Cole for Christmas

Cassie

I swiveled on my office chair as I sipped on my Peppermint Mocha Latte from Starbucks. Yes, it was that time of year. December had begun, and so did the hustle and bustle of Christmas. The glow of colorful lights lit up the neighborhoods. Every car on the street seemed to have a freshly cut evergreen tree tied to the top. Stores were packed with people trying to find the perfect gift. Here I was, turning into a grinch.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas. For some reason, this year, it’s taking me a little longer to get into the holiday spirit. I stared at my laptop, wondering how my life became so mundane. Not even the twinkling lights made me smile this year. I was in a major rut, and I had no idea how to get out of it.

“Are we going out tonight?”

Tessa, my best friend, popped her head over my cubicle. I’ve known Tessa pretty much my whole life. We’ve been through a lot together. She was the one constant in my life I could always count on.

“Ugh. I don’t know, Tess. I was thinking of going home and curling up with a good book.”

Tessa rolled her eyes as she set her chin on her arms, which were draped over my small wall. “You need to curl up with a man, not a book.”

I huffed and shook my head. “Because so many men are lining up for me.”

“They would! If you threw on a nice outfit and got your cute ass out there!” When I didn’t respond, she continued, “You’re not going to get out of this weird funk you’re in if you keep doing the same shit every night.”

She was right, of course. Nothing was going to change unless I changed it.

“Fine.”

Tessa popped up, clapping. “Yay! Okay, you are coming home with me after work. I don’t trust you to go to your place and actually come out.”

I laughed. She was right, again. If I went home, I’d think of some excuse to stay there.

Our favorite local bar was busier than usual for a Thursday night. There was barely a spot to park.

“What is going on? Why is it so packed?”

Tessa shrugged as she stopped the car. “Maybe there is a special or a band?”

I nodded toward a large group of people walking in with gifts. “Must be a private party.”

I pulled down the visor and checked my make-up one last time. I didn’t get dressed up often, so when I went out, I liked to get all dolled up. Sparkles around the eyes were always a must. I smoothed my hair into long, straight strands. Put on a cute skirt that was completely inappropriate for the weather outside. But, as Tessa said, I had to get my cute ass out there. I mean, my ass wasn’t literally hanging out, but you know what I’m saying.

A couple of candy cane martinis later, I was feeling great. Tessa was flirting with the bartender. I was always so amazed at her confidence. I couldn’t help but smile before taking another sip of the delicious martini that was sure to be my enemy tomorrow.

“Cassie?”

I almost spit out my drink when I heard the voice. Warren Dalton, my high school boyfriend. I hadn’t seen him in six years. He looked exactly the same, minus the expensive suit he was wearing.

“Holy shit! Warren!”

He laughed as I jumped up to give him a hug. “You always had a way with words.”

“What are you doing here? I thought you moved to New York or something.”

“I did. I’m in town for my wedding. We’re having it right before Christmas.” He nodded toward the large party in the backroom.

My eyebrows shot up. “Your wedding?”

“Yeah. Most of our family is here. We decided this was the best place to have it.”

“And who is the poor, unfortunate soul that got stuck with you?” Tessa squinted at him, inserting herself into the conversation.

“Good to see you too, Tessie.” She hated being called that, and he knew it too. “Still single, I assume?”

She scrunched up her face like we were kids again. All she had to do was stick out her tongue, and she would transport us back to grade school.

“Her name is Whitney.” He strained his neck as he looked toward the party, I was guessing to point her out.

My eyes followed Warren’s gaze. That’s when I saw him. Cole Dalton, Warren’s older brother. I had a secret crush on Cole for years. To be fair, every girl in high school did. He was always the cool, good-looking college guy. Being four years older than us, Cole wasn’t around often. But when he was, I needed to remind myself not to drool. Which actually wasn’t too hard since the guy hated me. I never knew what I had done, but Cole had made his feelings very clear over the years.

As Warren flagged his soon-to-be wife over, my eyes locked with Cole’s. Even from across the bar, I could see how bright blue they were. His blue eyes, along with his dark hair and strong facial features, made the man a god. Unfortunately, he knew it, too.

“I see a little drool,” Tessa whispered.

I immediately put a hand to my mouth. Once I realized she was messing with me, I elbowed her in the side. Luckily, Warren was too preoccupied waving his fiancé over to notice anything. We had a very amicable breakup. We were going off to college on separate sides of the country. It was the best decision for both of us. Although, I had a feeling he still wouldn’t want me pining over his brother.

“Oh my word, as I live and breathe! Cassie Foster?!”

Mrs. Dalton had always been the sweetest lady. Having two sons, she relished the girl time she had with me. Plus, my mom wasn’t around much. It was nice having someone who was there for me when I needed it.

“Mrs. D! It’s so good to see you.” I gave her a big hug.

She held me out at arm’s length. “Let me take a look at you. So beautiful! All grown up. I thought you left town. Walter and I just got in from Florida a couple of days ago.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. Mrs. D was always all over the place.

“Mom. Chill.”

Completely ignoring her son, she gasped, “You have to come to the wedding!”

“Ummm…” Going to my ex-boyfriend’s wedding, while I’d consider him a friend, was still weird.

“Mom, you can’t just invite people to the wedding.”

She huffed. “Cassie isn’t just people.” She continued before I could think of a good excuse not to come, “Oh! You can accompany Cole!”

This time, it was Tessa’s turn to spit out her drink.

“I don’t think—” I started to speak, but she didn’t let me finish.

“—Cole! Cole Nicholas Dalton!” Mrs. D yelled as she looked around for her oldest son. “Where is that boy?”

I couldn’t help but giggle at Mrs. D using his last name. As if Cole Nicholas was so common.

“What did I do to deserve the middle name treatment?”

His deep voice startled me. I didn’t realize he had snuck up behind me, though I should have. His presence dominated the room.

“There you are. Look who is here!” Mrs. D gestured toward me as if I wasn’t standing right in front of him.

I could see Warren watching my reaction and felt myself blush. I tried to hide it by taking another sip of my martini. Okay, maybe sip wasn’t the best word. Gulp was probably more accurate. Tessa snickered, clearly enjoying the show.

“Whitney!”

I glanced over to see the most stunning woman. She had dark, flawless skin. Her black hair was styled perfectly in an updo. Her brown eyes sparkled as she gave everyone a genuine smile. Warren introduced us while Mrs. D went on about Cole taking me to the wedding. There was so much happening at once that I wasn’t sure where to look. That was the Daltons, though. It was always chaos.

“A little cold to be wearing such a revealing outfit.”

I felt his breath on my ear, causing my heart to skip a beat. Before I could turn around and ask him who he thought he was, Mrs. D started again.

“As I was saying, Cassie could accompany Cole to the wedding.” Her smile was enormous. She was clearly proud of her idea. I wouldn’t have been able to say no. Knowing Cole would, I felt like I was off the hook.

“I think that’s a great idea, Mom.”

I looked at Cole, mouth gaped open. I probably looked like a largemouth bass going in for its kill. Which was exactly what this wedding was going to do. Kill me.

“Fantastic!” Mrs. D was giddy with excitement. “I can’t wait to tell Walter.”

“I’ll help you find him,” the beautiful Whitney smiled at Mrs. D before turning toward me. “It was nice to meet you. I do hope you can come.”

I just smiled and nodded, unsure of what just happened.

“Talk to you soon, Cassie,” Warren spoke to me before he gave his brother a confusing look. Then he followed the rest of the family back to the party.

Before I could turn around and ask Cole what the hell he was doing, I felt a hand on my hip, holding me in place. He had his other hand on the bar, blocking me in. He was so close I could feel his chest press against my back.

“Maybe wear something less revealing at the wedding.”

That was it! I pushed his hand off me and spun around. “I’ll wear whatever I want to the wedding. If my attire bothers you, you shouldn’t have agreed to take me.”

The corner of his mouth curled into a smirk. His eyes scanned my body, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. He didn’t say another word before leaving to join his family at the party.

I looked at Tessa, shocked.

“We are going to need another candy cane martini down here, handsome,” Tessa yelled to the bartender.

“You got it!”

What the fuck just happened?