Page 44 of Christmas with the Baby Daddy

18

ZACH

Yesterday, when I went on a whim to shoot some hoops with Cole at Vernford’s gym, he asked if I’d go to the holiday ordeal downtown. I hadn’t planned on it. It seemed too people-y for someone with borderline social anxiety like me.

It seemed that making impulsive choices was becoming my style, though. Last night with Blake hadn’t been planned.

And as I parked at the festival area at dusk and got out, I realized I was making another impromptu decision to come here and hang out with him. I didn’t want to socialize, but coming to walk around with Cole should be tolerable.

Honestly, nothing could bring me down after sleeping with Blake. Waking up in her arms had restored me. Like a cliché Christmas miracle. I wasn’t so stupid as to believe this would last, though. She was still skittish. It made sense for her to hide me this morning, but I felt like I was missing something at the same time. Almost like there was an extra element of panic she was battling with the idea of her friend and son seeing that I’d spent the night there.

Stop overthinking it.

Cole waved at me from where he was walking through a big tent. He’d texted that I could find him there since the elementary school had a little booth in this children’s area.

“Hey,” he greeted.

“Hey there,” I replied. “Quite a crowd here.”

“Yeah, they usually are.”

I wouldn’t know. It seemed like they’d only started this event as a tradition in the last couple of years.

“I hope it’s not too crowded that I can’t get a hot cocoa,” he complained good-naturedly.

I shrugged and gave him a small, mild smile to be polite. “Want to go see?”

“Yeah.” He furrowed his brow as we walked. “You sure seem happy and relaxed.” He glanced at me again and huffed a laugh. “I can’t believe I’d use this word, but what’s got you sochipper?” He brandished his hand at the décor and overwhelming Christmas spirit that had thrown up all over town.

I ducked under a long streamer of red and green as we exited the tent. I didn’t make a habit to kiss and tell, but I couldn’t hide the grin that came with the thought of what made me brighter today. I had been bored and listless at home, but I hadn’t suffered from such a morose and depressive state of mind, for once.

Because of Blake.

Because I felt… more whole.

Grounded.

Wanted.

Needed.

“Come on, man,” Cole teased. “What gives?”

I gave in and said, “I hooked up with Blake last night.”

He almost tripped on a stake holding a rope anchoring the tent. The red and white tape winding around a safety cone made it look like a moveable decoration, not a device intended to keep people from tripping on the stake. “You what?”

“Blake and I…” I shrugged. I didn’t want to repeat it. Anyone could be listening in and I liked my private life just that—private.

“Huh.” His brows shot up as he walked along the tent with me.

“What?”

“I’m surprised.”

“Why?” I furrowed my brow at him.

“Well, because Blake doesn’t date much. Or ever. Nor does she have flings.” He glanced up at me. “She’s always so busy with George, being a single mom, and she’s a good mom, present and attentive without hovering. But her work hours aren’t the easiest, often away at nighttime and on the weekends.”

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