Page 5 of My Secret Santa Mason

I’d never had that, and it made it easier for me. No strings attached and I preferred it that way.

My life was way too fucked up to have a woman in it, anyway. I didn’t even allow myself to wonder about what it would have been like.

One thing I appreciated about Tanner was that despite being reformed, he didn’t push me in any direction I didn’t want to go. He knew when to talk and when to shut the fuck up, and sometimes that was all I needed.

I grabbed a beer from the fridge and tossed one to Tanner. He caught it one-handed, popping the top without a word.

“Nice shot,” Tanner said, nodding toward the hare. “Right through the eye. You always were a perfectionist.”

I grunted, leaning against the counter. “Just doing what needs to be done.”

Tanner took a long drink, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Speaking of doing things… Rae wants you to come to that Secret Santa thing.”

What did I just say about not pushing me in any direction I didn’t want to go? Yeah, scratch that.

I frowned, the idea already annoying me. “Pass.”

“Come on, man. It’s one night. You show up, pretend to enjoy yourself, maybe eat a cookie or two. Or waffles or something. They have this whole menu planned out and everything.”

I snorted. “Waste of resources.”

“Not everyone understands this way of life, Bear,” Tanner said, using my nickname. “It’s going to be fun. Don’t focus on the kind of living you have up here. Besides, Rae’s new friend decorated the place and went all out. You’d be doing her a favor. She’s so excited to show it off to everyone.”

“She can show it off to the rest of the town. There are a lot of people who like the pomp and circumstance and I’m sure they’re all going to be there. You don’t need me.”

“Come on, man. It’s not such a big deal. Besides, you should get out, be around people for a change. You’re losing your charm.”

I barked a laugh. Charm was the last thing in the world I had. I was gruff, often pissed off, and I liked it that way. If others didn’t… well, fuck ’em.

Tanner smirked, taking another sip of his beer. “Come on, man. It won’t kill you to do something social once every fucking decade. Rae’s excited about it, and you know how she gets about these things, living in the moment. Plus, this new girl Camille—she’s really turned the whole thing into something special. It’d mean a lot if you showed your face.”

I stared at him, weighing my options. Tanner wasn’t going to let this go, and he knew damn well that I had a soft spot for Rae. She could hold her own in a way a lot of women couldn’t, and she was Tanner’s everything. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Fine. But I’m not staying long, and I’m not talking to anyone.”

Tanner grinned, clinking his beer bottle against mine. “That’s the spirit, Bear. One night won’t be the end of the world.”

I wasn’t so sure about that. But I nodded, knowing it was the closest thing to a compromise I’d get. And as much as I hated to admit it, maybe a part of me was curious about this newcomer in town. It always paid off to know who the people were around here, and if there was someone new, it was my business to know who it was.

Yeah, that was all it was—a matter of survival. I wasn’t curious about the new girl at all.

3

CAMI

The diner was buzzed with excitement, every inch decked out in Christmas cheer. Twinkling fairy lights hung around the windows, reflecting off the glossy red booths and checkerboard floors. The jukebox in the corner played a soft medley of holiday tunes, adding to the 1950s charm that made Millie’s feel like a step back in time. Garland and tinsel wrapped around the counter stools, and a miniature Christmas tree stood proudly near the entrance, its branches heavy with ornaments and candy canes.

This was what Christmas was supposed to look like. I’d always toned it down a little for Dylan and his family, who were more worried about appearances and didn’t like it when there was an explosion of Christmas.

Now that I had no one to please—I hadn’t realized how much I’d tried to change for them until I’d been allowed to be myself again—I’d gone all out, and this place looked just how I’d wanted it to look.

I stood by the door, wearing a Santa hat, red coat, and black boots. With my phone, I snapped a few pictures for the diner’ssocial media page and to put on my own page, showcasing my talents.

Everything was perfect—the snow outside, the warm glow inside, the mingling of neighbors all bundled up and happy. It felt like something out of a Christmas movie.

“Cami! Over here!” Rae’s voice cut through the din, drawing my attention to the group coming through the door. Rae had Hunter on her hip, bundled up in a tiny puffer jacket that made him look like a marshmallow. Tanner followed close behind, tall and broad, his arm wrapped protectively around Rae. But it was the man with them that caught my eye.

He washuge, even compared to Tanner, with a rugged beard and sharp blue eyes that swept the room like he was scanning for threats. His presence was magnetic in that “don’t mess with me” kind of way. Everything about him screamed danger—from the set of his jaw to the way he carried himself, like he was ready for a fight.

But God, he was beautiful in a rough, untamed way that made my heart skip a beat.

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