Harriett nodded.
“Maybe I’ll wear that red sweater my mom gave me last Christmas. I have a pair of black pants that will look good with it.”
“No, no, no, my little holiday vixen. You’ve got a hot date. You need to be rocking a sexy little dress.” She got up from her chair and held out her hand. “Come on, we’re going shopping over lunch.”
“I’ve got stuff to do. The red sweater will be fine.”
Harriett didn’t budge, just stood there, glaring at me with her arm outstretched.
“Fine.” Reluctantly, I got up and grabbed my purse from the bottom drawer of my desk. “But if we can’t find something in thirty minutes, then the red sweater will have to do.”
“I’ll burn that thing before I’ll let you wear that on your only date with Hot Santa.” She yanked my door open and gestured for me to go first.
Wishing I’d never set eyes on Kellan, I passed through the doorway. It was too late for that. Now all I could do was try to make the best out of a crappy situation and hope I didn’t somehow screw myself over in the process.
6
KELLAN
Istill felt bad about making an unexpected appearance on Blakely’s video call. That’s why I’d texted her to see if I could make it up to her by buying her dinner. At least that’s what I told myself. I was more excited than I expected when she agreed. But first I needed to play Santa at a shelter just outside downtown Bourbon.
I’d pulled on the Santa suit along with the beard and hat. Since it had been raining all afternoon and I didn’t want to wipe out on my bike, I’d decided taking a ride share would be the best way to go. Which was why I stood on the sidewalk outside of Blakely’s complex, waiting for my driver to show.
Blakely pulled to a stop at the curb next to me and the passenger side window lowered. “Are you scoping out the place so you can break into another condo?”
“No.” Seeing her put a smile on my face. “I’ve got to go do Santa duty at a kid’s Christmas party. I should be done in a couple of hours. Is dinner around eight okay?”
“Yeah, that’s fine. Do you need a ride?”
“My ride share should be here any minute.” I glanced down at my phone. The last notice I’d received showed my driver was about four minutes away. Now there wasn’t an estimated arrival. I tapped on the screen.
“Something wrong?”
“I think my driver just canceled on me.”
Blakely pulled her bag off the passenger seat and tossed it behind her. “I can take you. Get in.”
“Are you sure?” I didn’t want to put her out, but if I didn’t get moving soon, I was going to be late.
She peered at me through the window. “Would you rather walk?”
When she put it that way, there wasn’t much of a choice. I pulled open the door, tossed the bag into the back, then slid onto the leather passenger seat. “If you can drop me off, I’ll catch a ride back.”
“Just tell me where we’re going.”
I directed her to the shelter where I’d spent so many nights as a kid. Just like every other time I’d returned, my gut clenched as the building came into view. I didn’t want Blakely to get too close. This was a part of my history I wouldn’t share with anyone. “Here’s fine.”
She stopped by the curb. “What’s this event about, anyway?”
“A holiday party for some kids. My brother and I take turns playing Santa every year. They’ll have games, story time, and plenty of treats.”
One of the volunteers rushed over as I stepped out of the car. “Kellan, thank goodness. We were getting worried. They’re waiting for you inside.”
“Eight o’clock back at your place.” I thumped the roof of the car, eager for her to go. She didn’t need to see this part of my past. No one did.
Before Blakely could pull away, the woman leaned into the car, her voice full of hope. “Are you another volunteer? We had a group of helpers cancel and could use all the help we can get.”
“Um, sure.” Blakely looked around the area. “Just tell me where to park, and I’d be happy to come in and help.”