Page 42 of Stranded for Christmas with my Boss

My body locks up in shock as the pieces finally fall together. We never did figure out who exactly paid for the repairs on my parents’ car, and I’m sure the owner dodged their questions because Jensen asked him to keep quiet.

Why would he hide this from me? Why would he do something so sweet and selfless?

I swipe out of my messages and call Jensen, putting it on speaker so that I can still look at the receipt in case he tries to deny me. I have the proof in my hand!

The ringing stops as he answers, but the screen suddenly fills with Oliver’s face as the call switches to FaceTime. “Hi, Alyssa!”

I’m so stunned that I can’t even think of a reply for a second. When my brain does decide to work, I smile and lift my free hand in a little wave. “Hey, Oliver. I haven’t seen you in a while!”

Jensen’s face soon appears next to Oliver’s. “Hey, sorry. I’m watching Ollie tonight. Holly is having a girls’ night out.”

As if my heart wasn’t already consumed with warmth.

“Are you having fun with your uncle, Oliver?” I ask him with a light laugh, watching Jensen playfully roll his eyes at me.

“Yes! My birthday is on Saturday!”

“Wow, really? Just a few days before Christmas!” I tell him. I’m sure it’s magical and fun now for him to have a birthday so close to the holidays, but I know quite a few people who gripe about their birthdays being close to the holidays.

“He’s turning seven and growing way too fast,” Jensen says as he ruffles Oliver’s hair, their laughter sounding over my phone speaker.

A fluttering sensation erupts in my chest and floats down to my stomach. I don’t know if he ever plans to have kids of his own, but Jensen would be a good dad. He was really candid with me the other night about his rocky relationship with his parents.

I truly didn’t see that coming. The confession, or his past. But I am grateful that he trusts me enough to talk to me about things like that because I know they’re hard. I’ll never understand what it’s like to grow up with parents so selfish and neglectful, but I sympathize with him.

He went through a lot, but I think he wouldn’t ever be anything like his parents if he had a kid of his own.

“What is your party theme?” I ask Oliver as I sit up straighter in bed, holding my phone up to keep my face in front of the camera.

“Elves!”

A surprised look fills my face. “Elves? Like Santa’s village?”

“Pretty much just elves,” Jensen replies with a light laugh. “He has always liked elves.”

That was one of the cutest things I’d ever heard.

“Ironically, I have an elf costume from a community theater play I did a few years ago,” I say, making Jensen laugh a little harder. “I played elf number three, and I was, admittedly, pretty good.”

“Can you come to my party?” Oliver suddenly begs, making my eyes widen. “I want an elf at my party!”

My gaze shifts over in Jensen’s direction as I wait for him to reply. Of course, I’ll take any excuse to dust off my elf costume and partake in a little holiday spirit, even if it’s at a birthday party, but I don’t want to invite myself.

Jensen lifts an eyebrow at me. “Got any plans for this Saturday at one o’clock?”

My heart races. He wants me to come.

“Nothing besides the best birthday party ever,” I say, making Oliver throw his fists up in victory.

Jensen chuckles and places his hand on Oliver’s head. “I’ll talk to your mom, okay? Why don’t you say bye and go brush your teeth?”

“Bye, Alyssa!” Oliver calls out before rushing away.

“Bye!” I call back, not even sure if he heard me or not. Laughter bubbles from me as I shake my head, wondering what in the world I just got myself into. “Are you sure it’s okay that I come? Won’t that seem…weird…me being there because I know you?”

Jensen shrugs. “Holly has heard of you. Austin will be there. If you’re not comfortable coming, it’s okay, but…I want you to come.”

I raise my eyebrows in surprise. He knows how complicated this may make things. It’ll be obvious that we’re at least friends because who brings their co-workers to their nephew’s birthday party? “Are you sure?”

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