Page 26 of Santa Daddies

“So, Kristoffer…” David spoke up. “Charlotte told me it was Sexy Santa Inc that did the bachelorette party.”

I glanced up at my best friend’s smirk and huffed a laugh. And then I tsked at his fiancée, leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms. “It was quite a surprise when I checked on these girls last night and found I recognized them.”

Emily rose then. “And that’s my cue to leave,” she said, her cheeks a bright shade of pink.

“Oh, no, Memmy. Tell your big brother how you ended up over my best friend, boss, and best man’s knee.”

I groaned. “Nope. There’s zero chance of that happening,” she said, flicking her red hair over her shoulder. “Thank you for brunch, but I’ve got to make some phone calls.” She waved over her shoulder and started walking. “Maybe I’ll see you at ice skating.”

“Better wear a helmet, Memmy,” Madeline said on a laugh, and I rose too.

“I have my own business to attend to. I’ll see you later.”

Chapter Eight

Kristoffer

As I watched Emily lace her skates by herself at the picnic tables, I felt a pang of empathy, but also admiration. It couldn’t have been easy being here with all these loving couples after what happened. Yeah, I hadn’t forgotten what I’d heard in the hallway before the show. I also knew the story more fully now since David had vented to me one night a few days later.

“I’m worried about her, bro. She’s this amazing person who doesn’t realize it, so she settles for losers. I want her to have what Charlotte and I have but it’s not going to happen if she keeps going after men that take, rather than take care.”

Emily was bundled up in a toque, scarf, and mittens, and even though I was having thoughts of peeling her out of every layer, I was also admiring her bravery. She was surrounded by her family and friends all coupled up, and her siblings seemed to tease her mercilessly but also fuss over her. But she carried on without so much as a sniffle or a snipe.

It reminded me of how she’d fearlessly gotten into the wheelbarrow position, fully exposing herself to me despite hershyness. This woman went head-on into things. And I loved that about her. I loved so much about her.

I huffed a laugh suddenly at her frustrated growl. Skating up to the edge of the lake where she sat, I sprayed ice stopping in front of her. She looked up, a plume of breath billowing out of her mouth.

“Need some help with those?” I asked, admiring her red button nose and bright cheeks.

“Are you making an observation about my incompetence or are you offering to help?”

“Offering to help.”

“Then, yes, please. I can’t seem to get them tight enough.”

“Might be easier without the mittens,” I pointed out, making her frown down at her hands.

“Are you aware of how cold it is out here, or is your brain frozen from living here?”

“Maybe you’re dragging your heels because you haven’t skated in a very long time,” I accused. Her eyes narrowed slightly confirming my hypothesis.

Then she scanned the glassy frozen lake and sighed. “How is it you know everything?”

“Your brother has a big mouth.”

She laughed and I knelt in front of her to tug her laces tight.

“It’s so beautiful.”

I looked up at her face and saw the awe in it, and I knew she was talking about the way the lake was so clear you could see the sky and the mountains in it.

“I bet it feels like you’re flying out there.”

“I’ve lived here for years, and I’ve never heard anyone describe it like that, but you’re right. That’s exactly what it feels like.” I tugged tighter on the laces of the white skate and tied them up in a neat bow before switching to the other one. “It’spretty scratched-up now, but in the morning, before anyone’s been out here, it’s a revelation.”

She was silent for a moment and when I looked up, I saw her thoughtfully watching the couples skate around. A few of them hand in hand, some just shoulder to shoulder. Even Charlotte’s mother and father were out there, joined at the elbow.

“Think they’re all happy?”