Page 9 of Not Like Christmas At All
___
Resisting the urge to kick my feet and squeal, I carry my phone into my bedroom and sit down on the edge of my bed.
Subject: Only Here for the Weekend
Let’s see how caroling goes first.
Any interest in grabbing hot chocolate before we sing our hearts out? At Perk Up? 6:30?
Message received
Subject: Only Here for the Weekend
That sounds perfect. I’ll see you then, Noelle.
___
Exiting the app, I toggle over to my phone's search engine and input his name. Sure enough, the top website is the homepage to the Bridge Point Bears.
Liam Waggoneris,in fact, who he says he is.
A mild wave of guilt hits me square in the chest knowing I’m lying about my name, but it’s not too late to be truthful when we’re face to face.
I’ll feel him out. See if he gives good guy vibes, or if he’s a secret serial killer.
Either way, I feel a rush of endorphins knowing I’ll have a date for caroling. Maybe it’ll help combat the jealousy I know I’ll feel seeing Lincoln with a date of his own.
Chapter Three
There’s an incessant beat in my chest, thundering like it may explode at any second, as I pull open the door to Perk Up a couple days later. Work has been insane—that winter storm hit intensely, rain coming down in sideways sheets that didn’t let up for several long, dreary days. Coffee with Liam, after getting to know each other better over text, is a welcome distraction.
Stepping inside, the warmth from the shop drifts around me like an embrace as my eyes scan around, looking for the man I’m supposed to meet.
I was hoping I’d be early so I wouldn’t have to be the one to seek him out, but it seems like my punctuality is no match for his. As I look across the room, I easily find Liam Waggoner, team doctor for the freaking Bears, already sitting at a table with two steaming to-go-mugs in front of him.
I read no less than eight articles about him and the team, and I’m a little ashamed to admit it makes me even more nervous. It feels like I’m about to go on a date with a celebrity.
As though he can sense me, he looks up, eyes immediately finding mine, and a bright grin appears across his face. Like a gentleman, he stands as I approach the table.
“Hi,” he greets, his eyes roving my body unabashedly. “Wow, Noelle. You’re even more beautiful in person.”
Not wanting to continue the ruse of a fake name throughout our whole date, I shake my head. “Actually, my real name is Genesis. Gen, for short.”
“Ah.” He nods slowly, still smiling wide. “I figured it was either a fake name, or your parents were just super into Christmas.”
“Well, the latter isn’t too far off, but I’m afraid my real name isn’t as festive.”
He rounds the table, pulling out my chair for me. “Well, Genesis is a beautiful name. I hope you don’t mind” –he raises his to-go mug– “I grabbed your hot chocolate already.”
There’s a flicker of concern in my gut as I take my seat, looking down at the drink he easily could have spiked. I don’t know him, and my instincts tell me to refuse the drink, but my manners tell me?—
“Oh, shit. I wasn’t thinking.” Liam picks the drink up, never making it back to his chair. “Let me order you another so you can see them make it.”
My eyes snap to his in surprise. “Oh, that’s?—”
“No,” he cuts me off again. “I have a sister, and I would never want her to accept a drink from someone without seeing it made. It doesn’t matter if it’s alcohol or hot chocolate.”
Wow.“Thank you.”
