Page 4 of I Had a Threesome With Santa Claus

“See?” Miriam said with a self-satisfied smile. “What did I tell you? Cole’s jaw is going to hit the floor when he sees you.”

Holly rolled her eyes. “Cole is not going to come. Who shows up at a company Christmas party for a company they don’t even work for?”

“You never know,” said Miriam, “Maybe he’ll catch you in one of the doorways with the mistletoe.”

“I was holding the ladder when you hung those up so I know exactly which doorways to avoid thank you very much.”

“Whatever,” Miriam rolled her eyes. “Come on let’s get a drink and show you off.”

Holly let Miriam drag her to the bar and order them drinks. She continued to let Miriam lead her around the room making the rounds, stopping the waiters with snacks as they came around. She was surprised to find a couple hours had passed and she was actually having a good time. For the last few parties since her mom passed, she had come for an hour or two before heading home early. Her heart just hadn’t been in it anymore, and that’s why she had left the planning committee in the first place. But this year, she was having a great time.

After a particularly bad rendition of “Baby It’s Cold Outside” on the karaoke machine, Miriam called everyone over to play Dirty Santa with all kinds of funny gag gifts. Holly had brought a silly Santa lingerie set, complete with a red hat and beard, that had come up in a Facebook ad after she finished writing her letter to Santa. Her more conservative coworker, John, had opened that one much to everyone’s amusement.Hollyhad ended up with an oversized lipstick from Miriam. Now she laughed with Miriam and Ashley as they watched some of the higher ups sing karaoke. She had even shed her leather jacket. It was shaping up to be the best holiday party in years.

While her boss was serenading them all with his cover of “She’s So High,” Holly went in search of a bathroom. She had been drinking way more than she usually did at these things. After leaving the ladies room she stood in one of the many entrances and watched her friends and coworkers dance on the dance floor.

“Holly?” a deep voice said from behind her. “Wow you look amazing”

Holly turned around. Cole had traded in his barista’s apron for a fitted green button-up, clinging just tight enough to see the faint outline of defined muscle and tucked into charcoal gray slacks. His curls were wild as ever and framed his chiseled face. He grinned as he took in her dress that suddenly felt much more revealing.

“Oh I didn’t-I didn’t think you’d actually come,” She stuttered.

“Yeah,” Cole’s smile broadened. “I didn’t either but after I got home and was about to put on my sweatpants I thought to myself why not try to be a little spontaneous for once so here I am.”

“Here you are,” Holly echoed, wishing she had her jacket to pull tight around her.

Cole stepped up beside her under the entryway and cocked his head, surveying the dancers. “You all weren’t kidding, it’s already gotten wild in here.”

“Yeah,” Holly whispered, not knowing what else to say. She could smell the faint sandalwood scent of his cologne with him this close to her. Her heart raced.

Cole looked at her and smiled again as he glanced up. “It appears we have been caught under the mistletoe.”

“What?” Holly squeaked. She had purposefully been avoiding the entrances with the mistletoe all night. She looked up. She could have sworn this one had been clear when she left for the bathroom, but there it was hanging directly over her and Cole.

Cole leaned in to kiss her. Holly had a brief moment of panic before closing her eyes and letting it happen. He could have just pecked her on the lips, but instead he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to him, enveloping her lips with his. As she felt his tongue slip into her mouth tentatively, she brushed her own against his. The kiss lasted a good five seconds and when he pulled away, Holly was breathless. She immediately felt her face turn as red as her dress. This wasn’t her. She didn’t kiss the barista she barely knew at an office Christmas party. She went on a few dates, got to know them and then maybe,just maybe,she was ready for a kiss like that.Thatwas no innocent peck between friends either, that was suggestive, it promised something more. It was too much.

“I have to go” she squeaked as she turned and pushed into the crowd, quickly walking to the table where her jacket and dirty Santa gift lay. She thought she heard him call after her, but she was too flustered to look back around. She rushed to her table and hurriedly put on her jacket, stuffing her gift into her purse.

“Hey, where you going?” Miriam came up as Holly finished zipping up her purse.

“I just-I just really think it’s time for me to head back,” Holly told her.

“Wait what?” Miriam asked confused, “I thought we were having a great time.”

“I was but now I’m just ready to go home.”

“Wait is that Cole?”

“Yes it is,” Holly turned to the door.

“Well you can’t run off it looks like he just got here, you have to go talk to him.” Miriam told her.

“Miriam,” Holly said seriously. “I need to go home. Now.”

Miriam’s face softened. “Okay Hols. Call me tomorrow?”

“I will,” Holly said, and she rushed out to call a cab.

Chapter 7

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