Page 6 of My Secret Snowflake
“I plastered the accounting room with posters about this Secret Snowflake exchange, so I hope Aaron signs up—and I draw his name. I can give him a romantic dinner date for two,” Jazmine says. She’s had a crush on Aaron in Accounting for the past year.
“As long as you’re one of the two,” I say.
“I would be. Given the $30 spending limit, it would have to be me making a home-cooked meal for the two of us.”
“Very clever,” I say.
Whoever gets her as his or her Secret Snowflake will be lucky.
We meander over to the center table, which is full of home-baked goods and breakfast pastries. I pour myself a mug of hot chocolate and take a slice of Jazmine’s delicious chocolate babka. It’s her grandmother’s recipe. Croissants and bagels fill out the breakfast spread.
“Isn’t there anyone who interests you?” Jazmine asks. “What about Sebastian? He was quick to jump in and rescue you at the retreat two weeks ago. You guys looked cozy together when you were talking that night.”
I can feel my cheeks redden. “That was before I saw him at my friend Tessa’s engagement party and realized he is the Sebastian who has sworn to remain forever single. I definitely don’t want to pursue a guy who wants to remain single. What fun is that?”
“That seems a waste,” Jazmine says.
I laugh. “It’s such a waste.” I take a bite of the babka. “This is so good, Jazmine.”
“Thank you,” Jazmine says. “Do you know why he doesn’t date?”
“I don’t know. Lily doesn’t know either. Some bro code. Her boyfriend just says Sebastian has his reasons.”
“If I wasn’t interested in Aaron, I’d take that as a challenge.” Jazmine raises her eyebrow at me.
I shake my head. “I take it as a red flag. He was so hurt by someone in the past that he’s firmly declared that he’s a fortress now.”
“Hmm…except that sounds like someone else I know. Patrick wasn’t worthy of you, and he’s not worthy of being the reason you’ve taken a hiatus from dating.”
“I haven’t declared I’m a fortress.”
“But you’re not dating right now?” Jazmine shakes her head, the bell on her hat jingling.
“That was because of work. I’m definitely looking for a certain type of guy.” The opposite of Patrick. What had I been thinking? Patrick always complained when I had to work late on the nights he didn’t perform. Now I’m looking for a guy who supports my career wholeheartedly. The plan is to be absolutely systematic and rational when choosing whom I next date and vet him properly before tumbling into any romantic entanglements. “And I live with my parents. I can’t exactly bring a guy home and then it’s ‘meet my parents’ for breakfast. And if I call them up to tell them I’m not coming home, they’ll give me the third degree about how well I know this man etc.”
The room is filling up with more of our coworkers, and we retreat to a corner by the tree. I breathe in the pine scent. Maybe I should buy myself a small tree for my bedroom since I won’t be decorating my own apartment this year. Still, the goal is to have my own place by the new year, once I get my bonus.
“What type of guy? Any possibilities from the office?”
“I don’t want to date someone at work. Lily has a guy in mind from the library; he often comes in there to read. She just has to think of some way to bring it up.”
“I hope you get Sebastian,” she says. “You might be just the one to melt the ice fortress guarding his heart.”
“If I see him again at a friend’s party, maybe I’ll try to figure out his deal.”
“I can’t believe you guys have friends in common and you never met before he helped you through that window.”
“Shh. That’s a statement very much prone to misinterpretation,” I say.
“Or not.” Jazmine winks. “There was some definite heat. I was surprised whenhevolunteered to help.”
“I think we win the workaholics award,” I say. “But that engagement party was the one event we both couldn’t miss.”
“Well, your free time was also committed to attending Patrick’s concerts.”
My stomach clenches. I tried so hard.And for what?
Amelia announces that the Secret Snowflake exchange is now open for sign-ups and explains the rules. “Happiest of holidays to everyone!”
