Page 26 of The Lair

Jude’s still smiling as he looks from me to Travis. “Never thought I’d see the day, Ward.”

The only response poor Jude gets is a grunt.

Charlie reappears with a pen and five pieces of paper. “This is how we’re gonna do it,” he starts, leaning on the bar to write something down. “I’m writing one name on each piece of paper. Then we’ll put them inside my hat, and finally we’ll take turns picking one. But you can’t share the name with anyone else, otherwise it’s no fun.”

“What happens if we get our own name?” Jude asks.

“You show everyone, so we make sure you’re not cheating, and then you grab another one.”

“I’m so excited,” Sandra says, sending me a wide smile I can’t help but mimic.

I’ve heard of Secret Santa before, but I’ve never played. Jada and Paul aren’t big on gifts, and years ago, we decided not to send one another any Christmas or birthday presents. At this point in my life, a phone call or a hug means way more than anymaterial good could. But I can’t say I’m not excited to make and receive a gift soon, even if it sounds shallow.

Maybe I should start being unapologetic about the things that make me happy, no matter how silly they might sound to others.

Charlie grabs the wool hat he was wearing this morning and tosses the papers inside. He turns to Sandra and bows dramatically. “My lady.”

“Careful, kid,” Jude growls, but we all know he’s joking. Mostly.

Sandra giggles as her hand disappears inside the hat. She takes out one of the scrunched papers and reads the name on it. “Oh! I love this. Okay.”

He turns to me, holding out the hat. “Allie Cat.”

My heart races as I reach for a piece of paper. It’s not that I want to pick up the one with Travis’s name on it or anything, but a few days ago, I saw the most perfect socks with bears on them, and I would die if I saw boss man wearing them.

My fingers shake slightly as I unfold the paper, and I don’t focus too much on the way my stomach drops when I see Jude’s name. I like Jude, and weirdly enough, I know exactly what to get him.

I give Charlie a nod. “I’m good.”

He moves on to Jude, and when he gets to Travis, the tank-sized man shakes his head. “I’ll get the last one.”

“You sure, boss?” Charlie arches a questioning eyebrow. Travis doesn’t repeat himself. “All right.”

When he reads the name on his paper, he chuckles and passes the hat to Travis. I’m not ashamed to admit I watch his face like a hawk as he grabs the last piece of paper and unfolds it carefully. But his expression gives nothing away.

“Remember, we’re working with a fifteen-dollar budget, so no need to go over-the-top. We’ll do the gift exchange onChristmas Eve after closing time. Any questions?” Charlie asks, but nobody has any. “Cool. And keep your Secret Santa, well, a secret.”

He winks at me, and I shake my head in amusement. He really isn’t subtle at all, so I’m guessing his piece of paper has my name on it. Knowing him, he’ll get me some carrot cake for laughs. I wouldn’t complain.

Sandra gives my arm a squeeze as she passes me by. “See you tomorrow, dear. Have a good night.”

“You guys too.” I wave at her and Jude as they disappear into the dark street.

Charlie comes up to me before leaving. “My friends and I are getting together this weekend after work,” he says with a hint of hopefulness in his voice, as if we both didn’t know what my answer was going to be. “It’s gonna be chill, on a pub by the lake. I’d love to see you there.”

I give him an apologetic look. “Char…”

“Come on, Allie Cat. It’s almost Christmas.” His excitement doesn’t wear off, which is impressive, given how I always turn him away. “Unless you have other plans?”

My eyes travel past Charlie and land on Travis, who is busy cleaning the already-clean counter. He’s not looking at me, but I know he’s listening.

“I don’t,” I tell him truthfully.

“Does that mean you’ll think about it?”

Will I actually think about it? I can’t remember the last time I went to a party—in fact, I don’t think I ever have. Not a real adult one anyway. Not a party I wanted to attend.

In the past, I’ve made plenty of against-my-will appearances at social gatherings and get-togethers my parents forced me to put on a fake smile for, but I don’t remember ever enjoying myself at any of them. Probably because every word I said, every move I made, had to be measured and perfect for the camera.

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