Page 13 of Christmas of Convenience

She shrugs and grins as though she’s enjoying my pain. “You sent this to me a few hours ago. I tried calling you so you could rescind it before Mom saw, but… she got it, too. I figured you accidentally sent it to everyone on your contact list, just like you did that meme you sent to Heather last month. The one with the dancing chickens.”

I glance down at my phone to see that I did, in fact, send the text that was meant for Heather to every person on my contact list. It’s not a group chat, so Heather couldn’t warn me. It’s a copied text, and it went to every single person I know.

My eyes are hot and the desperation to hide is overwhelming every other sense I have.

Sam laughs. “What the fuck are you talking about? I wouldn’t come to a party on hire.”

My sister stiffens. “Obviously you did.”

“No. I didn’t. I met your sister online a few months back. She wanted to know more about the tree farm, and we had a lot in common, so we kept talking. I’ve never met anyone more incredible.” Sam looks toward me, and though I know he’s trying to save me from the most embarrassing moment of my life, I don’t think it’s going to work.

“Yeah, okay…” My sister hitches her hip. “Then what’s the text all about?”

Sam wrinkles his brows. “A lot like that meme, it was a joke between two friends.”

“How exactly is that a joke?”

My sister is such a bitch. I see that now more than ever. I would never do this to her, not on my worst day.

“Honestly, it’s none of your business,” Sam groans as though he’s annoyed.

“Heather and I had been making the joke for weeks that you’d think I hired Sam because he was so hot, and because you’ve got something smart ass to say about everything I do.”

I shake my head toward my sister as though I’m disappointed in her, tuck my hand into Sam’s, and make my way into the barn where my parents are stood in the corner still talking to a couple I don’t recognize.

“You okay?” Sam’s hand is on my lower back and his gaze is on me gently, as though he wants to make everything better.

“Not really. I hate lying.”

“Why are you lying?”

I stare up at him, my forehead wrinkled. “I did hire you, we aren’t dating, and—”

“We could be.”

I roll my eyes. “Look, as much as I appreciate you standing up for me, let’s be real. This would never work. We’re complete opposites, and whatever we were feeling today will dissipate eventually, until someday in the near future when you look at me and wonder why the hell you ever settled.”

“No,” he smiles and holds my hands in his as the country band in the back plays their honky-tonk rendition of Rudolf, “I know it sounds all fluffy and shit, but today was fate. We’re supposed to be together, Jen. And if I have to haul you over my shoulder, and take you over my knee to prove it, I will.”

A twinge of excitement rolls through me with that thought. I’d love to be over his knee, taking whatever kind of punishments he’s dolling out.

“So, what happens tonight? How about tomorrow?”

“Well, you trust me?”

I draw in a deep breath and nod. “Sure.”

With a smile, he takes my hand and drags me through the crowd of people all dressed in Christmas sweaters and holding cups of hot cocoa. I see now why the man smells like pine. This barn is a wonderland of forest scents.

When we reach the stage, he waits for a break in the music then climbs up and takes the microphone from the lead singer’s hand. They mumble an exchange of words that I can’t hear from where I’m standing. And though my pulse had started to return to normal, it’s skyrocketing quickly now.

“Hey, Merry Christmas everybody. I’m Sam. My family has owned this tree farm for over a hundred years now, and every year we have a huge Christmas Eve party just like this.” He glances down at me. “One hundred years, but this year is different. How many of you have fallen in love?”

The crowd cheers and hands go up.

“And how many of you fell so fast that you didn’t see it coming?”

The crowd cheers and more hands go up.

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