Page 15 of Temporary Santa's Knotty Workshop
I needed to be clever about this. So when I ran into him at the factory, I decided to play it off like we had a meeting. I didn’t out-and-out lie, but I’d hardly been clear. And because it was in front of others, I hoped he’d simply agree. And he had.
That was how I found myself on my way to pick him up in a rented sleigh, with Snowdrop sitting beside me, the fear that I’d messed things up beyond repair starting to seep in. I had a whole itinerary planned. The only question was whether he would accept me when I showed up or not.
“Now be good, Snowdrop. We want to have a good time with elf Willy.”
I had the sleigh stop in front of Willy’s building and got out with Snowdrop in tow.
A quick Google search had told me that sleigh rides were peak romance. Snowdrop didn’t pay me any mind, instead looking up at the doorknob, waiting for it to turn. When Willie opened the door, he was casually dressed, his hair still slightly damp. He didn’t look like he was going to work, and I took that as a plus.
“I hope you haven’t eaten yet.”
“I thought we were having a meeting.” Willy was always keeping me on my toes. These were definitely not work clothes, but also, meetings weren’t factory work, so maybe I’d misread the room… again. “Come in.”
At least it wasn’t a full-on rejection.
He stepped out of my way and squatted down to get some Snowdrop kisses. Who would have thought I’d be jealous of a dog?
“I couldn’t just ask you out with Chester there, being all… Chester?” The more I got to know Chester, the less I liked him. I couldn’t quite place what it was, but something felt off about him.
“So this is a date?” he clarified.
“I hope so.”
He stared at me, and I braced myself for rejection. Please don’t let him be rejecting me.
“Fine. I’ll go, but just so you know… I’m not one of those people who thinks dates are dinner out so that we can have an excuse to fuck.”
That was oddly specific. Had others treated him that way?
“Message received.”
He visibly relaxed. Yeah, I was missing some context there, and the longer I lingered on that thought, the worse my imagination got.
“Why don’t you dry your hair, and then we can leave. Don’t need you catching a cold.”
“Yes, Daddy,” he said as he walked into his bathroom.
Firstsir, nowDaddy.He needed to cut it out, because I couldn’t handle these nicknames.
He came out a few minutes later, coat, mittens, hat, and scarf on. He was ready.
“Let’s go.”
“Do you mind if Snowdrop comes along for at least the first part?” If he wanted a dog-free night, I’d bring them home.
“No, Snowdrop’s fabulous. I’d love them to come.”
When I first found my furry companion, I’d hoped I was wrong about them being abandoned. That the silly pup had just gotten away from somebody and I’d be able to reunite them quickly. But so far, no one has recognized my sweetie at all, and I’d tried all the avenues I could think of. Now my hope was that no one claimed them so they could be my partner in crime from here on out.
Willie and I took the long way via the sleigh ride. It was fun, but cold. I was happy when we reached our destination.
We walked hand in hand toward a Christmas-ornament festival. From the sound of things, this place wasalwayshaving a festival, and today’s was all about the tree ornament. There were trees from around the world, all decorated with the kinds of ornaments people there might have. There were also make-and-take stations and places where you could buy from other elves, as well as craftsmen selling their own ornaments, and of course, food.
“This is really neat. I had to work last year during the festival,” he said.
He slowly circled a tree that was covered with all natural ornaments, from berries to nuts to apples. “I love the simplicity of this one, it somehow makes it… I don’t know… more meaningful.”
“I hadn’t thought of it that way. You’re right.” I placed my hand on his lower back.
