Page 18 of Texting My Secret Santa

“I don’t know,” she shrugs. “My guy seems determined not to give me any gift ideas. He’s a real Grinch.”

“People have reasons for not enjoying the holidays.”

“I know. Bad stuff happens even this time of year and can leave a mark.”

Is that a hint about my ex? Dan must’ve told her she broke up with me around Christmas. “Are we talking generally here, Snowflake?”

She laughs. “Snowflake? Where did that come from?”

It’s a valid question. The last thing I should do is start giving her cute nicknames, especially when I’ve already given her one. Miss Goody Two-shoes, but she doesn’t know that’s me.

“It seems to fit,” I say, against my better judgment. “At this time of year, you seem to …” Shut up, Asher. “… sparkle, and you’re uniquely enthusiastic.”

“Well, thanks. I’ll take it. Yeah, I was speaking generally. Why, what did you think?”

I shrug. “I was wondering if Dan told you what happened to me last Christmas.”

“Yeah, he did, but I wasn’t speaking about your ex; I promise. It’s none of my business.”

The topic seems closed, then; it’s probably for the best. I don’t need to justify or explain to Holly, especially when she’s flirting with another man. Sure, this “other man” is me, but she’s unaware of that. I’ve got no right to be jealous or possessive, but I feel that way.

Sure, I could tell her the truth anytime I wanted. That would make things more complicated, not less.

“How are you feeling about this?” she asks.

“With Snowflake at my side? We’re going to kick this Christmas tree’s ass.”

She laughs. It’s just as sweet as she is.

CHAPTER 7

HOLLY

My life has changed a lot since the Secret Santa thing started. I’ve gone from not havinganyromantic interest to suddenly having two. I’m not sure that’s a fair way to think of it.

Asher is hot, muscular, funny, and charming when he wants to be. He’s everything a girl could want, even if being with him is impossible. Not only is he Dan’s best friend, he’s also a senior in the company. I deal with enough nepotism crap without addingthat.

My Secret Santa is a stranger, and he’s not Asher.

So no, I haven’t got two romantic interests. Just two people messing with my head, and the only one I could imagine being with is off the table.

I decide to take my advice: fake it until I make it.

I switch on the radio. Of course, holiday music is playing—“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” Asher’s hands seem to tighten on the steering wheel of his sports car. He hasn’tchanged out of his work clothes, a dark blue suit jacket draping off his annoyingly alluring frame.

“Don’t you like this one?” I ask.

“Not really,” he murmurs.

“I can turn it off.”

“No. I need to get used to this time of year. Can’t be a baby forever.”

I hate how he talks about daring to have emotions like it’s a bad thing. It’s as if he thinks he needs to make light of any sign of weakness.

“What’s wrong, Snowflake?”

This time, when he uses the new nickname, it’s with the same tone he used when we were kids, and he would call melittle directorand stuff like that. But it doesn’t bother me. I kind of like it when he teases me. It gives me the motivation to get him back.

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