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My gut wrenches. The mere thought of swallowing a bite of cupcake makes me nauseous. I blame it on the Secret Santa gift exchange and the planning and plotting I’ve been doing behind Adrian’s back. It can’t be anything more than that.
“Don’t deny it, Hailey.” Maddie snickers. “Don’t tell us your heart doesn’t feel a thing when you’re climbing that man like a pole dancer.”
“Maddie,” Bea admonishes as her eyes dart to see who’s in earshot.
I shift uncomfortably, wishing Adrian hadn’t been delayed. I’m nervous enough about the surprise I’ve arranged for tonight. The nausea worsens. My tummy tightens, and I feel the blood drain from my face. What if I’m completely out of line? What if he hates it?I’ve gone too far.
“Hailey, you okay?” Noelle brushes a hand against my arm. “We didn’t mean to upset you.”
“You didn’t.” The crisp air burns my lungs as I take a deep breath. “I’m afraid I’m getting ahead of myself. It’s only been a couple of weeks. So much could go wrong.”
“There are plenty of examples of couples who fell in love the moment they met.” Maddie nods her head, encouraging everyone to agree. “Like that famous Hollywood couple who were on double dates with other people, but their chemistry with each other was off the charts.” She glances at Bea. “Oh, you know the ones. They prank each other on social media all the time.”
“Oh. Yes.” Bea’s eyes widen. “Long blonde hair. Super cute. Doesn’t put up with paparazzi BS. Wasn’t she in some movie with a shark?”
“She was badass in that.” Holly’s brow wrinkles. “Why can’t I remember her name?”
“And what about that actor from that hospital show?” Noelle’s voice pitches excitedly. “The one who married that uber gorgeous human rights attorney after he swore he’d be a bachelor for life.”
“It doesn’t matter who any of them are.” Maddie squeezes my hand. “What matters is that it's possible to know right away. If you feel it, embrace it. Life’s too short. Take the risk.”
And like the evening I wore the little red dress, I pull up my big girl panties and vow to do just that.
***
Adrian
Hailey’s quiet during the drive home. I worry she’s having second thoughts about the two of us. She’s usually chatty, full of smiles and laughter. She’s brought light into my life. Something that’s been missing for a long time. I carried a void inside me for so long. Now that my heart is full, I don’t think I could ever go back to the way things were before.
We park and ride the elevator up to the second floor. The din of laughter, conversation, and holiday music fills the hallway. Hailey slips her hand in mine, and I hold on for dear life, hoping this evening goes well. She assured me tonight’s gift exchange wouldn’t hurt a bit, but that’s not what has me sweating bullets beneath my flannel shirt.
Since I didn’t put my name into the hopper, I won’t be participating in the exchange. However, I did bring a little something for Hailey. I hope she likes it.
The tall evergreen with twinkling lights remains bauble-free yet beautiful in its simplicity. An electric fireplace sits nestled in a corner among a cozy sitting area. Classic holiday tunes play softly overhead. I’ve heard the same songs all my life, but only now am I beginning to appreciate them for the joy they spread. I’ve caught myself mindlessly humming along to them several times in the last week.
“I need to drop this off at the Secret Santa table.” The bells on Hailey’s elf costume jingle as she leads us through the room. “We can get a drink if you like?”
“I’d like that.” I wouldn’t mind a little liquid courage.
She deposits a small package wrapped in colorful comic strip paper on the table stacked with presents. They’re all wrapped with newspaper and scraps of cloth, each with a simple bow and stem of greenery. I’m pleasantly surprised at the lack of sophistication. It’s nothing like the ornate gift-wrapped boxes that graced my mother’s trees. The packages were so decorative. I was never allowed to rip the paper. Once the presents were open, she meticulously ironed any wrinkles or creases from the paper and stored them for the following year. Just once, I would have loved to rip the paper with abandon, but that’s neither here nor there. I’m far too old for such childhood antics.
“It’s beautiful tonight.” Hailey takes a sip of punch. Her glittery eyes sparkle as she glances up at me over the rim of her cup.
“It’s all you. You make the room come alive.” And my heart and soul. My heart thuds against my chest.
“You’re just trying to butter me up.” She smiles up at me, looping her finger through my belt loop. She tips on her toes and places a sweet kiss on my lips. “It’s working.”
My fingers and toes tingle as my heart races, just like the first time we kissed beneath the mistletoe in this very room. I’ll never get enough of her.
“Attention, everyone.” The president of the condo taps her wine glass with a dessert fork. “As you all know, we’re doing things a little differently this year.”
The building’s maintenance man enters the room from a side door carrying a tall ladder. He sets it up next to the tree in the middle of the room.
“Thanks to Hailey and her Santa’s Workshop connection at Winslow Farm, we’re starting a new tradition this year.” The woman gestures to the crowd. “Everyone, choose a gift from the table that isn’t the one you brought, and we’ll proceed.”
The crowd shifts toward the gift table. This isn’t how Secret Santa games usually work. I’m confused, but everyone else appears to know what they’re doing.
“Merry Christmas, Adrian.” A woman brushes my shoulder on the way to the table.
