Page 6 of Holiday Situationship

I stop myself, my cheeks heating at the memory. That blurry night is best forgotten.

“Our first date was kinda nerdy.” Sam glances at me, a playful grin playing across his handsome face. “Annie had this keychain that read, Waka-Waka.”

“Ms. Pacman! Doo-doo-doo,” Julia gleefully replicates the descending sound of a successfully eaten ghost. I’ve never seen my boss so animated. “I loved that game.”

“That’s the one,” Sam confirms. “My dad filled our basement with every arcade and pool hall game imaginable so all the kids would congregate at our house. So, I invited Annie over for a video game marathon and she brutally kicked my butt with some pattern she memorized.” Sam glances at me as he taps his temple with his finger. A playful, lopsided smirk streaks across his lips. “Brain like a steel trap. She’s great at figuring out patterns and puzzles.”

His compliment brings a warm flutter to my chest. I’m both embarrassed and appreciative of his compliment, but also keenly aware of the nuances he zeroes in on. He sees me—he’s always seen me.

“It’s what makes her so good at her job,” Julia says, and a fraction of the worry I have about the possibility of losing my job ebbs.

I manage a smile, grateful for Sam’s quick thinking and for knowing me so well. Listening to him recount our shared history, I realize how many memories I’ve taken for granted. The truth is, he makes our pretend relationship feel so genuine that I’m starting to believe it might be real.

***

Sam

As we near our destination, Ryan glances at us in the review with a wide, generous smile. “We plan the retreat in different locations every year. This year, our friends found a hidden gem on the outskirts of Snowflake Falls,” he explains. “They sent us pictures a few months ago. Julia and I fell in love with the place from the get-go.”

“The rental is an old grain silo, renovated by a local resident, Adrian Clausen,” Julia adds as she types in something on her phone. “He comes from a rather wealthy family in town, but our friends say he’s down to earth. They’d never have known by looking at him that he’s a regular guy like the rest of us working-class folk.”

“Internet’s a little spotty at the rental, but we have plenty of activities planned for that to matter much,” Ryan says.

I glance at Annie and mouth what plans. She shrugs her shoulders.

“Just look at this place.” Julia passes her phone over the seat to Annie, oblivious to our raised brows. “Isn’t it gorgeous?”

Annie leans to the center of the bench seat, and I lean into her. The road’s bumpy, jostling the phone. I place my hand over hers, steadying the phone, and our eyes lock for a moment longer than necessary. Annie’s gaze flickers to my lips, then just as quickly, refocuses on the phone. My heart pounds loudly enough, I’m sure everyone in the car hears it. But it happened so suddenly, I question whether I imagined the moment at all.

Annie swipes through the photos of the refurbished silo and its brief description.

“The renovated silo stands proudly on the outskirts of Snowflake Falls. The original metal panels have been carefully preserved with a fresh coat of weather-resistant paint. Custom windows wrap around the silo, allowing for a panoramic view and natural light to flood the interior.” Annie reads aloud. The corners of her mouth tick upward as she reads.

“The interior of the silo is both inviting and elegantly modern, featuring a spacious entryway that opens into a cozy gathering area where guests can mingle and relax. The open-concept design leads seamlessly to a fully functional kitchen equipped with stainless steel appliances and a charming breakfast nook. A semi-formal dining area sits adjacent to the kitchen, perfect for intimate meals or festive gatherings. The silo boasts three full bathrooms and one half bath, all stylishly appointed with contemporary fixtures.” She abruptly pauses reading and glances at me. Her cheeks tinge pink and her hands tremor ever so slightly. “Upstairs, the remaining floors house three comfortable bedrooms, each thoughtfully decorated to provide a restful retreat after a day of holiday activities.”

Annie passes the phone back to Julia. “Doesn’t it sound just delightful?” Julia sighs and settles back in her chair.

Ryan pulls into the property’s long driveway, and Julia begins chatting animatedly with him about the scenery. Their voices blend into the background as Annie tugs on my shirt. She shoots me a look of panic. I lower my chin, to hear her hushed voice.

“Three bedrooms,” she whispers discreetly, her voice tinged with apprehension. “We’re sharing a bed?”

I can’t help but smirk as a flicker of amusement overtakes me. As I mentioned before, Annie has a knack for finding trouble.

I brush my lips against her temple, appearing to give her an affectionate kiss in case Ryan glances in the mirror. “You should have thought your little white lie through before fibbing to the boss.” The thought of being this close to Annie, even as a charade, sends a thrill through me that has my entire body buzzing with anticipation. “You made your bed, Annie. Now you have to lie in it.”

CHAPTER 4

***

Annie

Sam leans in close with his breath tickling against my ear. His whispered words ignite a dangerous spark inside me, fast tracking the rhythm of my heart. My breath hitches in my throat, and a familiar warmth spreads through me, lingering heavily in my most private places. Memories of all the times we’ve shared cling to my heart. Despite my attempts to forget the night that could have ruined everything, it remains close, whispering to my soul.

“We’re here,” Julia bubbles.

The silo is even more beautiful than the photos on the website. Its charming rustic shell incorporates modern elements of comfort and style. The entry is marked by a small, circular porch crafted from what appears to be reclaimed wood, each plank unique with weathered textures, knots, and nail holes.

The warm glow of white Christmas lights adorns the front porch, twinkling like stars against the fading sun. A woven pinecone wreath with holly twigs and red berries hangs on the front door, a cheerful greeting for weary travelers like us.

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