Page 40 of When the Fake Snow Falls

Our server comes back with two waters, and we order our drinks, salads, and entrees. I choose the chicken piccata and Chardonnay, while Chase orders the prime rib and a glass of bourbon.

He clears his throat once we’re alone again. “So, what do you think of the place?”

I look around the dimly lit room with its sleek aesthetic. They’ve managed to make the place subtly festive. A pianist plays instrumental holiday music in the middle of the room while small bunches of fresh holly adorn each table beside a flickering candle.

“It’s amazing,” I say, still looking around in wonder. “I hope you know I’m not splitting this bill, though.”

His laugh pulls my attention back to him. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

The way he’s looking at me is too much. Sitting up straight in a desperate attempt to get back to business, I say, “So, tell me about yourself.”

He blinks. “What do you want to know?”

“Anything? Everything? Whatever your girlfriend should know about you?”

“Ah, right.” He nods. “Not much to know, really. My parents and sister still live in Massachusetts, but I live here. I moved for college and never went back, but sometimes I miss it. My sister has three kids who call me Uncle Cheesy—mostly because my sister finds it funny.” He looks up like he’s trying to remember if there’s anything else. “Oh, and I’m a bit of a workaholic, but I’m sure you’ve gathered that, and it’s not always by choice.”

I absorb every detail like a sponge, holding it in as the pieces of my Chase puzzle grow and click into place. “Uncle Cheesy?” I ask with a slight lift to my lips.

He laughs. “Yeah. I think it started as Uncle Chasey, but as soon as one of them pronounced it wrong, the new name stuck.”

“They sound wonderful.” I can totally see Chase as an Uncle Cheesy now that he’s said it. I picture him running around the house with three sets of tiny feet giggling after him. It’s adorable. “Will you see them for Christmas?”

Chase shakes his head, and my smile fades. “I haven’t been home for Christmas since my boss took on running the Christmas party. I think it’s been three years?” He shrugs. “I always try to take a week off in January to go see them instead.”

A comment about his boss is on the tip of my tongue, but I know that’s not what he wants to talk about, so I bury it and instead say, “At least you get to spend some time with them.”

He smiles, but there’s a hint of sadness to it. “Yeah.” Snapping out of it, he gestures toward me. “But what about you? Any siblings?”

I shake my head. “Nope. Just two loving parents who get a little weirder every year.”

“Weird parents are the best.”

A smile warms my lips. “They really are.”

Seeing me laugh makes his smile stretch further, and something in my chest warms. I consider him. This beautiful man in this outrageously nice restaurant. “Why are you single?” As far as I can tell, he could probably have any woman he wanted. Why waste his time with a fake date?

Our drinks arrive, and Chase turns his attention to the person who dropped them off, thanking them. When he turns back to me, he takes a sip like he’s willing to abandon my question altogether.

I raise an eyebrow to prompt him.

“You want to know why I’m single?”

I nod.

He shrugs. “I had a somewhat serious girlfriend a while back, but we broke up last October. I’ve dated a little here and there, but nothing stuck.”

I press my lips together, trying to read between the lines.

Chase chuckles. “I don’t mind being single.”

“Of course, you don’t. As long as there aren’t any parties to go to, right?” I tease as I take a sip of my wine.

He narrows his eyes playfully. “Who knew going to a Christmas party alone would be such a mistake?”

“I mean, the number of mistletoes alone should have been a sign.” During the holidays you either have couples being cozy or singles looking for someone to get cozy with.

He nods after taking a sip and sets down his glass. “You’re right. I should have known.”

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