Page 8 of Santa’s Little Faker
We really needed to work on explaining what healthy relationships looked like since his family had done a terrible job of it.
Chapter 3
Orlando
He was worried about me…that was so cute.
“I just need a little bit of help explaining this to my mother.” I was pretty sure I’d been too nice. “Just don’t make her think she did anything wrong and don’t make her worry.”
That would just make everything more difficult.
Bastian started to open his mouth, but I quickly cut him off. “You know how hard it was for them to agree to let me move out and buy my own house.”
I wasn’t going back to that nonsense.
Hmm.
“I’ll have to explain stuff I don’t want to if I move back home.” That would suck, but Terrence could probably give me some pointers on dealing with it. “I won’t do that.”
Yes, I was supposed to set limits and explain my boundaries to my Daddy.
He sighed, realizing what I’d done on some level because he was an amazing Daddy. “I can understand that.”
Peeking over at the flowers again, he took a second to think before he continued. “You…you probably don’t want to tell them about your new friend yet.”
Hmm.
“No.” I wasn’t sure honesty was always the best policy based on what Terrence had said, but I was pretty sure it would give Bastian a push in the right direction this time. “You can’t tell my family, but I’m a little and I don’t want to have to take my toys and move back to my mother’s house. That would not make me comfortable enough to be little.”
Blink.
Blink.
He opened his mouth and closed it several times, but since I’d already figured out he was a Daddy there wasn’t anything to worry about. I just had to be patient and that was painful enough. It only took him about ten seconds to reset his brain, though, and I just pretended not to notice how odd it was.
“I think you’re right then. That’s not a lifestyle that’s easy to live around people who don’t understand it.” Looking over at my flowers, he sighed dramatically.
It looked like Daddies were all as ridiculous as Enzo and it wasn’t just a family thing like I’d thought.
“She’s not going to like you being single and us chasing off someone she thought was a good match.” Frowning, Bastian stayed focused on the bouquet that was absolutely perfect. “Are you sure you can’t ask the guy who’s interested in you to go to a family dinner? Just once would make a big difference.”
He was technically right but that wouldn’t work.
My Secret Santa wasn’t real.
“He’s my Secret Santa.” I frowned and aimed to lookreallyinnocent as Bastian turned back to me. “I wasn’t going to rush it. We’ve still got two weeks until Christmas.”
Bastian got stuck thinking again for a few moments. “Yes, taking things slow until you get to know a stranger is a good idea, but maybe if we did some research I could help you figure out if he’s a good fit.”
Oh, I could make that work…kind of.
“I’m not ready to stop getting presents yet.” I was starting to agree with Terrence on dragging out the Secret Santa thing. Presents were fun, so there was no reason to rush. “But are you sure you’ll help me? I’m not sure that’s a good idea, but if you think it is…”
Yes, this was going to be his idea.
Still playing slightly dumb, I smiled at him. “You’re very smart and my mother really likes you. She’s not stupid, though. She’s just a pain in the ass and really stubborn, so we’ll have to make it look real.”
Bastian’s mouth dropped open as he realized what I’d implied that he’d suggested.
