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“What do you mean?”
“There’s a giant tree in the lobby. I think we should have your missed Christmas tomorrow night. We can even make it fun and grab some cheap presents.”
Sarah’s face lit up. “You’re totally getting these wooden cockroaches I saw a guy carving on the street.”
I laughed. “Okay, but I’m warning you, I actually know all the words to ‘La Cucaracha’. My Spanish teacher, Ms. Chiesa, used to make us all sing it every year. If I get those, expect to be hearing it.”
CHAPTER 5
* * *
Sarah
Kelly and I agreed to meet at 4 PM by the giant tree in the hotel lobby. The plan was to exchange gifts down there, then go out to dinner. I was definitely getting in the post-Christmas spirit.
One of the best parts about celebrating Christmas after the holiday? Clearance. I’d asked the manager of the place I was staying for a recommendation on where to get after-Christmas stuff, and he’d ordered a car to take me to this small plaza of shops. After browsing a few different stores for something to wear, I was able to find the perfect ugly Christmas sweater, for a great bargain. Since it was hot, I’d wear it inside the hotel only and take it off before dinner. And not only had I picked up the wooden cockroaches from the street vendor for Kelly, but I found him another special surprise gag gift as well.
I couldn’t remember the last time I was this excited about “Christmas.” Maybe the key was to celebrate away from my family, after the actual holiday, with a handsome stranger. Perhaps this needed to be a yearly tradition. Although I doubted I’d meet anyone by chance again as interesting as Kelly.
Once I got back from shopping, I had about an hour to get ready. Before heading downstairs, I put on a red mini skirt that matched my sweater.
I was so excited to see what Kelly had in store for me. I was a few minutes early, so I stood by the tall Christmas tree and waited, holding the gift bag.
When I turned around, I spotted big, larger-than-life Kelly walking toward me wearing…what the heck was that? I soon realized it was a hat with Santa’s legs at the top. It was made to look like Santa’s feet were sticking up in the air as he got stuck in the chimney, which in this case was Kelly’s head. How bizarre—but totally Kelly.
“Nice hat.”
“Thanks. I looked everywhere for a Buddy the Elf costume, but no luck.”
“I’m so glad you didn’t find one.” I chuckled.
“That would’ve been awesome, though. You have to admit.” He looked down at my sweater, adorned with embroidered cats in winter hats. “Nice sweater. I love it.”
“It was the ugliest sweater I could find. I’m taking it off for dinner, though. It’s too hot.”
“Taking it off is even better.” He smiled mischievously.
I blew out a breath of air, burning up. “Shall we sit to open our presents?”
He placed his hands on my shoulders. “First off, Merry Christmas.”
A shiver ran down my spine from the contact. “Merry Christmas to you, Kelly.”
“I think we should wait to open the presents, actually,” he said.
I looked around. “Wait for what? What else is there?”
I noticed he was carrying a black backpack, which he now removed from his shoulder.
“You can’t have a Christmas party without music and appetizers, Sarah.”
He pulled a Santa Claus statue of some kind out of his bag. He pressed a button on its feet before placing it on the ground next to us. Santa began swaying his hips to the tune of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”
“You could’ve just played music on your phone, but he’s adorable.”
“Music from my phone wouldn’t have been as embarrassing. It’s more fun to watch your face turn red right now.”
Next, he took out some Christmas cookies in a plastic container that looked like they’d come from the supermarket bakery sale section.
Last, he removed two red Solo cups from the bag and a carton of eggnog before pouring us each a glass.
“I’m glad you came prepared,” I said.
We sat there with our battery-operated Santa playing music and sipped our eggnog while munching on cookies. Despite being too hot, this was my favorite Christmas in a very long time.
“Present time!” Kelly announced.
I put my cup down and clapped my hands. “I’ll go first,” I said. I handed him the gift bag, which had little Christmas trees all over it.
“Should I be afraid?” he asked.
I giggled.
He ripped open the first box, and his eyes widened as he lifted the two wooden cockroaches. “I see you’re a woman of your word.”
“How could I not get these for you?”
“By the way, last night, they serenaded me with ‘Feliz Navidad’.”
I cackled.
“I love them. And they’ll always remind me of this trip.” He smiled. “Also, I’ll spare you my rendition of ‘La Cucaracha’.”
