12 Dates of Christmas (Christmas Falls: Season 2)

CHAPTER SEVEN

Leo was the first to arrive at the Parade of Lights for date number three.

He glanced around, but although there were crowds of people already assembling, bachelor number three was nowhere in sight. His name was Dylan and they’d texted a little bit before the event. Nick had suggested Leo try that, since the first two dates had gone pretty terribly.

Online, Dylan had seemed like a super nice, ordinary guy. He worked as a large animal vet tech and helped take care of the reindeer in town. It was such a cool job. Dylan had a great smile in the photos Leo had seen, and had a good sense of humor.

Leo was hopeful.

Maybe Dylan was running late. Tons of people came from out of town to the event and parking was scarce. Leo was lucky he could walk from his apartment to the park where they’d agreed to meet.

With a shrug, Leo glanced around Sugar Plum Park.

Several food trucks were set up and he made a beeline for the one from Ginger’s Bread. It was new—a big project Joel had been working on in the past year—and decorated with a cute little gingerbread person.

While Leo waited in line, he kept an eye out for Dylan and checked his phone a number of times. But neither the guy, nor a message, appeared.

It was nearly twenty minutes after their agreed-on meeting time when Leo finally reached the front of the line and Dylan was nowhere to be found.

“I’m going to need your largest cookie and some mulled cider,” Leo said with a heavy sigh. “And booze if you’ve got it.”

Joel’s laugh quickly turned into a worried expression. “Hey, you okay?”

“No,” Leo said morosely. “I think I’ve been ghosted.”

“Oh no! You had high hopes for him too.”

“We’ll see,” Leo said, frowning. “But yeah. So far? Bleh.”

“How about some holiday spice churros dunked in chocolate orange sauce and a tall mulled cider?” Joel offered. “I’m afraid we don’t have a liquor license but I’m sure there’s a nice Christmas Falls resident carrying a flask of something who you could hook up with.”

“Hell yes to the churros and mulled cider. And I was kidding about the booze. Mostly.”

Joel grinned.

After Leo paid and he had a hot steaming paper cup of cider in one hand and a container of churros with dipping sauce in hand, Joel said, “I hope your date shows up!” with a cheerful wave.

“Me too,” Leo said ruefully. But he thanked Joel and stepped away from the truck so the next person could get their order.

He was debating how to juggle both items and actually get them in his face when Nick appeared. “Do you need some help with that?”

“Uhh, yes please,” Leo said gratefully as he handed his cup of cider over. “Thank you.”

Nick took it, frowning at him. “So, what happened to your date? I thought you were meeting up here tonight.”

“Well, we were supposed to.” Leo checked his phone again. “But I don’t know where Dylan is and I’ve heard nothing from him.”

“Have you tried texting him?”

“Not yet. I didn’t want to be impatient if he had trouble parking or something. But we’ve officially passed that point.” Leo typed out a message. Hey. Wanted to check to see if you’re okay. I’m at the meeting spot and I don’t see you anywhere. We did say 5:15 at Sugar Plum Park, right?

When Leo was done, he stuffed his phone in his coat pocket and glanced up to see Nick looking at him with a worried frown.

“What?” he asked, feeling self-conscious.

“I feel terrible this is going so badly for you,” Nick said, sounding frustrated.

Leo shrugged and picked up a churro. He dunked the fried dough in the chocolate sauce and took a bite, moaning a little at the taste while he prayed he hadn’t singed off every last taste bud.

Holy fuck that was good. But steaming hot.

“Story of my life,” Leo said with a sigh as he fanned his mouth. “It’s fine. Either I’ll hear from him or I won’t.”

“I appreciate your ability to bounce back from disappointment so well,” Nick said. “But I’m sorry to be the cause of your disappointment.”

“Hey, it’s not you,” Leo assured him. “Seriously, it was like this in Chicago too. I have bad luck dating or something, I swear. I’m like, cursed or something.”

“Yeah, but?—”

“Churro?” he asked, thrusting the little cardboard container out because he couldn’t stand the sight of Nick looking so glum on his account. “They’re holiday spice flavored and the dipping sauce is chocolate orange. They’re delicious.”

He didn’t want to hear Nick apologize again. It wasn’t his fault Leo was a magnet for bad dates. Okay, maybe the last few were his fault but this really was par for the course for Leo.

“Sure.” Nick slipped off his glove and took one.

The look of bliss crossing his face when he ate it was like a sudden gut punch to Leo’s system.

Oh man, what Leo wouldn’t give to have been the one to cause Nick to look like that. In bed, rather than from some food his friend had made.

“ Wow those are good,” Nick said.

“Joel knows his stuff,” Leo agreed. “I am going to gain like forty pounds living above the bakery and I do not care. I swear, everything they make there is good for the soul.”

Nick smiled. “You’ll look fantastic either way. And I agree. I’ve never had anything bad there.”

“Well, feel free to share these,” Leo said, waggling the container of churros and trying to ignore his sudden flush at the compliment. “I had a hearty dinner so I’m getting full already.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, I made my mom’s baked spaghetti and meatballs recipe and it was freaking fantastic. I hadn’t made it in a while and it hit just right, you know?”

“Ooh, you’ll have to share the recipe with me,” Nick said, helping himself to another churro. “It sounds delicious.”

“Thanks. I will.”

Leo reached for the cup of cider, taking it from Nick’s hand. “Hmm. I wonder if this has cooled down enough to drink.”

Nick took the container of churros and Leo pried the lid off the cider. “Nope, still fucking hot.” He put the lid back on, glanced around, then checked his phone again.

“Any news?” Nick asked.

“Nope.”

Nick frowned. “Leo, I am so?—”

“Shush.” Leo quieted him with a wave of his hand. “None of that! Dylan is innocent until proven guilty. For all I know, something terrible happened. For his sake, I hope not. For mine … well, it would soothe my ego a little.”

He laughed, shrugging. “But seriously. I refuse to dwell on it. He stood me up and I won’t know until later if it was intentional or not so I’m not going to think about it right now. I want to enjoy the parade and my yummy snacks and make the best of a disappointing evening, okay?”

It was either that or break down crying in the middle of Sugar Plum Park and fuck that.

Nick gave him a soft smile. “You’re a good person, Leo. I’m glad you don’t let anyone’s poor behavior dim that.”

“Someday, my prince will come,” Leo said with a little sigh. “But tonight is not that night. I’m sure you have other plans though, so don’t let me keep you from that. It looks like people are assembling to go watch the parade.”

He nodded to the people streaming out of the park toward the sidewalk where the parade would pass by.

“Well.” Nick rubbed the back of his neck and Leo noticed he didn’t wear a wedding ring. “About that. I kinda came here tonight for you.”

“Yeah?” Leo tilted his head. “What do you mean?”

“I wasn’t going to say hi or anything. I just wanted to be around if your date got creepy. You totally handled the previous guys fine but I—I felt a little responsible and wanted to be here if you needed any help.”

“That’s so sweet,” Leo said, his heart melting.

“So, um, what do you say we enjoy the parade together? I know I’m only the consolation prize but … might be fun?”

Oh, buddy , Leo thought wistfully. You are so far from being a consolation prize it’s ridiculous. You would be the ultimate grand prize to anyone who got to keep you. Nicole was a lucky, lucky woman.

“That would be fun,” Leo said aloud. “If you don’t mind.”

“Mind? Nah, I always enjoy talking to you.” Nick’s smile was warm and a little flutter appeared in the center of Leo’s chest.

Oooh this was such a bad idea but there was no way in hell he’d turn down a chance to spend the evening with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome.

Munching on the churros, Leo and Nick crossed the park, following the crowds toward the street and Leo’s excitement grew as they worked their way toward a spot where they might be able to see the parade go by.

Nick got stopped by a couple who thanked him warmly for setting them up, and one of the guys proudly showed off the daughter they’d adopted recently.

“That’s my favorite part of being a matchmaker,” Nick said, beaming at him as the family walked away. “Seeing how happy people are and knowing I got to take part in it.”

“I love that,” Leo said softly.

Nick was so good at his job. It wasn’t his fault Leo had the worst luck ever when it came to dates.

They found a spot along the parade route and Leo glanced around. People were dressed in warm layers of clothing and some had light-up headbands and glowsticks around their necks. In the distance, Leo could hear the sound of the marching band tuning up.

“So how was your Thanksgiving?” Leo asked, turning back to face Nick. “Do anything fun?”

“Yeah, I had dinner with my family. My parents live in town.”

“Oh nice,” Leo said. “I didn’t know that.”

“Yeah, it’s great. I get to see them frequently. What about you?”

“Oh! I had dinner at Joel and Hayden’s new place. That was fun too. We had it kinda early in the day so I came home after, then sacked out and watched hockey.”

“You’re a hockey fan?” Nick asked, sounding surprised.

“I am. I know I don’t look it.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean it like that. You just didn’t put it on your list of hobbies.”

“Oops, must have forgotten. It’s kinda new, honestly. I started watching last season. Joel is related to Jamie Walsh. He plays for the?—”

“Evanston River Otters,” Nick finished, tossing the empty churro container in the trash.

“Yeah.” Leo brightened. “You’re a fan too?”

“Oh definitely. I mean, Heather—my sister—and her wife are super into women’s hockey and we go to games sometimes. I kinda got invested in the Otters a few years ago too though, when the players started coming out.”

“It’s funny, I was never into it all but Hayden kept raving about how awesome the team was and that they were totally queer. Last spring, Hayden and Joel came to Chicago to visit and we all went to see an Otters game. They lost, because they’re like terrible right now, but we had a blast. I had no idea I’d ever be into sports but add some queer players and I am so on board,” Leo said grinning.

He’d gone a little overboard, talking fast and practically bouncing around as he spoke. He grimaced. Lots of people told him they found it annoying. But Nick merely smiled.

“Yeah, that’s great. I am envious you got to see them play live though. That sounds fun.”

“We had a blast .” Leo took a sip, enjoying the warmth of the spiced cider. “And we got to go back to meet some of the players. Jamie Walsh is so nice and his husband is super cute. I mean, like all of the players were ridiculously hot. But, sadly, all taken, as far as I could tell. At least the gay ones.”

He let out a self-conscious little laugh. “Oh, but you probably don’t want to hear about me drooling over dudes.”

Nick shot him a quizzical look. “Why? It’s not like I mind?—”

A loud cheer broke out from the crowd and Leo glanced up to see a festive banner held by two warmly dressed people round the corner, a brightly lit firetruck behind them.

“Ooh,” Leo said, excited. “It looks like the parade is starting!”

Leo was adorable .

His enthusiasm and energy were infectious and Nick spent as much time watching Leo take in the parade as he did watching it himself.

Despite the crappy way Leo’s evening had started, he threw himself into the festivities with his whole being. He cheered loudly at the firetruck with Santa’s sleigh and reindeer atop it and caught candy thrown to the crowd, handing it off to nearby kids who weren’t tall enough to grab it on their own.

He chatted excitedly to the people next to him, beaming when they offered him a splash of spiced rum for his cider.

From the floats designed to look like a train to the marching band from the local community college playing Here Comes Santa Claus , the entire event was a celebration of holiday cheer. It was cheesy and silly and so much more fun with Leo excitedly grabbing his arm to point out something he’d spotted.

Nick enjoyed the event for the first time in years.

When it was over, and the crowd dispersed, Leo turned to him, his face glowing as much as the floats had been.

“That was amazing,” he said, bouncing on his toes. “I loved that!”

“I’m so glad,” Nick said honestly. Because what could have been an awful evening for Leo had wound up being fun for both of them and he appreciated how full of life Leo was. How joyous and optimistic he seemed. “Thanks for letting me tag along with you.”

“Yeah, any time!” Leo stuffed his hands in his pockets. His cheeks were pink-tinged and he looked so cozy in his parka and knitted winter hat, scarf, and gloves. “Well, I guess I should say goodnight. I’m uh, heading back to my place.”

“Oh, I’m, uh, walking that direction anyway,” Nick said, oddly reluctant to see the night end. “If you want to stick with me. Wouldn’t want you to get lost.”

Leo shot him an amused glance but nodded. “Sure. Sounds good.”

“So how are you settling into Christmas Falls?” Nick asked as they followed the wave of people dispersing, heading back to their homes for the evening or to enjoy the rest of the evening at a bar or restaurant.

Leo smiled. “Honestly, it’s been great. Everyone is so friendly. Cassie—who works at the bakery—I met her husband at Thanksgiving and he seems great. We’re going to grab a drink sometime. As friends,” he added hastily.

Nick smiled. “I didn’t think you were planning on dating him. As far as I know, they’re monogamous. And you indicated you were too on the form …”

“Yeah, I am,” Leo said. “I mean, no shade to people who aren’t. I … I guess I’m not wired that way. I want to make a life with someone. One person. Like, I don’t want to make them my whole world. I think it’s important people have outside interests and other friends and stuff but you know, I want to come home to my person , you know?”

“I get that,” Nick said softly. “I had that.”

“I can’t imagine how hard it is when you lose them,” Leo said, his voice filled with so much compassion it made Nick’s chest ache.

“It’s like a part of me went missing,” he whispered.

“Do you think you’ll ever look for it again?” Leo asked.

“I do,” Nick said firmly. “I don’t know when. But Nic would haunt me if I gave up on love for myself permanently.”

“Well, be careful,” Leo said, his voice gently teasing. “It is Christmas. You might find yourself haunted by three ghosts.”

Nick chuckled. “True. Though I’m not much of a Scrooge.”

“No. You seem like a very nice person.”

Nick glanced over at him. Being called a nice person was often an insult or at least, a mediocre compliment. But the sincerity and warmth in Leo’s eyes dispelled any thoughts it was either. “Thank you.”

They slowed to a stop and Nick realized he’d walked Leo all the way to his door instead of splitting off and turning onto Prancer Street.

“I hope I end up with someone half as good as you someday,” Leo said earnestly.

“I promise I’ll do better next time with your date,” Nick said, desperately wanting Leo to believe him. “There’s a guy named Jett who I want you to meet. I haven’t had much luck finding him a date—and I swear it has nothing to do with him—he’s great. I think you’ll hit it off.”

“Yeah?” Leo asked dubiously.

“He’s a coder, so I’m sure you have a fair amount in common with work.”

“True.”

“And he’s good-looking and seems very normal!”

“Yeah?”

Nick smiled. He could hardly blame Leo for being a little skeptical of that. “I mean, I can’t promise he won’t randomly show up dressed like Mrs. Claus or something?—”

Leo chuckled.

“But he’s gotten great feedback from other people. He hasn’t found the right person yet but I have a good feeling you two will hit it off,” Nick said firmly.

“I hope so,” Leo said. “Because so far, this is the best date I’ve ever been on.”

He must have seen the look on Nick’s face because he let out an awkward laugh and hastily added, “not that this was a date or anything. I mean, you’re straight and not looking for love right now and?—”

Nick winced. “I’m not—I’m not straight, Leo.”

Leo’s jaw dropped and he blinked at Nick. “You’re not?”

“No. I’m bi,” he said. “You’re right about the fact that I’m not looking for love right now, but when I am, I’m open to falling in love with anyone.”

“Oh. Sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed …”

Nick’s smile was rueful. People always did. Even ones in the LGBTQ+ community. Because he’d been married to a woman, they’d assumed he was straight. He shrugged. “It happens.”

“Yes, but I should know better. I’ll do better.”

The sincerity in Leo’s voice and gaze made Nick believe it. “Thanks,” he said softly. “And I hope you didn’t take what I said the wrong way. It’s not … it’s not that I wouldn’t date you, Leo. You’re a fantastic guy, handsome, incredibly interesting to talk to. I’m not …”

“It’s not me, it’s you?” Leo said and there was a wry little twist to his lips.

Nick chuckled. “Pretty much.”

“Hey, I get it.” Leo reached out and squeezed his upper arm. “No hard feelings. You aren’t ready to date and I understand why.”

“Thanks. I did enjoy spending the evening with you,” Nick admitted. “Honestly. I’d like it if we were friends.”

Leo nodded, licking his lips. They were fuller than Nick had realized. Softer looking. “I’d like that too. G’night, Nick.”

“Night, Leo.” As Nick turned and walked away, a little dazed.

A small piece of him felt guilty for being grateful Dylan hadn’t shown up tonight. If he had, Nick would have missed out on a fantastic evening with Leo and he wasn’t sure what to make of that.

He’d said he’d wanted to be friends with Leo, and that was true. But was it the whole truth?