas when she decided to join a dating app to go on a few dates over the holidays. One of her dates was a cozy Christmas Eve dinner, with none other than Doctor Hottie, which led to her meeting the love of her life, Lincoln’s cousin, Miller.
Oh my gosh!
You should do what I did!
I purse my lips, trying to decode what my best friend is encouraging me to do. Then, the lightbulb turns on at the same moment another text appears on my screen.
You should set up a SparksFly account.
No way.
With what time? I barely have time to eat and sleep, let alone date.
Yes! It could be so good.
YOUR CHRISTMAS NAME COULD BE NOELLE WINTERS
Okay, stop. That’s actually kind of cute.
And believable.
Noelle Winters could totally be someone’s real name…then I realize where my thoughts have carried me. My fingers fly furiously over the keyboard, texting a response.
And do what exactly? I don’t have time to go on holidates, Zee!
No, but you have time to get a little holidick.
I chose the wrong time to take a drink of coffee, practically spitting it out as I laugh out loud.
My phone vibrates again.
Just do it. Nothing has to come of it, but it could be fun.
A huff of annoyance deflates my lungs, and for a few seconds, I simply stare at the message. Zee’s never been overly interested in my love life—never to the point of pushing me to meet someone. She knows I’ve been focused on myself and building my career.
Which brings me to my next question.
Where is this coming from?
Three dots show up at the bottom of our message, then disappear. It happens twice, then her text finally comes through.
Lincoln’s bringing a date to caroling.
The words across my screen cause a lump to form in my throat.
Lincoln’s bringing a date.
Does that bother me?
Yeah, it does. But it shouldn’t.
I can take a raincheck if you want it to be a double date.
NO! That wasn’t what I was insinuating. I just wanted to give you a heads-up. Please still come.
Okay.
My answer is short, but irritation rushes through me. Not only because Lincoln’s bringing a date, but because Zee thinks I need to bring someone now. Why? I can handle seeing Lincoln on a date.
I have a crush, not an unyielding love for the guy.
Tossing my phone to the side, I return my full attention to my coffee, sipping the foam from the top.
My chest tightens as I mull over Zee’s texts, replaying them in my mind.
She’s never felt the need to tell me about Lincoln’s plans before, and I haven’t clued her in on how I’ve been feeling.
She knows I think he’s attractive and I love to tease him while we’re at work, but I’ve never flat out told her my attraction to him is more than just physical.
After another few sips of my coffee, I pick my phone back up and open up the App Store, searching for SparksFly.
Should I download it?
If Zee hadn’t taken the leap of faith last year, she would have never met Miller.
But then again, I’m not actively looking for anyone. I have no time for a partner at this stage in my life.
A hookup, however…
Why not?
Within seconds, the app is downloaded, open to the sign up screen, and ready for me to input my information.
Hesitantly, I fill out the questionnaire.
Noelle Winters
Twenty-eight
San Diego
Bio: Can you light up my life like a Christmas tree?
Interests: Spending time with family, the holidays, my dog. Not looking for anything serious or long-term.
Uploading my favorite photo of me from last Christmas—me looking at my parents’ Christmas tree, my wild, curly raven-colored hair swept back with a red velvet bow—I clench my jaw, wavering for a moment, before clicking submit.
There.
Done.
The screen immediately refreshes, opening to the profile of a somewhat attractive twenty-three-year-old, but I swipe on by. My palms start to sweat while I peruse a handful of men the app wants to match me with, all of which are handsome, and surprisingly, seem to be successful.
A few do catch my eye, and I swipe to confirm my interest, but once we’ve been paired, I close out of the screen, not wanting to be the first to send a message. I’m not ready for that next step—maybe I shouldn’t have created an account to begin with.
My phone hits the couch with a soft thud as I toss it aside, also abandoning my now empty mug on the coffee table, to go get dressed.
As miserable as it’ll be, I need to go to Fashion Valley Mall today and shop for gifts for my sisters. Leave it to their bougie asses to have expensive taste, forcing me to shop at the upscale mall I try to avoid.
When I enter my bedroom, Pebbles groans, stretching on her oversized plush bed. Pushing open the curtains, I let the daylight assault my poor sleeping beauty.
“Wakey, wakey, eggs and bakey!” I singsong, bending down to scratch behind her ears.
With another stretch, her long legs stiffen before she rolls over quickly, jolting her giant, horse-like body upright with a big yawn.
The plush duvet on my bed looks cozy and inviting, a symphony of down feathers practically begging me to crawl under them.
As though she hears the call of their comfort too, Pebbles takes a singular leap onto it and curls herself back into a ball.
“Alright, fine. Ten minutes, max, okay?” I relent, crawling up beside my girl. She exhales a deep sigh when my arm drapes across her, content to have morning snuggles. Her eyes shut as she falls asleep despite having just woken up, and before I know it, I’m asleep too.
Message received
Subject: Naughty or Nice?
Hey Noelle,
Are you on the naughty list? Would you like to be?
-Travis
___
Message received
Subject: Damn, girl.
Do I turn on…your lights? Because you turn me on.
Let me know,
Chad
___
Message received
Subject: Just like Santa
I’m in town for the weekend and looking for a ho, ho, ho…
xx - Kyle
___
Throwing my phone across the room, not caring where it lands, I listen to the resounding thud as it connects with what I assume is my dresser, but can’t be too sure because I’ve already squeezed my eyes shut in regret.
Why did I let Zee talk me into creating a dating profile? And better yet, why did I go through with it?
The too bright clock on my bedside table tells me it’s past three in the afternoon. I never intended on taking a four hour nap, but apparently my body forced me into recouping from the long hours I pulled at the hospital.
And it’s only going to get worse.
According to the weather app that sent an alert earlier, San Diego is about to get hit with a storm…and judging by the social media I scrolled through before tackling the SparksFly notifications, people are already in a frenzy.
The ding from another notification reverberates through the room from where my phone lies on the floor.
“Ugh.” Pushing to my feet, I swipe it from the carpet as I pass by, heading to the bathroom.
Ignoring the alert from SparksFly, I set it on the bathroom counter and prep my toothbrush, shoving it into my mouth.
The intense mint flavor assaults my tastebuds as I brush my teeth, and I turn back to look through the door leading to my bedroom.
Pebbles is still lying on my bed, sprawled out, snoring, without a care in the world.
Goofy dog.
My phone pings again, and with the toothbrush still hanging out of my mouth, I reach for it, opening the app that’s going to get deleted promptly after I read the new messages.
Message received
Subject: Only Here for the Weekend
Hi Noelle,
I’m only in town for the next few days for a sports medicine training, and would love to spend the small pockets of free time I have with a beautiful woman. Any interest in dinner while I’m here? Saturday?
Oh, my name’s Liam, by the way. Liam Waggoner. I should have led with that.
___
Clicking on his profile picture, I nearly drop my phone with how handsome this man is. Short light brown hair and piercing honey brown eyes with a smile that could kill.
Liam Waggoner.
His bio says he’s a team doctor for the Bridge Point Bears, which brings the sports medicine training full circle.
Dinner this weekend…
Shit, I already made plans to go caroling with Zee, Miller, and Lincoln.
And his date.
With a deep frown, I look back down at Liam’s picture, then click back into the messages.
Hesitating, my fingers hover the screen, not sure if I should answer, or what I should even say. But before I know it, my response has been sent.
Subject: Only Here for the Weekend
How do you feel about caroling?
___
I close out of the app, not expecting to get a response right away. Spitting, I rinse my toothbrush, then lean over the faucet to rinse my mouth with water.
Before I’ve even had the chance to put my toothbrush back in the holder, an alert lights up my screen.
Message received
Subject: Only Here for the Weekend
Well, I can’t quite carry a tune, but I’m always up for an adventure. What did you have in mind?
___
A spike of giddiness trickles through my bloodstream, and I bite down on my lip to try and suppress the smile naturally floating to my lips.
Subject: Only Here for the Weekend
I promised some friends we would go caroling.
Message received
Subject: Only Here for the Weekend
Will you let me buy you dinner after?
___
Resisting the urge to kick my feet and squeal, I carry my phone into my bedroom and sit down on the edge of my bed.
Subject: Only Here for the Weekend
Let’s see how caroling goes first.
Any interest in grabbing hot chocolate before we sing our hearts out? At Perk Up? 6:30?
Message received
Subject: Only Here for the Weekend
That sounds perfect. I’ll see you then, Noelle.
___
Exiting the app, I toggle over to my phone's search engine and input his name. Sure enough, the top website is the homepage to the Bridge Point Bears.
Liam Waggoner is, in fact, who he says he is.
A mild wave of guilt hits me square in the chest knowing I’m lying about my name, but it’s not too late to be truthful when we’re face to face.
I’ll feel him out. See if he gives good guy vibes, or if he’s a secret serial killer.
Either way, I feel a rush of endorphins knowing I’ll have a date for caroling. Maybe it’ll help combat the jealousy I know I’ll feel seeing Lincoln with a date of his own.