“That…was something else,” said Holly.
“Thanks for going with me off of the beaten path,” said Rowan. “I thought you’d like that.” He reluctantly buttoned up his shirt. He’d hoped that if Holly saw that his mark had changed, that he had a mate mark, that it wasn’t what she thought it was, that she’d changed her mind and let him tell her his story…but obviously, it had made her uncomfortable. No matter what Rowan did, it was the wrong thing, and it just seemed to make things between him and Holly even worse.
“I’ve never seen anything like that,” admitted Holly. “What was that?”
“Well, where I’m from, we call’m ‘shifter trails,’“ said Rowan. “I was surprised to see them up here. I didn’t think Montana had fireflies.”
“I’ve never seen fireflies glow in that many colors before,” said Holly. “It was like watching Christmas lights, but without the pesky wires.”
“I’ve never seen them glow all those colors either,” said Rowan. “There must be something in the air here.”
“Yeah — Christmas magic,” joked Holly, but she had no idea just how right she was. “Rowan, this may sound weird, but, I’m driving home. Would you want a ride?”
“A ride to…your house?” asked Rowan, confused.
“I live near the bakery so you could walk from my place to the bakery,” said Holly. “Krampus could pick you up from there or you two could meet up or whatever you have planned.”
“Oh, of course, that’s what you meant,” said Rowan. “Yeah. If it’s not too much trouble…I’d love a ride.”
“Then get in before I freeze my fingers off and can’t drive us anywhere,” said Holly.
Holly and Rowan got in the car. Holly pulled her car out of the lot. She and Rowan talked about the upcoming event and what they’d need to do the next day to get things ready. The streets of The Wreath were quiet, so Holly made good time back to the house she was renting from Avery.
Rowan got out of the car and walked Holly to the door.
“Thanks for taking me on the hike,” said Holly, looking at Rowan, who was light only by the unflattering automatic lights of her porch, but whose looks still managed to make her heart flutter. She knew what it meant when a guy walked a girl to a door. She knew what it implied. A kiss, at the least, and at most, something more…but Holly and Rowan had already tried to have their something more, and hadn’t become something more than they already were. There was no use trying a second time, having her heart broken again by Rowan before Christmas.
“You’re welcome,” said Rowan. “I enjoyed the company.
“Is this the part where I invite you in for hot cocoa?” asked Holly.
For a second, Rowan’s heart skipped a beat. Had things between him and Holly really changed? Had she felt the magic in that forest?
“But…we have a long day tomorrow,” finished Holly.
“Holly, I had a great time with you tonight,” said Rowan.
“I had a good time too,” said Holly.
“I know you said you didn’t want me to explain, but —” started Rowan.
“Rowan, it may feel like things have changed between us since I said that,” said Holly. “But…nothing’s changed. I’m not your mate, and I don’t want to hear the details about why. I’m sorry, but, that’s the only Christmas present I want this year. Just leave me with my dignity.”
“But —” started Rowan.
“No!” shouted Holly. “Sorry. Look. I just…I had fun tonight, and this’ll be a nice memory, but that’s all it is. See you tomorrow.”
“Alright,” said Rowan. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Rowan trudged back to the bakery, where the boat was at the dock. Krampus was either staying at Avery’s for the night or, he’d teleported himself back to the island. Rowan didn’t think to look at Krampus’ cabin and see if the light was on. He wasn’t thinking about anyone but Holly.
Chapter Eight
Christmas Eve Eve, 2012
Krampus hadn’t gone easy on Rowan just because they were volunteering at the speed dating event. He made sure Rowan was doing a lot of heavy lifting and running around. By the time the speed dating event was nearly set up, Rowan was super sweaty.
Rowan went to wash his hands and came back to the main hall of the community center. The sign-in table, activity centers, and snack and beverage areas were all set up. The set-up crew, consisting of Rowan, Holly, Krampus, Avery, and Jack and Pandora, wasn’t snacking on the miniature candy-canes, the mugs of warm mulled cider, or the bell-shaped sugar cookies.
As it was nearly Christmas, they ordered a classic — Chinese food. A spread of pork lo-mein, chicken and garlic dumplings, orange chicken, and of course, broccoli beef, was set out for the crew. Krampus was eating a jar of mapo tofu on a bed of ‘tree ear’ fungus. No rice, nothing else — just hot-sauced covered tofu and some mushroom-like things that Rowan was sure he’d seen Krampus growing on the Christmas tree farm.
“Krampus, are you sure you don’t want some of the chicken?” asked Avery, holding up a particularly glossy piece of orange chicken, a portion of orange chicken so shiny that it could make a tube of lip gloss jealous.
“Look — I can’t help it if I have a highly refined palate,” said Krampus, wiggling one of the ‘tree ears’ with his chopsticks. The blackish brown slice of fungus jiggled like a stripper the night before rent was due.
“This was quite the spread, Avery,” said Pandora.
“Yeah, thanks for ordering in,” said Jack. “We don’t have food like this down South.”
“Oh, you’re a Southerner?” asked Holly.
“You know…you could say that,” said Jack. Pandora shot Jack a look and he smirked back at her.
“There are egg tarts for dessert if anyone wants some,” said Avery.
“I could have one,” said Pandora.
“I’m stuffed,” said Holly, rubbing her wide belly. “I couldn’t eat another bite.”
“Then why don’t you run and get changed?” asked Avery.
“Get changed?” asked Holly. “Why? And into what?”
“Well, if you’re going to be playing the part of matchmaker, you best look the part,” said Avery. “It’s Christmas Eve’s Eve! You should be in your Christmas Eve’s Eve best!”
“That’s not a thing,” said Krampus.
“It is if I say it is!” snapped Avery. “Anyway, behind the stage, there’s a bright red bag with a change of clothes in it and some shoes. I think you’ll like what I picked out.”
“Whatever you do, don’t go into the green bag,” said Krampus.
“What’s in the green bag?” asked Holly.
“What this joker has to wear,” said Krampus, pointing his thumb at Rowan.
“Whoa, wait — I never agreed to wear a costume,” said Rowan.
“I got two words for you,” said Krampus. “Tough. Titties. If you’re done, go shower and change. There’s a shower near the bathrooms backstage. I don’t need your shifter musk stinking up the whole joint.”
Holly and Rowan walked backstage together. There were two bags — one red, one green, just as Avery and Krampus had said. Holly grabbed her purse and quickly made her way to the bathroom to change. Rowan took his bag and looked inside. He shook his head, went to the showers, took a quick shower with the toiletries in the green bag, and got changed.
Rowan walked out to the community center’s main hall.
“So…how do I look?” asked Rowan.
“You…look interesting,” said Holly, stifling a laugh.
Rowan turned and looked at Holly. His jaw nearly hit the floor. He’d expected that she’d be stuck in some silly outfit like him, not in something downright sexy.
Holly was wearing a red silk dress with a green tulle overlay. The dress had an empire waist that accentuated her curves. Whoever had said that BBWs couldn’t pull off an empire waist dress was wrong. Yes, it made Holly look curvier — but that was a good thing. Holly had on a pair of tights that
matched her skin tone and on her feet, a pair of red satin heels. The tip of each heel had a small golden jingle bell, so they lightly tinkled as she walked.
Of course, as it was Christmas, Holly had to have on one of her signature ‘ugly’ Christmas sweaters. Avery had provided Holly with an ugly Christmas bolero, rather than a full sweater. The bolero was in red with white markings, matching Holly’s red Santa hat, which had white fur trim.
“What?” asked Holly. “Don’t tell me — you think I look ugly.”
“I’d never say that,” said Rowan. “You look… perfect, Holly. Very festive.”
“I can say the same about you,” said Holly, looking over Rowan.
Holly had only ever seen Rowan in work clothes. Krampus had managed to find a Christmas themed suit for Rowan. Rowan was wearing an oxblood crimson shirt with a forest green bowtie. His pants were forest green. However, his blazer had an ugly Christmas sweater pattern. The blazer was white. The design, which included geometric shapes and reindeer and sleighs and trees, was in green and red.
“Hey, coming through,” shouted Pandora. Holly and Rowan turned to face the entrance of the community center’s hall. Pandora and Jack were wheeling in a set of six flatbed carts, which were all lashed together. On the raft of flatbed carts was a frikkin’ miniature gazebo, open on one side, and it was at least twelve feet tall.
“What is that?” asked Holly.
“I told you — Jack’s real good with ice,” said Pandora. “This is for photos. After all, the couples will need a memento to remember how they first met, won’t they?”
“I think it’s not going to work,” said Krampus.
“Why not?” asked Avery.
“Because it’s ice, so the flash and the lights will shine off of the ice and mess up the photo,” said Krampus.
“Jack gave the ice a frosted texture, smart one,” said Pandora.
“This can be settled very easily,” said Jack. “We just need to photograph a couple. Krampus? Avery?”
“We’re not a couple,” said Avery.
“Fine,” said Pandora. “Holly, Rowan, even if you two are just friends, would you mind being adults, unlike these two, and helping us test out the photo gazebo?”
“I mean, I’m fine with it,” said Rowan. “Holly?”
“Alright, but, let’s make it fast,” said Holly. “Not gonna lie, Jack, I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
Rowan got underneath the gazebo. He moved to make room for Holly.
“Now you’re out of the shot,” said Pandora, who had an instant film camera in her hand. Apparently, she and Jack had been planning out their big surprise behind the scenes, so she was prepared to take photos.
“Which way do you want me to move?” asked Rowan.
“Further in,” said Pandora.
Rowan moved in. Holly took a step out.
“Holly, you were fine, but now, you’re not in the shot,” said Pandora. “Can you two, just for two seconds, pretend to be a couple and stand real close to one another?”
“Do you mind if I…” started Rowan, opening his arms.
“Yeah, it’s fine,” said Holly coolly, even though, inside, she felt like her insides were on fire, and not from eating too many of the dumplings with the super strong hot sauce. She’d touched Rowan the night before, during their hike, but that’d been different — he’d been a bear. Touching human Rowan, the Rowan she thought about more often than she wanted to admit…well, that was another beast entirely.
Rowan wrapped his arms around Holly. Holly looked up at Rowan’s face and saw that Rowan was looking down at her. She felt her cheeks redden from desire and embarrassment. Pandora snapped a photo. The flash went off, but Rowan’s arms remained around Holly’s waist.
“Did you get it?” asked Rowan. “Or do you need to take another shot?”
“You know — I actually think this looks great,” said Pandora. She pressed a button on her camera and the photo printed, as it was a digital/film hybrid instant camera.
Rowan’s arms fell away from Holly. Holly found herself wishing he hadn’t pulled away, but she knew why he had — he didn’t like her like that. It was what she’d suspected for a while. After all, if he had, wouldn’t he have said something to her before?
A little voice inside Holly’s head argued with her, but she didn’t listen to it.
Rowan and Holly went up to Pandora. Pandora had two photos in her hand. It was two copies of the same picture, the picture she’d taken of Rowan and Holly.
“One for you, and one…for you,” said Pandora, passing the pics to Holly and Rowan.
“Oh, thanks,” said Holly lamely. She looked at the photo. Holly had caught the picture just as Holly had looked up at Rowan, just as Rowan had looked down at Holly. To the untrained eye, Holly was sure that she and Rowan would look like a couple.
Rowan pocketed his photo in his novelty suit pants pocket. Holly put her picture in a pocket in her dress.
“Hey,” called a voice. Rowan and Holly turned. There were a couple of women at the sign-in table! Apparently, whatever behind-the-scenes promotion for the event that Avery had come up with had worked.
“Well, hello, ladies,” said Rowan slickly, turning on the charm. “Let’s get you signed in. Holly?”
Holly nodded and followed after Rowan. They sat down at the sign-in table. Rowan showed Holly how to properly check IDs, give out wristbands for people to show that they could drink, and of course, had her direct them to one of the many activity stations so that they could all mix and mingle while enjoying the complimentary spread of Christmas treats and libations.
Holly watched as Rowan interacted with the people, turning on the charm for not just the attractive women his age, but for men, for older folks, for folks that were outgoing, for those that seemed shy. He had a different approach for every type of person. Everyone left the table with a smile.
“Wow,” said Holly.
“What?” asked Rowan.
“Over there, the shy man you sent over to the buffet,” said Holly. “He’s chatting with that woman that looks like a frikkin’ model! What’s your secret?”
“You can’t win if you don’t play the game,” said Rowan.
“I don’t follow,” admitted Holly.
“If that woman and that man hadn’t both decided that they wanted to come to this event, they never could’ve met each other,” said Rowan. “When people come up to this table, they make a choice. They make a choice to look at this event and decide to go in or to decide to go back home, where their bed is empty, and the house is quiet, and where they aren’t making any memories with any special someone. Sometimes, people need a little push to come into the event. Making them feel comfortable being here, well, that’s sometimes all the push they need.”
“Sometimes?” asked Holly. “Why do I have a feeling that this is an exceptional case?”
“I may have recommended the white chocolate cranberry mini-scones…to both him and her,” said Rowan. “Look. I’m not saying they’ll get married or something. But, I am saying that there are ways to get people to interact, without pushing them together too fast. Sometimes…it makes sense to take things slow.”
You’ve got that right, said Cupid. Rowan had had to turn in his bear shift that morning before they’d headed for The Wreath.
Yeah, well, she obviously doesn’t want the explicit version of why we didn’t match, so…I’m trying a more subtle approach, said Rowan.
“When do you start the speed dating stuff?” asked Holly.
“When it feels…right,” said Rowan. “People are still milling around, chatting, drinking mulled cider. When things die down a bit, we’ll start the speed dating.”
“But isn’t the point of speed dating to help people meet in the first place?” asked Holly. “All these singles are already interacting. Doesn’t this defeat the purpose of the speed dating?”
“You’d think that, but, no,” said Rowan. “In fact, it helps with the speed dating.”<
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“I don’t see how it could possibly help,” said Holly.
“Give me two seconds,” said Rowan.
Rowan went to the buffet. He came back to the sign-in table with two cups, each covered by a napkin.
“In one of these cups, there are some gumdrops,” said Rowan. “In the other cup, there are mini candy canes. Which candy do you like better? Which one do you want, right now?”
“Oh, that’s tricky,” said Holly. “I don’t know.”
Rowan pulled a napkin off a cup and passed it to Holly.
“Here,” said Rowan. “Gumdrops.”
“Oh,” said Holly. “Now, I kinda want the candy canes instead.”
“Great,” said Rowan, switching cups with Holly. “See how you were disappointed by the gumdrops, but excited by the candy canes? It only happened after you were presented with a single option. Now, imagine it was like this, but with a dozen candies instead. There’s going to be some that seem fine in the abstract, but, that in person, aren’t very good at all. There’ll be some that you end up wanting more than others.”
“I still don’t get what this has to do with speed dating,” said Holly.
“Imagine you were speed dating at an event with twenty men, but there was one man you really liked,” said Rowan. “You can see that you haven’t been paired with that special guy for the speed dating event — at least, not yet. You see that he’s five tables away. If you find yourself thinking about that special guy, instead of focusing on your speed dates with the other men…well, maybe that means you should listen to your heart.”
“So the matches aren’t made during the speed dating?” asked Holly.
“Some are, but I think that most of the matches are made ahead of time when people are just having low-pressure fun,” said Rowan. “Speaking of which, I should do the rounds. Come with me.”
Cupid Claws: The Twelve Mates Of Christmas, Book 6 Page 9
