Page 32 of My Secret Snowflake
I glance at Sebastian in consternation.We didn’t concoct a story.
“We met at work,” Sebastian says.
“Were there sparks immediately?” the woman asks.
I definitely thought he was attractive the first time I saw him.
As I’m about to say no, Sebastian says, “Definitely a spark, but we were work colleagues, so it took a bit of maneuvering. Good luck with the competition. Lovely to meet you.”
“Well handled,” I say. We walk away as Sebastian pulls out the next envelope.
“It’s always best to stick as close to the truth as possible.” He reads the next clue out loud.
Were there sparks for Sebastian when he first met me?The kernel of truth is probably just that we’re work colleagues. I glance at his face, but he’s opening the next envelope. He reads aloud the clue:
“Nobody who did this Charleston dance in the 1940s ever ended up in the ER.”
“What could that be? Should we google names of Charleston dances in the 1940s?” I ask.
“There’s the Charleston stroll,” said Sebastian. “Ending with ER, that would be a stroller.”
“Good sleuthing. How do you know about the Charleston stroll?”
“Dance classes in high school. My mom said no son of hers was not going to know how to dance. I can’t say I’ve found it incredibly useful yet, but at least I’m finally able to answer a clue on this scavenger hunt.” He grins. He looks so boyish and happy.
“I’m sure your dancing skills have scored you points with women,” I say.
Sebastian’s lips curve up. “Maybe.” He leans forward and whispers into my ear, “But I know not to kiss and tell.”
I shiver as his breath tickles my neck. I refuse to let him see that he’s affected me.
“I’m relieved to hear that.” I change the subject. “My dad loves the waltz. We sometimes have waltz nights at the bar. Very crowded waltz nights. I hope they ask you to do the Charleston stroll at the end. As proof we didn’t just google the answer.”
“Maybe for bonus points?” Sebastian looked at her. “It’s a lively dance, but it doesn’t require a partner. I prefer dances with a partner.”
He’s definitely flirting. Which isn’t fair.
He grabs my hand, and we race over to the stroller section. I take a picture of Sebastian behind a stroller. Wow. It’s not that I want kids immediately, but he does look sexy wheeling around a baby buggy.
I rip open clue number 4.
“You used to cuddle with your husband, but now you cuddle with this.”
“That’s rather depressing,” Sebastian says. “What could that be? Is that the baby?”
“No, it’s a pregnancy support pillow. What section of the store do you think that will be in?”
“Bedding and décor?”
“It’s harder figuring out the location than figuring out the clues,” I say.
“Speak for yourself. I would have had to google almost everything, and I would’ve never figured out this one,” Sebastian says.
“Let’s ask an associate.”
The sales associate directs us to the maternal accessories section. We jog over there. I hold up the body pillow. The snakelike pillow shaped like an upside-down U is two-thirds of my height.
Sebastian looks stunned. “Is there even any room for the guy in the bed once that’s in there?”
