Page 56 of The Christmas Accomplice

How did he add his number to my contacts?

He unlocked his phone and read the text.

I really enjoyed last night. I’m considering you my favorite Christmas present of all. Merry Christmas Eve.

Welton slowly sat on the couch and read the simple text over several times. He was someone’s favorite Christmas present. Him, nerdy and nervous Welton Monroe. What strange universe had he woken up in?

His phone buzzed again, startling him, and then he laughed at himself. He thought it might be another message from Reece, but it was from Dean.

I hope your evening went better than expected. Will you be eating breakfast at the buffet?

Welton slouched back against the couch cushion. He hadn’t told Reece about Dean, that he’d lived with Dean for God’s sake, and that lie rattled around inside his chest each time he was with Reece. He needed to tell him the truth, but how would it look? Was it too late now for Reece to be understanding?

He needed to focus. A deep breath in and a slow exhalation helped him calm his racing thoughts. First, he wrote back to Reece.

You’re pretty tricky getting my number and adding yourself to my contacts. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were a wizard. You’re the best gift I ever let someone stuff into my stocking. I’ll be thinking about last night for a very long time. Merry Christmas Eve to you, too.

He had no idea where he came up with him being a gift that was stuffed into his stocking, but he was pretty happy with it. Who said nerds didn’t know how to flirt?

With Reece’s message sent, Welton opened Dean’s and wrote back to him.

My evening was better than I hoped for. I hope your evening was good as well. Eat without me, I’m running late.

That seemed to have settled everything. Now Welton needed to figure out what he was going to do today. Reece was working the desk, and he’d said he would find out what his secret activity was going to be later today. After lunch would be a good time to stop by the desk to say hi and see what Reece had found out.

And maybe ask if he could spend another night in the cabin. A squiggly excitement twirled in his belly at the thought of spending Christmas Eve with Reece, making love with him, and then waking up beside him on Christmas Day.

And then the day after that, you fly home and leave him behind.

Welton shook that thought out of his head and headed upstairs to get dressed.

The lobby wasfull of people when Welton entered through the revolving door. He stepped to the side and unzipped his coat then used the hem of the undershirt he wore beneath his wool sweater to wipe his glasses clear. A few groups of people had met up for Christmas Eve eve breakfast in the lobby restaurant and were about to go skiing. There was a line of people at the desk, and Welton couldn’t see Reece through the crowd.

If all these people were in the lobby, he figured the buffet might be pretty empty, so he headed in that direction. He approached the hostess stand, but before he could say a word, Dean waved to him from a table across the restaurant. Welton made sure the table where Dean sat was out of sight of the lobby desk, then hurried over.

“Hey, you’re just in time,” Dean said. “I’m still on my first plate from the buffet.”

“I can’t eat with you,” Welton said. “What if Reece sees us?”

Dean raised his eyebrows. “You haven’t told him about us yet?”

“Don’t say it like that. You make it sound like there’s something still between you and me.”

“Well, we do have a history.”

“And that’s what it is, history. There hasn’t been a good time for me to explain to Reece about our history.”

“What the hell?”

The voice came from behind Welton, and he jumped and turned. His insides turned to ice when he saw Reece standing behind him, holding two Styrofoam cups of coffee, eyes wide with shock and shimmering with hurt.

“Oh, no. Reece, I can explain—”

“You two know each other?” Reece said. “You dated? Why did you tell me you didn’t know him? What the hell is this?”

“I’m sorry, I’m really sorry. It’s all a big misunderstanding. Let me explain.” Welton took a step toward him but Reece backed away, shaking his head.

“No, I don’t want to hear it. I… I trusted you, Welton. I thought you were different from other guys.”

“I am, I promise. Please, let me explain everything. I just need a few minutes.”

“I can’t. Not right now.” Reece turned away.

“Please, Reece!”

Welton heard the pleading tone and tears in his voice, but they did nothing to stop him. In moments, Reece was lost from sight among the crowd in the lobby and, as nearby diners stared and Dean put a consoling arm around his shoulders, Welton dropped into a chair at the table and put his face in his hands.

“What have I done? Oh my God, what have I done?”