Page 8 of Once Upon a December
“Of course, Gibson.” His own name rolled off Felix’s tongue in a way that made him ache to hear it again but he didn’t flinch, blink, budge or move and the other man nodded, “Let’s get started.”
For the next forty minutes, Felix talked to him. He didn’t talk at him as so many people did. He talked to Gibson. He threw out ideas and asked for Gibson to give him feedback. When he was greeted with approval he smiled and continued on, his excitement growing and becoming obvious in his voice as he painted the picture of a grand ballroom decked out for the holidays in gold and white. When Gibson nixed an idea, Felix didn’t pout or try to talk him out of the decision, he simply scribbled a note into the journal he’d pulled from his bag and switched gears with another suggestion. He never seemed to run out of ideas and Gibson found himself more and more entranced with the man as his light and energy shone through in his love for his chosen profession.
He had no doubts that Felix Michaelson was indeed very good at what he did. The man loved his job. That much was obvious. From talking through the mechanics of room flow and food quantities to the pomp and circumstance of VIP tables and allotted time for speeches, his attention to detail was flawless. After years of half-heartedly listening as party planner after party planner droned through their presentations and then signing off without ever really knowing what the event would look or feel like, Gibson was shocked to find himself so involved in the process.
It was Felix, he realized. He drew Gibson like a moth to a flame. He smiled and eased and coaxed Gibson into the discussion. He was so enthusiastic that even Gibson, the self-identified Grinch who hated Christmas, couldn’t help but get lost a little in the plans for champagne and cake and classic holiday carolers.
He was so caught up in fact that the buzz of the intercom on his desk made him jump in surprise. He felt his cheeks heat and quickly looked away from Felix who had been interrupted mid-sentence. He felt a little bit embarrassed; as if he’d been caught doing something he shouldn’t, which was beyond silly. He was in a meeting with an employee. That was all. The system buzzed again and then the room went silent.
“That was Julian.” Gibson cleared his throat, “Reminding me to wrap things up or I’ll be late for my next appointment.”
“Oh.” Felix looked a little bit crestfallen as he glanced at his watch, “Has it been an hour already?”
“I’m afraid it has.”
“Time flies when you’re having fun, huh?” Felix’s smile returned quick and easy and playful and Gibson chuckled despite himself, the words slipping from his tongue before he could bite them back.
“I’ll blame it on the good company.”
Felix practically beamed, “Your company isn’t so bad either, Gibson.”
Gibson felt that now familiar tug in his gut and cursed inwardly. It wasn’t just in his head, was it? Felix had been more than just friendly throughout their meeting. He’d risen to Gibson’s bait time and time again and his answers had almost always been laced with unspoken innuendo. He’d told himself that he was reading too much into the words, into the smiles and interactions. He’d told himself there was no way that Felix Michaelson was flirting with him but there it was again, that sweet, sexy smile and that warm, lingering look of interest.
He cleared his throat, “Is your wife due over the holidays?”
“My… what?!?” Felix’s eyes grew as big as a cartoon and he fumbled putting his journal back into his bag.
“I’m sorry. I assumed… your girlfriend then?”
Felix stared at him for a long moment, eyes wide and mouth slightly ajar. And then he laughed. He laughed and the sound was loud and boisterous and full of energy just like the man himself. It was infectious too and despite his confusion and his warring emotions, Gibson found himself smiling when the other man finally reined himself in enough to grin at him.
“Gibson.” He shook his head slowly, “If that’s your way of asking if I’m seeing someone, it could use some work.”
“What? I… No.” He felt his own words fumble, “I wasn’t…”
“You were.” Felix’s grin widened.
“The woman from yesterday.” He tried desperately to defend his question. “There was a pregnant woman with you yesterday.”
“Yes, at my parents house. My oldest sister, Roxanne is pregnant with her third child and due in a few weeks.” Felix’s grin turned wicked, “She may have looked like my wife because she was berating me for confronting you but I assure you, even if she wasn’t my sister… she’s not at all my type, if you know what I mean.”
Gibson felt his cheeks heat when Felix shot him a blatant wink. Shit. His heart thumped too hard and his blood heated again. Felix had been right of course. He’d thrown the question out in an attempt to remind them both of the distance they should keep. Even with his theory that Felix was a married man, and straight, being shot straight to hell, Gibson shouldn’t entertain any thoughts of the two of them together.
They were too different. He was too jaded. Felix was too young and carefree to deal with all of the family drama and bullshit that Gibson brought to the table. There was a reason none of his relationships had ever worked. There was no use even considering what being with a man like Felix would be like because it would never happen. They were colleagues now, co-workers, and Gibson was, in effect, Felix’s temporary boss until after the party at the end of the month.
Nothing could happen between them even if the looks they’d shared and the heat that sparked when they shook hands was proof something more could be stoked into a full on fire.
“My congratulations to your sister then.” Gibson forced his words to return to their normal clipped, even tone, “And to you, as an Uncle. It was a pleasure meeting with you today, Mr. Michaelson. I look forward to working with you to be sure the Frost Financial event is a success for us both.”
Felix winged an eyebrow up, “We’ll be working together on the project?”
No. Gibson fought with himself. He should say no. He never should have even let the words slip out in the first place. He didn’t have any reason to remain involved in the event planning. He certainly had never taken a vested interest before outside of signing the check after vetting the planner. But everything in him wanted to see Felix again and he found himself nodding.
“I do believe you issued an invitation to show me just how much work this party would take, didn’t you?”
The grin that he received in response could have lit up a thousand Christmas lights, and even caused a flicker inside his own, cold, black heart. Felix moved a step closer and Gibson didn’t back up. At this space he could see the flecks of gold in the other man’s eyes and Felix had to tilt his chin up a little to meet his gaze since he was a few inches shorter.
Perfect. Gibson’s body roared to life. The man was the perfect size, the perfect height and he knew, just innately knew that if he drew Felix Michaelson into his arms that he would fit there perfectly too. Felix smiled and he had a feeling that it was only a matter of time.
