“So, Gideon’s picking out aChristmas tree.”Parker hopped up on the makeshift counter next to the register. “Clearly something cataclysmic has happened. Itcouldbe that the end times are upon us, it’s true. A rift in the space-time continuum.Orit could be that Gideon’s cold, black heart has been tenderized by the meat grinder oflooove.” He wiggled his eyebrows and grinned hugely.
“Wow, Parks,” Con said. He leaned against Micah, who wrapped an arm around his shoulders. “That’s some imagery right there.”
“Seasoned with the angst of your years apart,” Parker continued, staring dreamily at the sky. “Roasted by the flames of adesperate sexual attraction, nestled on the pillowy white bun of a happily ever after—”
“Coated with the gooey cheese of Christmas magic?” Micah’s voice was dry.
“Salted with a heart attack-inducing level ofannoyancebecause my friend is adumbasswho should stick to makinghamburgers.”I folded my arms over my chest.
“Wait.Wait. Gideon!” Parker gasped, hands pressed to his chest. “Did you just admit we’refriends? This is amoment. We’re having amomentright now.”
I rolled my eyes while Con and Micah laughed.
“Christmas miracles do exist,” he whispered, saccharine sweet. Then he hopped off the counter. “Also, Idothink I need a hamburger. I’m helping out here, and then I’m helping Jamie prep for the Parade tomorrow, and the kids’ll be devastated if Santa collapses from malnutrition. Anybody want, while I’m making ’em?”
Con and Micah both nodded. “Oh, and maybe a couple for our other Santa’s helpers?” Con smiled winningly. “Julian. And Daniel. And my mom. Joe Cross. Pete Daley. And, ah… Silas?”
“How many Santa wannabes do you have running around here?” I demanded.
“I dunno. Six? Eight? Ten?” Con shrugged. “The contest got way better turnout than we expected. It’s amazing.”
Fuckingweirdwas what it was.
Parker rolled his eyes. “Burgers for a crowd. Got it. Gideon? Some for you and Hazel?”
I shook my head. “Gotta get back. Liam’s home editing photos this morning, but he promised Hazel over breakfast that we could decorate the tree this afternoon. Assuming Hazel finds a tree on this lot… or in the forest… or in the universe… with the rightaesthetic.” I snorted softly.
Parker grinned behind his Santa beard. “This is your life now, my friend. Get used to it.” He slapped me on the shoulder. “At least you have Liam to go home to, right?”
I nodded and summoned a smile, but I wasn’t quite sure it was convincing.
Liam and I had talked a lot last night. Enough for me to know beyond a doubt that I was in love with him. And Liam… I felt pretty sure he might feel the same way.
But love hadn’t been enough for him before. And I was really fucking afraid it wouldn’t be enough now either.
Parker’s eyes narrowed on me. “Oh! Hey, Gideon, I had a question for you about, um… fire safety. Walk with me for a second?”
Fire safety?I shrugged. “Sure. Lemme see where Hazel is first—”
“My mom’s got her,” Con said with a wave of his hand. “You’re not going far.”
I nodded and followed Parker down the long row of trees to the sidewalk.
“Alright, spill,” Parker said, once we were out of earshot of Con and Micah. “Tell Dr. Parker what that face was for.”
I frowned. “What face?”
“Aw, now. Dr. Parker doesn’t like it when you pretend not to know what he’s talking about.”
“AndIdon’t like it when Parker refers to himself in the third person. Especially when he’s wearing a freakin’ Santa costume and beard.” I shuddered. “Not sure which is creepier.”
Parker rolled his eyes and pulled his beard down so it hung beneath his chin. “There. All better. Now tell.”
“It’s nothing. Everything’s good. Everything’sgreat.” I hesitated, rubbing the back of my neck. “I just realized I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop, that’s all. Like, how can it last? Who the hell would choose this place when he could live anywhere? Right?”
“Lots of people could.Idid.” Parker’s face softened. “You’re legit in love with the guy, aren’t you?”
I swallowed and thought about waking up to Liam in my bed this morning—the sheets all twisted around us, his leg thrown over mine like he’d attempted to climb me in the night, a little drool escaping his mouth, his head on my bicep cutting off circulation to my hand—and the bone-deep contentment I’d felt knowing I was with my favorite person ever. It had been anything but perfect, but it wasreal.
