12 Dates of Christmas (Christmas Falls: Season 2)

CHAPTER TWELVE

“Hey, why the long face?” Joel asked.

Leo glanced up from his laptop with a watery smile. It had been two days since Nick walked out and there hadn’t been a peep from him.

Leo shrugged, not wanting to spill his guts in the middle of the bakery. It wasn’t super crowded but there were a few people here.

Heath Kelly was here, sipping coffee and doing something on his phone. An elderly couple he didn’t recognize was by the counter and a younger guy hung back, staring at the pastries. He was slim with blondish curls, kinda cute, but not cute enough to distract Leo from moping over Nick.

“Just feeling unlucky in love,” Leo admitted, glancing back at Joel.

“Aww. Mind if I sit?” The baker’s face creased into a worried frown.

“Nope.” It was mid-morning and he’d come downstairs to the bakery to work because he was afraid he was going to turn into a weird, depressed hermit staying in his apartment all day. But he was struggling to focus on anything. He needed a distraction.

“So, what happened? I thought you were going on some dates,” Joel said quietly.

“Yeah, I was. They’re not going well. And, like, I kinda hooked up with someone else who I thought it might go somewhere with and yeah … totally backfired on me.” Leo sighed, staring at the half-eaten piece of quiche on the plate. It was delicious but it couldn’t compete with the knot in Leo’s stomach.

“Backfired how?”

Leo shrugged. “He’s not—he’s not looking for a relationship.”

“Hey, what can I get you?” Cassie asked.

Leo glanced over at the curly-haired guy who stood by the counter now. “Two cinnamon rolls, please.”

“I’m sorry,” Joel said, his tone sympathetic. “Dating can be hard.”

Leo rolled his eyes, settling back in his chair and focusing on Joel again. “Says the man with the perfect relationship.”

“Hey, it took me a long time to find someone,” Joel pointed out. “I had my share of disappointments.”

“Yeah. I dunno. Maybe I made a mistake moving to Christmas Falls.”

Joel gave him a horrified look. “No. We can’t have you thinking that! Hey, why don’t you come over this evening and hang out?”

“With you and Hayden?”

“Well, I know we’re not the most exciting people,” Joel teased. “And we still have boxes to unpack. But you haven’t met our new cat yet! And there’s a comfy couch to hang out on while you and Hayden can catch up. I feel like I’ve been monopolizing his time lately.”

“Nah, it’s all good,” Leo said with a wave of his hand. It was true he and Hayden hadn’t hung out much lately but that wasn’t Joel’s fault. He was busy with the bakery this time of year so he and Hayden tried to spend as much time together as they could when they weren’t working. “But I will come over later today, if you’re sure that’s okay.”

“Yeah, of course,” Joel said, giving him a warm smile behind his ginger beard. “We’d love to have you. I’ll let Hayden know.”

“Sounds good.” Leo offered a tentative smile. “I mean, I’ll be fine. I’m just feeling mopey and a little lonely and unappreciated. Part of it is probably the holidays. It—it’s hard being single this time of year, you know?”

“I know.” Joel stood and patted his shoulder. “But you do have friends here.”

“Thanks. I appreciate that. It means a lot to me,” he said honestly.

“Good. Now, I should get back to work. Those gingerbread men don’t decorate themselves.”

Leo smiled. “You never know! When I was a kid, there was a book at my grandma’s house I loved. I think it belonged to my mom when she was little. There were these little gingerbread bears who came to life and helped with the holiday preparations. They cleaned the kitchen and decorated the tree and knitted a sweater or something. It was super cute.”

“It sounds cute. Hmm, maybe I should do some bears this year …” Joel walked off, muttering to himself about bear ears.

Leo smiled faintly, ducking his head and returning his attention to the laptop in front of him, the jingle of the bell as someone left the shop a familiar background noise.

“So you did the complete opposite of what I suggested and it backfired on you?” Hayden said, later that evening.

Leo, who was lying on the floor of Joel and Hayden’s new living room, petting their new black cat, Coal, sighed. “Kind of.”

Hayden stepped closer, staring down at him and Coal. “I told you to give the other guys a real chance and, instead, you slept with Nick!”

“Umm,” Leo said, pretending to be fascinated by the vintage light fixture above his head. “No?”

“No to which one?” Hayden put his hands on his hips, his expression sharpening to a glare.

“I mean, I did try to give the other guys a real chance,” Leo pointed out. “Then I selflessly helped Jett get together with his dude!”

“And you slept with Nick.”

Leo grimaced. “I did do that, yes.”

“And he pulled a fuck and duck on you?”

Leo covered his face with his hands. “He didn’t fuck and duck on me,” he muttered, his words a little muffled.

“Well, what the hell else do you call it?”

Leo rolled onto his side, then sat up, trying not to squish the cat. “I’m the first person he’s had sex with since his wife died, Hayden. The first man he’s ever had sex with. He’s allowed to be a little confused and need a little time to get his head in order.”

“He is,” Hayden said, plopping onto the floor in front of him and dragging Coal onto his lap. “He’s allowed to do that for sure. But saying he wants you and claiming what he did was unprofessional, then saying he doesn’t do casual … that’s a lot of mixed messages, Leo.”

“I know.” Leo sighed, his shoulders slumping.

“And it’s been a couple of days and you haven’t heard from him,” Hayden pointed out, rubbing between the cat’s ears.

“Uuugh.” Leo slumped backwards, staring at the ceiling again. “I know.”

“Why don’t you take a little break?” Hayden said softly.

“From life? Tell me how because that sounds amazing.”

“Well, I meant from dating. Life seems a little melodramatic.”

“That’s me,” Leo muttered. “The melodramatic dateless wonder.”

“Oh my God.” Hayden let out a huff. “You are fucking ridiculous.”

“It was the best sex of my life!” Leo protested. “I am allowed to be a little ridiculous.”

“I think there’s some recency bias there, but sure.”

A quiet rapping noise filled the air and Leo rolled his head to see Joel holding out a plate of something. “I apologize for interrupting but would fresh pumpkin cinnamon rolls be a welcome addition to this pity party?”

“Hell yes,” Leo said. “I might even get off the floor for that.”

Joel laughed and crossed the room, setting the plate on the rug between Leo and Hayden. “No need. I’m happy to do a delivery.”

“You’re the best,” Hayden said with a sigh as he reached for one.

Coal stretched out, his nose quivering as he sniffed the pastry. Joel scooped him up, holding him like a baby.

“You really are,” Leo agreed, rolling onto his side and staring up at Hayden’s handsome baker and their adorable new pet. “A prince among men.”

“Nah, just a baker with a knack for comfort food,” Joel said with a twinkle in his eyes.

Leo stuffed a bite of the rich, soft pastry in his mouth. “I’d marry you if I could,” he muttered around the mouthful.

“Excuse me!” Hayden protested. “You will not.”

Leo swallowed. “That’s why I said if I could . Sadly, you don’t want to be sister wives.”

Hayden glowered. “I’d say get your own man but that’s what got you into this mess in the first place!”

“You aren’t very nice to me,” Leo pointed out, scooping up a dollop of cream cheese threatening to slide off the roll.

“I’m letting you mope on my living room floor and my boyfriend is feeding you fresh baked goods. I’m very nice.”

“If you were really nice, you’d let me borrow him,” Leo teased.

Hayden made an outraged noise and Leo giggled, his mood already lifting. Maybe it was the baked goods. Maybe it was having friends like this he could vent to, but he couldn’t stay mopey for long.

“I’ll be fine,” he said with a sigh. “Eventually. I’m going to let Nick know I’m taking a break from the matchmaking until the holidays are over and focusing on making friends in the area for a while.”

“Sounds like a good plan,” Hayden said. “And I’m sorry things got so messy with Nick.”

“Meh.” Leo shrugged. “Story of my life.”

Nick,

I understand why you needed some space after the other night. But I think we should keep things professional going forward.

For my sake, I think I’m going to take a break from matchmaking until the new year. I need to clear my head. Thanks for how hard you’ve worked to try to find me someone and I’ll let you know when I’m ready to start dating again.

I wish you the best. Enjoy the holidays.

Your friend, Leo

p.s. If the website needs anything, please reach out via email. I think phone convos aren’t the best for me right now.

With a pounding heart, Leo hit Send on the email, closed his laptop, and stood.

He’d been thinking about Hayden’s words since last night and although it sucked to have to step back from dating and talking to Nick, it was the right choice. No point in him moping around. He was going to take a little break, enjoy the holidays the best he could, and he’d worry about dating when he was ready.

He’d put too much pressure on himself to find someone quickly. That was all.

With that done, he decided to take a mid-morning coffee and pastry break. Otherwise, he’d obsessively stalk his email inbox, waiting for a response.

The bakery downstairs was warm and fragrant with spices and baking bread when he slipped through the back door into the hallway. Joel’s office door was open and Hayden waved at him as he passed. He waved distractedly back, a phone pressed between his ear and shoulder as he wrote something down.

Leo helped himself to some coffee, then got in line behind a couple of people.

Across the room, Heath Kelly waved, on his way out the door. “Have a good day, Leo!”

“You too!” Leo waved back and the bell tinkled as Heath walked out.

They’d been running into each other a lot lately. Heath seemed to stop into the bakery right around the time Leo took his mid-morning breaks.

Leo chatted with a couple of people while he waited in line, listening to an older woman talk about how someone had cleared the sidewalk for her following a dusting of snow they’d gotten recently.

“Seems to be going around,” another woman said. “There have been all kinds of good deeds happening around town.”

Leo smiled, a little of the weight he’d been carrying on his shoulders melting away. The talk with Hayden and Joel last night had helped and he felt better now that he’d sent the email.

It sucked. He missed Nick. Missed talking to him.

But there were great things about living here too and he needed to focus on the positives and enjoy the holidays as much as possible.

“Oh, hey!” Cassie said when he reached the front of the line. “There’s a package for you!”

“Yeah?” His mail was mixed in with the bakery’s when it arrived, and Joel had hung a little post box on the wall of the stairwell leading up to his apartment. There was no good place to leave a package though, so they held them in Joel’s office until he picked them up. “Probably something from my mom. I’ve tried to keep the late-night shopping to a minimum lately.”

Cassie laughed. “No, not that kind of package. It’s something someone hand delivered. It’s tagged with your name though!”

“Oh.” Leo tilted his head. “Well, that’s weird. Wonder who it’s from.”

“No idea. We got busy at the bakery this morning and all of a sudden, I turned around and saw it on the counter. I asked around but no one fessed up to dropping it off.”

“Mysterious! I’m intrigued.”

“Me too!” Cassie said. “Be right back with it.”

Leo waited patiently for her to return, then ordered a pastry to go. He juggled it, a cup of coffee, and the box on the way up to his apartment, too curious to wait and see what was inside.

He munched on the cranberry nut puff pastry tree as he sliced the box open with a pair of scissors. Inside the plain brown box, he found some candy-cane striped paper. He peeled it back to reveal a small Lego snowman set, a little package of chocolates from Jingle Bites Chocolate Haven—a shop in town—and a simple origami kit with paper and instructions to make snowflakes and Christmas trees. There was also a note.

Leo picked it up and read it carefully.

Leo,

Welcome to Christmas Falls! My elves told me you’re having a rough time lately. Sometimes the holidays can be tough but I hope these small gifts put a smile on your face and take your mind off your woes!

Happy Holidays, Your Secret Santa

Leo smiled. What a sweet gesture. Who on earth was it from though? His first thought was Joel and Hayden but it wasn’t either of their styles. Hayden’s love language was sarcasm and tough love and Joel’s was baked goods.

Had Cassie done it and made up the story about it being from someone else? Had Nick sent it?

God a part of Leo wanted it to be Nick but no, he had seen Nick’s handwriting and it looked nothing like this.

With a shrug, Leo popped one of the chocolates in his mouth, moaning as it melted on his tongue. Well that was delicious. He was definitely going to have to go check the shop out soon.

And he’d put the Lego snowman together tonight while he watched the Otters lose.

Later that evening, Nick read Leo’s email three times, feeling worse with every pass he made. Fuck.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

He had royally screwed up, hadn’t he?

The other night, Nick had been filled with determination to move forward with his life and let Leo know he wanted to date him but he’d needed some time to get his thoughts in order and now … Yeah, now Leo thought Nick had blown him off.

And he was giving up on dating completely.

Which, Nick didn’t hate the idea of Leo taking a break from dating other people. But Nick needed to get his shit together and show Leo he was serious about dating him .

Because Nick wasn’t sure he could think of the guy he’d held in his arms the other night as just a friend . No, Leo felt like someone Nick wanted to get to know better. Someone who could be a very important part of Nick’s future if he was lucky.

And now he was hurt because of the way Nick had acted.

“Oh, Jelly, I’m not very bright, am I?” Nick muttered.

She chirruped and kneaded his thigh, her razor-sharp claws sinking into the denim and pricking his skin. He flinched, but didn’t dislodge her. He probably deserved worse.

With a sigh, Nick navigated away from the message. Okay, he’d definitely reply to Leo’s email later but first, he needed to talk to his sister.

“No shit,” she said with a snort several hours later as he slumped at her kitchen table. “I could have told you that weeks ago.”

“What?” he sputtered. “But how did you …”

“Oh, come on. It was so obvious you were interested in Leo.” She smirked. “God, I could see it at the Parade of Lights.”

“Am I the only one who didn’t know?” he asked helplessly.

She shrugged. “I don’t know, there’s probably someone deep in the jungles of the Amazon or high in the Himalayas who didn’t notice, but you were broadcasting your interest in him pretty loudly.”

Nick rolled his eyes. “Well someone could have told me.”

“I didn’t think you were ready,” she said softly. “I thought you needed more time.”

“So did I!” he admitted.

“Are you sure you still don’t?”

Nick sighed. “I’m sure if I don’t try with Leo, I’ll regret it. The sex was amazing and?—”

“That doesn’t mean you’re ready for a relationship,” she pointed out.

“I know.” He wrapped his hands around his mug of peppermint tea. “But I—I care about him. He makes me feel alive and excited about life again. He makes me feel like it’s worth risking my heart again.”

“Oh, Nick.”

“What?”

She reached out and squeezed his arm. “I’m glad. I’m glad you feel that way. I just—be careful, okay?”

“Careful of what?”

“Leo. No one deserves to have someone toy with their feelings.”

“I didn’t—well, I didn’t mean to toy with him.”

“I know. I know it wouldn’t be intentional. But take it slow, okay? If you confess your feelings, he might be willing to give you another shot, but don’t just immediately hop into bed with him again. Take your time to get to know him this time. Date him.”

“Hmm,” Nick said. That was good advice and he wasn’t opposed to it. “Like ask him to dinner?”

Heather shook her head, a pained expression crossing her face. “You know, I never knew how dense you were when it comes to romance. I had no idea it was all Nicole who made your relationship seem like a fairy tale.”

Nick let out an outraged noise of protest. “Hey! That’s not fair. I was a great husband!”

She grinned. “You have to admit, she made it easy on you.”

“She did,” he acknowledged.

“So, step up your game this time!” Heather said with a laugh. “You’re a matchmaker . You have all of the info about what Leo is looking for right in front of you. If you’re serious about winning Leo back, be as objective as you can and put those skills to good use. Romance him!”

“Romance him,” Nick mouthed.

“Oh for God’s sake,” she muttered, then raised her voice. “Edie! Come here. We need reinforcements. My brother is useless and he needs all of the help we can give him so he doesn’t completely fuck up the rest of his life!”

Under the table, Nick kicked her shin and she yelped, kicking him back.

Nick grinned into his mug of tea, feeling hopeful. With Edie and Heather helping, surely he couldn’t screw this up.

“Hey there, fancy meeting you here.”

Leo glanced up to see Heath Kelly, the Hallmark movie heartthrob, smiling at him. “Oh, hi.” He smoothed down his hair.

He’d come downstairs for a mid-morning break from work to get a pastry and some coffee, which was becoming a routine of his. Heath usually stopped by around the same time and they kept running into each other.

“So, how’s work going? You’re a web developer, right?” Heath asked.

“Oh, pretty good,” Leo said, flattered he’d remembered. “You know, the same ol’ same ol’ most days, but it pays the bills.” He laughed awkwardly. “Not that you know what that’s like. I’m sure being an actor is a lot more exciting.”

Heath leaned in. “I don’t know. Some days it can be tedious.”

“Yeah?” Leo asked, curious. There were a few people ahead of them in line so maybe Heath wouldn’t mind chatting about it.

“Well, sometimes it’s a lot of standing around. Two minutes of shooting, then forty-five to set up a slightly different angle.”

“Interesting.” Leo took a sip of his coffee.

“God no. Horribly tedious.”

Leo chuckled. “Okay, fair. But the premieres must be glamorous.”

“Yes. Although after, my feet and my face hurt.”

“Face?”

“From smiling.” He flashed a perfect, even white smile Leo’s way.

“Tragic.”

“Very,” Heath said, stepping a little closer, his expression turning serious. “Honestly, I’m lucky. I love what I do. But yeah, it’s not all glitz and glam.”

“That’s fair.” No job was.

“Hey, Leo, what can I get you this morning?”

He glanced across the counter to see Cassie grinning at him. “Oh! Sorry. I was distracted. Um …” He scanned the bakery and his jaw nearly dropped at the new addition. “Oh my God. I have to try one of those gingerbread cinnamon rolls. That sounds incredible .”

“They’re killer,” Cassie said. “New addition to the menu this season. My idea, actually, if I can brag a little.” She polished her nails on her apron.

“Awesome!” Leo brightened. “That’s cool that Joel’s putting your recipes on the menu.”

“He’s a great boss! Couldn’t ask for better.” She slid one of the rolls onto a plate. “Want it warmed up?”

“Yes please.”

She glanced between Leo and Heath. “Together or separate?”

“Separate,” Leo said as Heath settled a hand on his waist, leaning closer. “Together.”

“Oh, you don’t have to,” Leo said, surprised and a little confused. “I’ve got it.”

“I know I don’t have to.” Heath smiled at him. “But I’d like to, if you don’t mind.”

“I, uhh, no, that’s fine,” Leo managed. Was … was Heath flirting with him?

He studied Heath as he ordered a slice of vegan roasted red pepper, spinach, and tomato quiche.

Like Nick, he was … tall, dark, and handsome too. With thick wavy brown hair and stunning features, he belonged in movies. Hell, on paper he was better looking than Nick. But he didn’t make Leo’s stomach go all fluttery.

After Heath paid, he took his plate, and Leo’s, then turned to face him.

“So, I’ve definitely noticed you around, Leo,” Heath said, his gaze sweeping appreciatively over Leo’s body. “I’d love to get to know you more.”

“Yeah?”

“ Absolutely .”

Leo hesitated. “Well, unless you have somewhere you need to be right now, we could start with a quick bite? We could share a table while we enjoy our treats and coffee.”

He had work to do today but as long as he got it finished by the deadline tomorrow, they didn’t care when he did it.

Heath flashed him a brilliant smile. “Sure. Sounds great.”

They took seats at the tiny table, shifting their chairs until they were side by side to accommodate a mother with a stroller at a nearby table.

Leo sat and Heath touched his shoulder. “I’m going to grab some coffee. You want a top-up on yours?”

“Nah, I’m good,” Leo said. “Thanks.”

Heath turned to go but not before he looked Leo up and down again, his gaze lingering, a smile crossing his face as he turned away.

Huh . It was flattering to have a movie star look at him like he was as tasty as Joel’s baked goods.

It felt like cool, soothing aloe slathered on his scorched ego.

Having sex with Nick had been a mistake. Leo should’ve known Nick wasn’t ready. And that was … that was okay. Nick should take all of the time he needed. But Leo definitely deserved more.

When Heath returned, they struck up an easy conversation. He seemed like a nice person, though a little more physical than Leo liked a guy to be—putting his hand on Leo’s knee a lot—but he was handsome and funny and charming and frankly, Leo was bored stiff.

Leo should be gobbling up the attention but something about it felt … wrong.

Fuck.

Maybe he wasn’t ready right now either but also, Heath was laying it on pretty thick. Ohh, maybe he was the Secret Santa.

“Are you my Secret Santa?” Leo blurted out.

A puzzled look crossed Heath’s face before he leaned in, smirking. “Do you want me to be?”

“Uhh, well, I mean, someone delivered a package the other day with a bunch of little gifts in it that made me smile.”

He’d finished the Lego snowman and set it up on his dresser in his bedroom, then folded snowflakes and trees to make a garland to hang on the wall in his living room behind the couch.

Heath shook his head. “No, wasn’t me. I wouldn’t mind making you smile though.”

“Am I … am I reading this the right way?” Leo blurted out.

Heath smiled, reaching for his coffee. “Well, how are you reading this?”

“That you’re interested in me.”

Heath sat back in his chair. “I’m very interested in you. I’m a little concerned it took you this long to figure it out though.”

“Well, I didn’t want to assume … and that’s uh, flattering,” Leo said, rubbing his neck. “But are you looking to date anyone seriously?”

Heath winced and sat forward. “I’m not looking for anything serious, no. Just … maybe some fun for a bit? Not a one-night stand but an ongoing hookup while I’m in town? Casual but fun, you know?”

“Yeahhh,” Leo said with a sigh. “I’m not sure that’s going to work for me. I kinda—there’s kinda someone else I’m into.”

Heath frowned. “Is he interested in you?”

“Not as much as I’d like.”

“Well, then maybe you should think about?—”

“I’m sorry to interrupt your date, Leo, but there’s something you need to know.”

Leo blinked, sure he was imagining the familiar voice but when he glanced up, Nick stood nearby, clutching a bouquet of flowers.

“What? What the hell are you doing here?” Leo sputtered, rising to his feet.

Nick smiled. “Romancing you.”

Leo blinked, unexpected anger rising up. “You—fu—fureaking walked out of my apartment the other night and said you weren’t ready!”

“I know.” Nick grimaced. “I needed a few days to get my thoughts together.”

“You let me think you didn’t want me, Nick!” he whispered, aware of how quiet the bakery had gone and the people staring intently at them.

“I know.” Nick looked miserable. “I did. And I’m sorry. I screwed up. I know I did, Leo. But I—I want you to know I care about you. I want to date you.”

“I told you I was taking a break from dating,” he said weakly.

Nick glanced at Heath who was looking at Leo and Nick with rapt attention. “Uhh, were you?”

“Yes! This was—um, okay, so maybe Heath was interested but I was about to tell him I only wanted to be friends.”

“It’s true.” Heath let out a long-suffering sigh. “I could feel the rejection coming.”

“Why is that?” Nick asked softly, looking at Heath. “Why didn’t you want to date him?”

“Well, he’s not interested in dating me,” Leo pointed out. “He was only into the idea of casually hooking up, which you of all people should know is not what I want!”

“Fuck.” Nick took a step forward. “I’m sorry, Leo. I regret that I didn’t stay and talk to you the other night.”

Leo nodded.

“Unfortunately, I can’t undo the past. But if you’ll give me a chance, I’d like to show you I can do better. I want to see if we have a future together.”

“Good line,” Heath said softly.

Leo was tempted to laugh but he couldn’t look away from Nick’s beautiful brown eyes. He looked so hopeful. So determined.

“Let me take you out on some dates,” Nick continued. “Let me show you we could be good together.”

Leo hesitated, biting his lip. “You were supposed to be matching me with someone else.”

“I was,” Nick agreed, holding out the flowers. “But I don’t want you to meet anyone else. I want you to fall in love with me. I want you to see you’re my perfect match.”

Damn it, that was a good line too.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Heath nodding approvingly.

Leo sighed, reaching out to take the bouquet Nick was offering. The flowers were gorgeous. Leo spotted red and white roses and white lilies, with some ferns, but he didn’t have a clue what the other half of them were. Just knew they were dramatic and unusual, in shades of red, white, and green with little red ornament bulbs and white twiggy things scattered throughout.

A stunning bouquet. Nick had gone all-out.

But as Leo looked into Nick’s eyes again, it wasn’t the showy flowers tugging at his heart. It was the sincerity in his gaze.

Wary but hopeful, Leo made his decision.

“Right now, I’m agreeing to one date,” he said, narrowing his eyes. “And you better impress me, Mr. Matchmaker.”