Chapter 14
Violet
I almost didn’t want to open today’s Secret Santa gift.
Last night had been the most amazing night of my life. Easton and I had shared peppermint bark and mint chocolate hot cocoa. Then, we headed to the ice-skating pond, where he’d had to save me from falling approximately one-thousand times.
Every single time his strong arms had caught me and kept me from falling had felt like the wildest sex I’d ever had.
I was in heat for that man. I swear.
But that meant that whoever my Secret Santa was would have a hurt heart at the end of this. And I felt bad for them.
Even though we hadn’t kissed at the end of the night, Easton had asked me out again. He wanted to take me to the Bear Den for drinks tomorrow night.
The name of that place intimidated me, but I’d still told him yes.
That was the only answer I’d ever have for that man.
Yes. Yes. A thousand times yes.
And on top of that, we had plans to go to the roller skating rink in Fernwood this weekend, even though he said he hadn’t put skates on his feet since middle school.
What had felt like an insane crush was turning into a dream come true. But now I had to deal with my Secret Santa.
Lenore was standing right behind me, breathing hard with anticipation. “Open it already!”
Mike and Frank were standing by, waiting to see what I’d got. Both of them had hardly spoken a single word to me since I arrived on the job. And it made me think maybe these gifts were from one of them. Otherwise, why would they be so interested in watching me unwrap it?
Reluctantly, I peeled the tape off the Christmas goat wrapping paper.
It was a big box, and when I got it open, I buried my head in my hands. “This is too much! Too much.”
Nicole shook her head. “Naw. These are great boots. What’s on the card?”
I’d never worn cowgirl boots a day in my life. But if I were going to wear a pair, this is the pair I’d want. They were bold and loud. The pink boots had red roses embossed on them.
This was day nine of the song, and the gift represented the nine ladies dancing. Opening up the card, I saw a reservation for a series of nine line-dancing lessons held at the Bear Den.
That was a coincidence, since Easton and I had just decided to go there. The first lesson was scheduled on our date night. Would it be weird to use my Secret Santa gift on my date with Easton?
Mike and Frank wandered off, obviously not excited about cowgirl boots.
And I took that opportunity to whisper to Nicole and Lenore. “Are they local?”
Lenore asked, “Who, Mike and Frank? No, they transferred in a few months before you.”
That crossed their names off the list.
“Who is local?”
Nicole’s eyes got wide. “Is that a clue? Your Secret Santa grew up here on Red Oak Mountain?”
I nodded.
They quickly made a list of all the out-of-towners who worked in the office, along with the locals. Quite a few of my co-workers were transfers like me. I hadn’t known that, but then again, I’d never asked. Making small talk wasn’t my specialty.
After cross-referencing their list, I realized I was down to three names.
Peter, Will, and Justin.
I studied my list, making sure I hadn’t made any mistakes.
Peter
Will
Tim (my boss, eek!) – white hair
Justin
Ralph,– white hair
Mike – not local
Christian – sleeps in late
Nicole – no truck
Lenore- no truck
Javier – sleeps in late
Frank – not local
Aemon small truck
Lenore tugged the list out of my hands.
“Oh. It can’t be Justin. I’m pretty sure he’s gay.”
I glanced up at her. “How sure?”
“Certain. I ran into him and his boyfriend at the Ozark Axe House a few months ago. They’re broken up now, and I remember when he was heartbroken about it.”
Hm. Now the list was down to two.
Just Peter and Will.
It was time to do something drastic.
I pulled out a blank sheet of paper and started writing. “It’s time for me to end this.”
It wouldn’t be fair to keep taking expensive gifts from another man while I was falling for Easton.