Page 75 of Sexted By Santa
Jaxson gave a jagged laugh and ran a gloved hand over his stocking cap. “Probably telling Santa all the gifts she wants this year. I hope she’s not too disappointed come Christmas morning.”
I shot him a look. “Because she won’t get everything she wants?”
“Not by half.”
“Most children have a list a mile-long, don’t they? It’s not unusual.”
Jaxson sighed. “Maybe not. But most kids have more family. Tori’s only got me. It makes for an underwhelming Christmas morning at times.”
I stepped between him and Tori to make eye contact. “Hey, not all kids have a great dad.Thatmakes for a disappointing Christmas. Toys aren’t everything.”
His gaze flickered between me and his daughter. “I know.” His voice was quiet. “She’s had a tough couple of months. I just want her to have everything she wants.”
“Of course you do.” I grasped his hand, squeezing once. “You give her more than you realize. She’ll be happy on Christmas because she’ll be with you.”
He smiled, a little chagrined. “You’re right. I’m being maudlin. Tori’s happy, and today’s been a good day. Speaking of…I should go fetch her so other kids can have a turn.”
I laughed, watching him dash in to extract his precocious daughter. Behind me a voice called out. “Professor Kringle?”
Turning, I spotted a familiar face at one of the booths. Rhett Hayes stood at a table with a banner for Oasis Wildlife Refuge. Beside him, a slender man about his age held up greeting cards featuring animals for passersby to see.
I crossed to their booth. “Rhett, how are you doing?”
“Good.” He smiled. “Classes have been going well.”
Rhett had come to me for advisement when he’d realized he wasn’t happy with his major of computer science. He wanted to transition to marketing, but it meant playing catch up. I’d helped him work out a schedule and plan an alternate path toward graduation.
“Happy with the change in major?”
“I am. Thanks for all your help.”
My heart swelled. I loved advising students—when I could help them. Thankfully, Rhett was an easier case than Jaxson had been. There was nothing I could do to help Jaxson, and I realized that was one of the reasons I’d been so frustrated with our meeting.
Rhett waved a hand to the guy at his side. “This is my boyfriend, Ethan. He’s actually the genius who suggested I might be happier in marketing.”
Ethan laughed, cheeks going pink. “He gives me too much credit.”
They were cute together, smiling and teasing as we made small talk. I envied their easy rapport, the messages they seemed to send with their eyes without speaking a word. Jaxson and I were just beginning a relationship—but I hoped one day we’d be just as comfortable with one another.
Jaxson came up beside me. “Tori wants to go see the Live Nativity and listen to the church choir sing Christmas songs. I know caroling isn’t your cup of tea, so if you want to wait here…”
“No, I’ll go,” I said.
How quickly I’d gotten over my aversion to holiday music when it meant more time in Jaxson and Tori’s company.
“It was nice seeing you, Rhett. I’m so glad to hear you’re on a good path now.”
“Thanks for all the help,” he said, gaze slipping past me to Jaxson and Tori. “Have a good day with your family.”
“Oh, they’re not—”
“And here!” He grabbed one of the greeting cards and held it out to Tori. “Perhaps you’d like one of these to give to a loved one? On the house, of course.”
Tori looked down at the card, which had a photo of a squirrel holding a chestnut, then glanced at the cards spread across the table. She pointed. “Can I have that one instead?”
“Tori,” Jaxson said in exasperation. “It’s a gift. You say thank you and accept it graciously.”
Ethan picked up the card she’d pointed to and handed it to her. “Another lizard lover? I approve.”
