Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36122 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36122 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 181(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
“Okay, so the Christmas tree will go over there. Cash bar next to it. Ticket table by the main doors. Refreshment tables along the back wall. Silent auction items along the sides.” Gesturing around the room, he addressed everyone who’d come to help, a smaller group than he’d hoped for, but they’d make it work. He hoped. “Centerpieces for the tables in the middle. And then the stage is to be set up for Santa and the story reading. All the boxes are labeled, so we can start with unloading the truck, bringing items to their designated areas. Got it?”
Everyone agreed and then headed to where the rental truck was parked. He’d been assembling boxes for weeks at their headquarters—decorations, donations for the auction, books, and more. And then that morning, the volunteer who’d claimed to know how to drive a large truck had bailed. But luckily, Esteban had a secret weapon.
Russ had shown up early to load up at headquarters, bringing a muffin for Esteban and a willingness to take direction that Esteban had appreciated. Esteban remembered how helpful Russ had been at Thanksgiving, but he hadn’t been sure how that attitude would translate to a bigger, multi-layered project. Russ could’ve been gruff and take-charge with a crowd, given his military background.
But he hadn’t been. He’d let Esteban give orders and had moved quickly to carry them out, only speaking up when it was relevant, like sharing that he’d driven plenty of large vehicles in the marines and had no issues being the one to drive the truck.
“Your new boyfriend is a keeper,” Nancy, another volunteer, observed as they made their way down the back staircase to the alley where the truck was parked.
“Possibly.” Esteban kept his voice light.
They’d agreed to keep the same story for everyone at the event rather than try and have the ruse only be for Russ’s relatives. Esteban had been out at work from the beginning, and it wouldn’t be that hard to spread the same “we’re better as friends” breakup story to his contacts.
“I mean it,” she insisted, blue hair gleaming in the morning light. “He looks at you like you’re exactly what he wanted in his stocking. And he lets you be your best, bossiest self.”
“This is true.” Russ was incredibly good for his ego, acting like Esteban’s time was a precious gift.
He’d let Esteban direct their encounters, like dragging him to the kitchen store the previous weekend. In the two weeks since Thanksgiving, they’d had the cookware shopping trip, followed by an impromptu cooking lesson in Russ’s kitchen, and several other casual encounters around the complex. Somehow, they always seemed to chat long enough to lose track of time and more than once Esteban had invited Russ in simply to get out of the weather, then ended up feeding him and talking even longer.
Their interactions reminded Esteban of cooking. Some careful prep work resulted in an interesting, complex dish. It took time to get Russ to open up, but it was worth it. He appreciated Russ’s stories about his military days and his dry jokes and his insightful questions about Esteban’s life.
“Is that too much for you?” Esteban stepped away from Nancy to stop Russ as he passed with a stack of boxes.
“Nah. It’s my knees and not my back that I need to worry about. I told you. Put me to work.”
Russ did seem happier than Esteban had seen him outside of a few unguarded moments. As the morning wore on, the more tasks Esteban had for Russ—from assembling a large artificial tree to hanging décor—the more he seemed to relax. Smile even. And he was thoughtful too—not simply some worker drone. He’d brought Esteban the muffin to start the day, did a coffee run mid-morning without being asked, and chided him into taking a break from fussing with the silent auction tables and eating a sandwich for a late lunch.
“It’s looking perfect,” Russ assured him as they ate, sitting on the edge of the stage. “You’ll have time to duck home and shower before the doors open.”
“What? I’m not presentable enough?” Teasing, Esteban gestured at the sweatshirt advertising the charity and old jeans he’d tossed on for the setup.
“Well, I think you’re fine.” Russ’s cheeks colored. “But I also know you by now. You’ve probably got a designer outfit with a matching tie waiting.”
“Guilty. The designer part is debatable, but I found a tie with a Twas the Night Before Christmas theme.”
“See?” Russ’s smile was warm enough chase out the chill of the cavernous space. “And don’t worry. I’m cleaning up too. I won’t embarrass you.”
“That’s the last thing I’m concerned about.” Esteban waved the ridiculous worry away. Anyone would be lucky to have a hulking guy like Russ as arm candy. And one who knew him so well after only a few weeks of friendship? Well, Esteban knew a rare treat when he found one. “You’re the best fake boyfriend I’ve ever had. Everyone loves you. I’m going to get some major stink-eye when I let you get away.”