Page 6 of Wrap Me Up

Tinsel

I startle when someone taps my shoulder. I’d been so engrossed in my smutty audiobook as I hand sew a custom made harness, I hadn’t noticed anyone else come into the studio this early. I should have known who it was when the scent of cinnamon and sugar cookies filled the air.

Santa’s in his signature leather pants sans coat and shirt now that we don’t have to worry about the weather. I toss my earbuds to the table. He’s tan this year instead of sickly white from last year’s ordeal.

“Hey, what can I—”

“Just came to deliver your exchange gift. The elf asked me to pass it on since I was doing my rounds this morning.”

I blink at the red envelope in his hand, then back at him. He gives it a wiggle before I have the nerve to take it. The silver calligraphy is art itself. “So pretty,” I whisper. The wax seal—an evergreen—is beautiful as well, and I hate the thought of breaking it.

“I think you have a secret admirer.”

“Why do you say that?”

Santa shrugs. “Call it Santa intuition.” He gives me a wink and turns to leave. Suddenly my gift doesn’t feel good enough.

“Would you mind delivering my gift to the Nice Workshop? To Noel?”

Santa lets out a jolly laugh and it rattles the windows. “Of course.”

I pull the box from the drawer of my workbench and nibble my bottom lip. “What if he doesn’t like it?” I thought I said it to myself, but Santa chuckles.

“He’s going to love it, Tinsel. I just know it.” Santa clamps his hand to my shoulder and gives it a squeeze. He takes the box and tucks it into his pants pocket. Before he turns, he boops my nose.

I’m left staring after him, then remember I have a gift to open.

Not wanting to ruin the detailed wax seal, I grab a knife and shimmy it under to keep it intact. There’s a hint of pine when I slide the thick green paper from the envelope. I suck in a breath. There’s intricate line work along the edges of the note and a beautifully drawn evergreen. If elf-ly magic isn’t infused into the note, I’ll be surprised. I take in every detail before finally finding the courage to read what it says.

Tinsel,

You light up every room you enter. I hope one day for the chance to make up for my serious mistake. You’re the spark that keeps igniting in my heart, and I hope one day you’ll forgive me.

Yours,

Gift Exchange Buddy

Neither of us is good at keeping secrets, it seems. I smile despite myself. This has to be Noel. Unless it’s Fruitcake, then no thank you. I mean, he never ridiculed me for anything, but he bullied both of my besties for years about things they have no control over and unless he plans to grovel to the entire North Pole, I want nothing romantic to do with him.

I press the note to my heart. I have to see what Dylan and Snow think. I venture across to Dylan’s dildo studio and find them in the silicone toy room using giant dildos as swords. I snort a laugh and when Dylan sees me, he tosses me my own toy of length. It’s a bright yellow tentacle and the size of my arm. Shouting, I set my note on the table and join the fray.

“Why are we battling?”

Snow jabs at Dylan with his tentacle toy. “Krakens from space have infiltrated the North Pole and the only person that can protect planet Earth is Dylan.”

I wave my tentacle around before hitting my best friend in the stomach. Two tiny elves against one much, much bigger one should win us the battle.

But Dylan is strong. He throws his dildo to the table, where the suction cup bottom sticks, then he grabs Snow to tickle to the ground. We’re all laughing so hard I’ve already forgotten about my gift exchange until my friends start making out.

“Hey! Hey!” I poke Dylan’s back with my tentacle. “I came here for a reason.”

“Oh.” Dylan rolls off Snow and pulls him to his side. The pair stay on the floor and they look so cute snuggled in together.

I grab my note and join them, sitting cross-legged. “I got my first exchange gift and I’m pretty sure it’s Noel.” I pass the letter over. They’re smiling like they already know.

“Whoever it is, is a talented artist. Calligraphy and the details,” Snow says as he runs his fingers over the silver ink. “Beautiful.”

“What do I do?”

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