Page 78 of Christmas Wishes

Old wounds die hard.

Instead of a text message, I saw a notification of a new Instagram follower: KeatonInAZ. A smile broke out over my face. Well, hot damn, Keaton had figured out his username. I couldn’t wait to see his videos take the internet by storm.

I read the username again and blinked as it sank in.

Keaton. In. AZ.

Arizona.

I’d missed the second Instagram notification that said @KeatonInAZ had tagged me in a story. I nearly got hit by a car dropping someone off at departures in my haste to tap the screen.

To avoid any further accidents, I stopped inside the airport entrance and moved to the side, out of people’s way. Keaton’s beautiful face filled my screen. He wore the coat I’d bought him and the same minimal makeup he’d had on when he’d left the house earlier.

“Hi! I’m Keaton. Well, Keaton in Arizona. The Arizona part is new for me. I’m from Minneapolis and ended up in Northern Arizona for a couple of weeks. I fell in love with the place and the people.” He glanced down and smiled. When he looked back at the camera, the love in his eyes stole my breath. “I’ve been wanting to make an account to talk about makeup looks, skincare, and how beauty intersects with queerness. I also have a new crochet hobby.” He showed off the scarf he’d been working on all week. “And now I’m moving to Arizona to take a chance on love. So, follow this account if you’re interested in beauty, and stick around if you’re interested in the rest of my journey. Bye for now! I’ve got a man to get to.” He winked before the video ended.

“Think KeatonInAZ has a good ring to it?”

I snapped my head up at Keaton’s voice. He stood several feet away from me with a confident smile. People funneled in and out of the airport around us.

My heart threatened to float away at the sight of him. “I think it’s perfect. I think you’re perfect.”

“I’m not perfect, you silly man.”

“You’re perfect for me.”

* * *

KEATON

If it wasn’t so fucking cold, I would’ve melted into a puddle on the spot.Perfect for me.Swoon!

“Why are you here?” I stepped closer to him.

Riggs closed the distance, dragging a nondescript black rolling suitcase behind him. “I bought a flight.”

“In the mood for a Hawaiian vacation? Nice place to spend the holiday.” I smirked.

“I bought a last-minute flight to Minneapolis with about a thousand layovers. I’m supposed to get there tomorrow afternoon. Why are you on this side of security? Forget something in your rental car?”

His teasing grin sent flutters through my stomach. “I cancelled my flight so I could go find this sexy man I met on vacation and tell him he gives me the best orgasms. Oh, and that I’m falling in love with him.”

Before I got the last word out, Riggs wrapped his arms around me and pulled me in for a deep kiss that earned us a catcall and a few whistles. When Riggs pulled back, it took me a few moments to get my bearings. Hot damn, the man could kiss.

“What about your family and Christmas?” Riggs cupped my cheeks and searched my eyes.

“I want to be with you on Christmas. My family will understand.” And if I got my Christmas wish, Riggs might become my family.

“I can’t believe you stayed.” He let out a laugh that sounded free and happy.

“I can’t believe you were coming to get me. That’s so fucking sexy.”

Riggs grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers. “Santa worked quickly to fulfill my Christmas wish.”

“Mine too.” I kissed him again. “I can’t wait to tell Arlo.”

Riggs laughed. “Call him on the way home. We should call Doris too.”

“I also need to call my mom.” I grimaced.

---