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“Is that a suggestion?”
He chuckled. “If I had my way, I’d fall asleep buried inside you.”
Oh my God, I loved that.
“So… what did I miss? How was 2019? Seeing as it’s almost over.”
“It was a bumper year for celebrities coming out as LGBTQ+, now that I think about it.” Some had hit the headlines more than others.
“Really? I don’t follow celebrities.”
I twisted my neck to smile at him. “Which is so refreshing, I can tell you. I stopped going for a haircut. It was all he talked about. Bored me to tears.”
Santa stroked my head. “I see those clippers came in handy. So, who came out? Anyone I’d know?”
“I lost track, there were so many. A wrestler, a Broadway star, a country singer, an actor, a rugby referee, a YouTuber, a hockey player, TV stars…” When he said nothing, I glanced back at him. “You okay?”
“Coming out… Is it still such a big thing?”
I sighed. “Unfortunately, yes.”
“Why unfortunately?”
I rolled onto my back, and he stroked my chest, slow, soothing circles that made me feel calm. “Because I long for the day when no one has to come out. When no one has to declare their sexuality to the world. When how they are is how they are, and everyone accepts that.”
Santa bit his lip. “That’s a good thing to look forward to, but I think you’re in for a long wait.”
I thought so too.
I cupped his cheek. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you for a while now.”
He smiled. “You usually just open your mouth and out it pops. I’m intrigued.”
“When I think of you, it’s always as Santa. But… you have to have a real name, right? Even immortal beings need a name.”
He studied my face for a moment, as though deliberating how to answer. “I do,” he said at last. “I haven’t used it in a long time, but yes.”
When nothing else was forthcoming, I gave him a mock glare. “Well? Are you going to tell me?” Before he could speak I let out a gasp. “Oh my God. You don’t want to tell me because it’s awful. Wait. Let me guess. Frank.”
He narrowed his gaze. “There is nothing wrong with the name Frank.”
My mouth fell open. “Don’t tell me I nailed it on my first guess.”
That got me another snort. “Not even close.”
“Okay then, I’ll try again.” I stared at him, stroking my chin. “Percy.”
All I got was an eye roll for that one.
“Dwayne,” I suggested, my lips twitching.
“Now you’re being funny.”
“Then just put me out of my misery andtellme.”
He sighed. “Okay. My real name is… Nicholas.”
I stared at him. “What’s wrong with that? It’s a lovely name.”
