Page 4 of Sleigh Me Baby

“Well, I wouldn’t exactly call us a couple, best friends yes, lovers no.” Celeste laughs and winks at the guy.

His cheeks pinken. “I’m sorry. Not that there’s anything wrong with two women…. or two men, it’s just I…I mean.” He fumbles over his words all the while staring at me.

Smiling, I look at the ground hoping he can’t see the blush staining my cheeks.

“We understand, what was your name again?” Celeste asks and nudges my arm.

“Excuse me, it’s Klaus, Klaus Maier.”

“Maier, like Maier Cabin Resort Maier? Or is that a common last name around here?” Celeste asks, flirting with Klaus and seriously starting to piss me off.

“Sorry to interrupt. Do we still have our reservation?” I ask, tired of watching the two of them go at it.

Klaus looks to me immediately, his dark eyes connecting with mine. “Of course.” Pulling out a paper map, he hands it to me, then grabs a pen and circles one of the cabins on the map. “You’re in cabin seven, it’s near the creek and has beautiful views.”

“Thank you.”

Klaus grabs a key and slides it across the desk, which Celeste grabs.

“If I could just get a copy of your ID and a credit card for incidentals.”

“Would a debit card work?” Celeste asks starting to pull out her wallet.

“Actually, we like to have a credit card on file.”

Celeste gets a look on her face and I know she’s about to let Klaus have it. “Here, just use mine. It’s not like we’re going to use it anyway.” I offer and hand my credit card to Klaus.

“Are you sure?” Celeste questions.

I smile at her and then at Klaus. “Of course.”

When Celeste hands over her driver’s license he takes a photocopy of both and then hands them back to each of us. “Thank you, Celeste and Natalie.”

I roll my eyes and put my card back in my wallet.

“If you ladies need anything please let me or my brother, Eull, know. One of us will be here in the main office during the day. If you need to get ahold of us, our number is on the back of the map with other important information about the resort.”

“Thanks, Klaus.”

“Don’t forget about your sleigh ride tomorrow. Meet me at the barn at two o’clock. Make sure to dress warm, there’s a winter storm due to blow in at some point.” He says as we walk out the door.

“Girl, what is wrong with you?”

“What are you talking about?” I say getting back in my SUV.

“That Klaus guy clearly had the hots for you.”

I shake my head. “No, he doesn’t. Besides, you’re the one who was flirting with him. Maybe you two should-”

“Don’t be dumb. For one, that whole thing where you dropped your phone and he picked it up for you, I swear that was right out of some Hallmark Christmas movie. Two, I would never poach from you.”

“And three?” I ask smiling.

“And three, that jacked-up lumberjack who ran into me is more my speed. All growly and quiet. Rawr.” She says wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

I burst into laughter. “Oh my god.”

“Let’s get to our cabin so we can finally relax. Then we can figure out our next move.”

“That sounds good. And sorry I got bitchy back there.”

Celeste grabs my hand and squeezes. “Sweetie, you are a long way off from bitchy. Trust me, we’re good.”

---