Chapter 24
It’s the last day for Santa pictures. The last day I’ll be volunteering with the Frost and Winter brothers. In a strange way, I’m sad that all five of us won’t be together again, even though the men obviously don’t like being around each other.
It also feels like a deadline of sorts, even though no one has said that it is.
Nick and Rudy get out of their car when I pull into the lot, and I’m sure they were waiting for me.
“You look beautiful, Mrs. Claus.” Nick puts his arm around my waist and gives me a squeeze, then pulls away.
“We know things are complicated,” Rudy says. “Last night was great, but we understand that no commitments have been made.”
“We are, however, ready whenever you are,” Nick says, and I don’t know if he means ready for more sex, or for a commitment. Maybe both.
Either way, my shoulders relax a bit, because I had been worried that Nick and Rudy would try to lay claim to me, sort of like the fight over the Santa costume.
I’m also worried that the Frost brothers will act smug today, even unintentionally, especially since they found out that I haven’t been physical with the Winters, but Nick and Rudy are more gracious than they've ever been, and it makes me like them even more.
They cede the Santa costume to Jasper without argument, and later, when Felix asks me out right in front of the Frosts, Nick and Rudy don’t say a word.
Oh, they’re not thrilled about it—their faces clearly show hints of irritation—but I can tell they’re being patient for my sake.
Rudy gestures me closer to Felix, then he and Nick walk away to give us privacy.
I’m relieved that they’re being mature about the situation, but I imagine there will be limits to their patience, and I don’t want to push it. I need to make a decision very soon.
“We called off work tonight,” Felix says.
“You did?”
“We’d like to take you somewhere special.” He smiles at me in that way that makes my stomach do flip-flops. “Pack an overnight bag.”
I’m filled with curiosity, but the long line of people seeking last-minute Santa pictures keeps me so busy that I don’t have much time to speculate. The steady crowd also keeps the men too busy to argue with each other, though the Frosts are clearly on their best behavior today.
In fact, when it’s time to leave, Nick and Rudy wish Felix and Jasper a merry Christmas. After a pause from being caught off guard, the Winters wish the same to the Frosts.
If only the four of them could always get along so well.
At home, while I shower, get dressed, and pack my bag, I have more time to think. I wonder what the night will bring, and whether spending more time with the Winters will help make it clear that I should be with the Frosts.
Though I’m very much looking forward to an overnight date with Felix and Jasper, it’s hard to imagine that tonight could be better than last night.
When the men arrive to pick me up, I answer the door to find them holding a bouquet of flowers. Red roses in a variety of sizes, with white accent flowers and greenery.
“These are beautiful! What’s the occasion?”
“It’s a special night,” Felix says with a cryptic smile.
Both men look special, too, with button-down shirts, one in forest green, the other charcoal, over dark denim and nice shoes.
They look freshly groomed and smell amazing.
I want to fill my senses with them, and I get to fulfill the sense of taste when they step close to kiss me, first Jasper, then Felix.
“You look stunning,” Felix says, and I’m glad I chose a dress for this mystery date.
“Red is your color.” Jasper kisses me again. “But we already knew that, Mrs. Claus.”
“Where are we headed?” I ask, as they help me into the truck.
“It’s a surprise,” Jasper says.
I expect we’ll go into Whitman or somewhere beyond, but instead, he drives directly to the island’s fanciest spot, The Four Points Beach Resort.
“We’re not spending the night here, are we?” Despite not living far from the resort, I’ve never had occasion to come here. I have heard plenty, though, about how fabulous and fancy it is.
When they nod, I say, “I assumed you’d be taking me to your house.”
“Our place is nothing special,” Felix says. “We’re actually in the market for a new house. You deserve an extra special night.”
A valet opens the door of the truck for us, unloads the small amount of luggage we brought, and takes the keys from Jasper, as a doorman invites us inside the hotel. The lobby is grand, and opulently decorated for the holiday season.
“It’s beautiful.” I swivel my head, taking it all in. “I can’t believe we’re staying here.”
After giving me time to enjoy the view, Jasper leans close and speaks quietly. “We have two rooms reserved. Would you prefer your own? We didn’t bring you here to put pressure on you.”
I search his eyes, then shake my head. “No, I’d like to stay with you two.”
He smiles and squeezes my hand before going over to the counter to check us in.
Our room is nearly as luxurious as the lobby, and large too, with a living area that’s separate from the bedroom. As Jasper finds something that can hold my flowers, Felix tells me we have reservations in the hotel’s best restaurant. The night is full of surprises.
The dining room is as elegant as expected, with soft, festive music provided by a live pianist. We have wine, delicious food, and at the end of our meal, we share a rich, chocolatey dessert.
“This is such a treat,” I tell them. I’d have never expected such a fancy date from Felix and Jasper, and it only serves to show me how many assumptions I’ve been making about the two of them.
After dinner, the three of us walk hand-in-hand among the twinkling white lights of the resort grounds, which are perfectly manicured and beautifully decorated.
It’s very romantic, especially when the men stop under the arch of a passageway, where mistletoe is hanging.
They kiss me until my knees wobble, and make me feel like I’m the only thing they want to unwrap this Christmas.
“If you can’t tell,” Felix says, gently smoothing hair from my temple, “we’re trying to convince you that you belong with us.”
Jasper’s arm is already around my waist, and he grips me tighter.
“We get the idea that we’re probably not the type of guys you’re usually with—” He doesn’t mention the Frost brothers, but they’re definitely the elephant in the room.
“But we want to be the ones who are here for you. We want to be everything you need.”
I might have been surprised by this declaration, but in an environment like this, on a night like this, it seems fitting. “Are you really looking for a relationship?”
“We may not be the best at communicating,” Jasper says, “but we thought that would have been obvious by now.”
“We weren’t looking for someone until we met you, but when you know, you know,” Felix says. “It was obvious from the start that you were special, and getting to know you has only made our feelings stronger.”
As I’m letting this settle in, Jasper kisses me again. Then Felix kisses me. We’re still under the mistletoe, after all.
“Despite the job we do at night, we’re one-woman kind of men,” Felix says.
“We only want you, and we can see a future with you,” Jasper says. “Kids, if you want them, a house, a dog, all of that. And, of course, Cupid.”
This should make me incredibly happy, and it does, but I’m so conflicted. They could be everything I need, and they would be … if I didn’t also need Nick and Rudy.