Page 46 of Love Song, Take Two

“…then you can probably do what you usually do,” Jensen continued and Fletcher blinked when he realized he missed everything.

“Uh, one more time?”

“What?”

“Got distracted, could you say it all again?”

Jensen arched an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at his lips. “Were you thinking about Micah George?”

“The plan, Mars. Lay it out for me.”

“You can tell me, you know. I’m a really good wingman.”

Sighing, Fletcher shook his head. “I don’t need a wingman.”

“Oh?”

“Can we just…” he started and saw the look on Jensen’s face and decided to throw the man a bone. “I don’t need a wingman, because I already have her.”

“You…bagged the elusive Micah George?”

“Don’t fucking say bagged, that’s disgusting. I told you we have history and apparently some unfinished business,” he explained and shot Jensen another look before waving a hand at him. “Now, back to the plan for this year.”

Jensen stared at him for a long moment, still smiling like the Cheshire Cat as he said, “The mayor wants to do the grand opening in three days, cutting the ribbon and the whole shebang. She’s got some special guests coming this year, so before everyone shows up, she wants to take them around. And Santa needs to be there too.” Fletcher nodded, even if he didn’t want to glad-hand rich people the mayor brought over every now and then. “So we’ll do that a little earlier, then the opening ceremony with the kids’ choir doing their usual song and dance. Then you and your elves can wander around as you please.”

Fletcher sighed, already tired from how much work this would be. He enjoyed and loved it, no doubt. But it was exhausting.

“Our deal is still on, yeah?”

Jensen made a face, but nodded. “He’ll be there on the first day too, so you two can work out your schedules.”

The first two years, Fletcher had worked all seven days of the week and found that it was too much for him to handle. So he had an agreement with Jensen—Fletcher would work five days of the week and take two days off. It could be any five days, as long as he got time to rest and recover before the next week rolled around. Jensen and the mayor hadn’t been happy about it, but Fletcher knew that he needed to put his foot down. Or they’d take him for granted. Sam, the replacement Santa, could be Fletcher’s body double. Living in the town over, he was happy to take on the job for extra cash. And Fletcher was happy to have some time off.

“Great. I’ll see you in three days.” Fletcher not so gently punched Jensen in the arm. “Respect goes a long way, Mars. Don’t talk about Micah, or anyone, that way.”

“I know. I’m sorry,” he said with a sigh.

Fletcher gave him one last look before heading back to his truck. His phone buzzed in his pocket and Fletcher pulled it out as he climbed behind the wheel.

Micah

I’m sorry, Fletch. Raincheck?

I will make it up to you.

*sad face emoji* *kissy face emoji*

Fletcher

Get home safe, Mick. And I’ll hold you to that. *kissy face emoji*

Fletcher

Be my love bug. I’ll be your stallion.

Despite both of them agreeing to spend their free time together, it seemed pretty impossible. It wasn’t just Micah who was busy, in prepping for his Santa duty, Fletcher had also stretched himself a little thin. Flora had finished his coat and hat, so he picked them up and dressed up for the mayor. She liked it, but wanted more Christmas, so Flora stitched faux wool at the ends of the sleeves and along the front, she even added big gold buttons to spruce it up a little more. Then made sure the mayor knew that was all she was willing to do. Nobody messed with Flora or questioned her work, so the mayor signed off on the outfit. Then her guests arrived a day early, while Santa’s Village was still being set up, so Fletcher had to show up with his elves for the walk-through.

Texts and brief phone calls were all they managed for three days, but it was honestly more than enough. He was greedy, wanting to talk to Micah, eat with her, cook with her and just be with her. Maybe it was his age, maybe it was that he wanted more, but sex was the last thing on his mind. He liked kissing and touching and holding Micah, everything else could wait.

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