Page 63 of Here Comes Santa Paws

Before Elias wiggled his way into my world, I would’ve avoided this type of event like the plague. A room filled with people I didn’t know and Christmas music playing? Hard pass. At best, I would’ve kept my head down and grabbed a coffee to go.

He took all social pressure off me, which was the opposite of what I would expect around someone like him. I thought I’d feel on display, but once again, I was wrong.

Elias returned with an over-the-top concoction that belonged inHome Aloneonce the kid had full access to the kitchen. I couldn’t even see the cocoa in Elias’s cup because of the inch of whipped cream and red-and-green sprinkles filling every nook and cranny between the pile of marshmallows.

“Is there any cocoa in there, or is the cup full of whipped cream?”

Elias huffed indignantly. “There’s cocoa. I also got us a chai cinnamon bun to split, but only if you stop making fun of me.”

My grin grew with his defensiveness. Teasing Elias was fun.

The marzipan latte was surprisingly delicious. I’d always had a soft spot for almond flavors.

After Elias took a long drink of his cocoa, a whipped cream mustache remained. It was so fucking cute and it took an immense amount of restraint to stop myself from leaning across the table to lick it off him. Instead, I did the worst thing possible.

“I got invited to a second-round interview.”

“Oh. Wow.” Elias swallowed and forced a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Congratulations, Roman. Of course they liked you. Who wouldn’t?”

It took me a moment to find my voice. Instead of leaving, putting distance between us, accusing me of leading him on, or saying anything hurtful, Elias’s instinct was to support me.

I flashed back to that day in fifth grade when I told Warren that I was moving away. The sadness in his eyes was apparent, but he’d rallied and told me we’d write letters to each other. He’d even said it could be fun because he could visit me and get to see a new place. Warren was like Elias—always seeing the bright side of things. Leaving Warren had been the hardest thing I’d had to do as a kid. Leaving Elias would be a hundred times worse.

“Thanks.” I tried to infuse the simple word with more emotion than I could express in that moment—maybe ever.

Elias inhaled a long breath, then smiled. “When’s the next interview?”

“The twenty-third. In Tucson.”

Elias’s eyes widened, but he didn’t say anything.

“They’re wrapping up interviews by Christmas and hoping the person they select will start in the new year.”

His mouth formed anO. I couldn’t blame him. I’d been surprised by the timeline mentioned in the interview email I received that morning.

“What about moving?”

That was the big question. I took a fortifying gulp of my coffee. It was easier for me to have this conversation with strangers around, but my stomach heaved at the realization that it was probably the opposite for Elias. I had the protection of anonymity, but Elias probably knew half the people in this room and had to maintain a brave face so he didn’t have people rushing over to ask what was wrong.

I’m such a fucking fool.

“If I get the job, it would happen quickly.”

I nearly missed Elias’s brief wince. “So you plan to accept if you get the offer?”

I blinked and replayed my words, and yeah, I supposed I’d implied that. Frankly, I hadn’t considered not accepting. It was the position I’d been trying to move into for several years, and there was no use lying. “Most likely, yes.”

“I get it. It’s your dream job.” Half his mouth lifted into a tame smile.

God, he was trying so hard for me.

“Will you be down there for Christmas?”

I found myself nodding absently as I thought about it. “It would be a good time to check out the area and look for places to live. I don’t really celebrate anyway, and my parents are in Washington right now, so I’m on my own.”

Why did it feel like I was landing targeted blows at his weak points? If I were in Christmas Falls, I wouldn’t be alone. I knew Elias and Jim would fold me into their plans like they had at Thanksgiving. But I wasn’t sure my heart could take anotherholiday together—Elias’s favorite holiday at that—if I were going to be driving away from our duplex for the last time only days later.

Elias’s excessive nodding mirrored my own, and his eyes scanned the table like he was running through a mental list. “I’ll take care of Carol while you’re gone. I’ll set up a nice nesting spot for her in my extra bedroom in case she goes into labor.”

---