Chapter 15
Easton
I was late getting off work today, and everyone was gone by the time I made it to the office. Swinging by Violet’s desk, I had an extra spring in my step as I put the heavy package down in front of her computer monitor.
But then I spotted an envelope addressed to Secret Santa.
Violet hadn’t tried to communicate back with me yet. Not to my alter-ego, AKA Secret Santa anyway.
She’d communicated with me plenty out at the ice-skating rink.
And I had a hot date with her tomorrow night, too.
I was planning to ask her out on a date every night for the rest of our lives as long as she kept saying yes to me.
I never would have thought that she’d actually go for a guy like me. And I didn’t know for sure that she liked me, but she sure had giggled a lot while we skated, her cheeks flushing pink every time our eyes met. And from what I knew about women, those were some sure signs of interest.
I tore open the envelope to see what she’d written me.
Dear Secret Santa,
While I’ve appreciated your efforts, I feel like it would be unfair of me to string you along any further.
The truth is, I’m in love with someone else. I appreciate the attention. It’s very flattering, and also thoughtful of you, but I have to ask you to stop giving me gifts.
I know that if you’re following the Twelve Days of Christmas song; we have three more gifts to go. But please hold off on giving me anymore. You’ll find the woman who’s right for you. You just need to keep your heart open for love.
With care,
Violet
My heart sank in my chest.
Had I read all her signals wrong?
Was this her way of trying to let me down easily?
We were supposed to have a date tonight, and now I wondered if I should even show up.
I looked at the ridiculous gift I’d put on her desk. It was so heavy she probably couldn’t even lift it. And she was definitely the only person who could benefit from it.
Wavering back and forth on whether I should take it with me or not, I finally muttered, “Fuck it,” and left it on her desk.
But I did snatch the letter back that I’d originally planned to give her. It explained why I deviated away from ten lords a-leaping—which honestly had me stumped—to buy a transmission for her car. I scrawled out a hastily written note in its place while I tried to keep my heart in one piece.