Page 38 of Celebrating the Season

A lump formed in my throat. Jesus, he was gonna make me cry. “This is… They’re amazing. I can’t believe you did this for me.”

Ellery’s hand found mine, squeezing. “Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”

I leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his bearded cheek. “Merry Christmas, El.”

“Come on, I’m starving. How about some breakfast?”

I followed him into the kitchen, still cradling the squirrel figurines. The cabin was filled with the scent of pine from the Christmas tree, mingling with the woodsy aroma that seemed to cling to Ellery.

“What’s on the menu, Chef Wolfe?” I asked, perching on a stool at the counter.

Ellery flashed me a grin. “French toast. That okay with you?”

“God, yes. I haven’t had decent French toast since… Well, probably since the last time I visited my dad, actually.”

The sizzle of butter hitting the hot pan filled the air, followed by the rich, sweet smell of vanilla and cinnamon. My stomach growled, and Ellery laughed.

“Sounds like I’d better hurry before you start gnawing on the furniture,” he teased.

I stuck my tongue out at him. “Hey, I’m a growing boy. Need my nutrients and all that.”

Ellery raised an eyebrow. “You’re twenty-nine, Boaz. You’re an adult.”

“So my dad keeps reminding me, but I beg to differ. I don’t feel like a grownup at all.”

“Tell me about him.” Ellery dipped a thick slice of bread into the egg mixture. “Your dad. You two seem close.”

I nodded. “Yeah, we are. He’s… He’s pretty amazing. He and my mom got pregnant with me when they were still in high school, but they became a family and raised me. Except my dad was gay, so they weren’t really happy. He came out when I was fourteen, which was rough at first, but he and my mom are still best friends. Then he went on a trip with Jesse and they visited Uncle Desmond, who lives here, and met Hawk, his boyfriend. Well, his fiancé now. They’re getting married in a few weeks.” A thought occurred to me, and I slapped my forehead. “But you already know that since you were at their bachelor party. Which reminds me, how did you end up there? Is playing Santa a side gig for you?”

Ellery watched me with amusement dancing in his eyes. “One of these days, you’re gonna pass out from a lack of oxygen, boy.”

I ducked my head, embarrassed. “Sorry. ADHD brain, you know how it is. Or, well, you probably don’t since you’re all focused and stuff.”

“No, I don’t know how it is…but I want to understand, okay? So keep explaining it to me if needed. Anyway, you asked about me playing Santa. Your Uncle Jesse approached me after hearing from Desmond that I had been Santa at a party.”

“But I thought you weren’t even living here last year?”

“I wasn’t. I was staying in Skykomish for a few days. The guy who was supposed to play Santa got sick, and they asked if I’d be willing to take his place. It was one of the reasons why I chose Forestville. I loved hanging out with the folks.”

“I still don’t understand why Jesse asked you though.”

Ellery grinned as he flipped the French toast. “He thought I was a stripper Santa.”

My mouth dropped open. “What?”

“Yup. There must’ve been a miscommunication. When he saw me make the rounds at the bachelor party, he approached and asked when I was gonna strip. He was disappointed when he found out I wasn’t going to.”

Oh my god, that was why Jesse had looked so disappointed at the party. “You stripped for me,” I pointed out.

He booped my nose. “You’re special, boy.”

I swallowed hard, unsure how to respond to the unexpected compliment. The kitchen fell silent except for the sizzle of the pan and the soft sounds of our breathing. As I watched Ellery cook, his movements sure and controlled, I felt that same surge of emotion from earlier. I was in so much trouble.

I shook off my reverie and focused on setting the table, trying to ignore the way my hands trembled as I laid out the plates and silverware. As I reached for the syrup, my hand brushed against Ellery’s. A jolt of electricity shot through me, and I nearly dropped the bottle. Ellery caught it smoothly, his fingers lingering on mine for a moment longer than necessary. “Careful there, butterfingers.”

“Hey, I’ll have you know I have very dexterous fingers, thank you very much.”

“Uh-huh,” Ellery said, not bothering to hide his amusement. “I’m sure you’re right.”

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