Page 60 of 12 Gays of Christmas

“No, shit. Open it, Remi.” I’m curious and a little spooked. We also need to get on the road, but I’m definitely not telling him that.

Remi unwraps the present, gently preserving the paper. For evidence, maybe? It’s a small box and inside is pink tissue paper and a key. An antique key on a silver chain. “What the actual fuck?” Remi runs his fingers through his hair. I’ve never seen him this rattled.

“Are you okay?” Colin puts a hand on his shoulder. I’m glad that after everything, they can still be friends. Or frenemies. Or whatever.

Remi shrugs. “Honestly? I don’t know whether to be creeped out or…okay, definitely creeped out.”

“And you have no idea who it’s from?”

“It had to be someone at the party. It was slipped into my pocket sometime after you guys left. That limits who it can be, right?”

“Yeah.” I have no idea what to say.

“It’s fine,” Remi says, standing and stuffing his hands in his jacket pockets. “It’s just a gift. That’s one more holiday gift than last year.”

Colin and I exchange looks. “Remi,” Colin starts, but Remi waves him off. “I’ve got to go. I’m getting ready to head out to my parents’ house. Happy holidays, guys. Drive safe.”

Colin hugs him, ignoring Remi’s protests. I wish I could invite him to spend Christmas with us. I know what it’s like to spend the holidays alone or worse.

“I’m fine, but I’m glad you didn’t erase that board,” he says, pointing at the chalkboard.

“What? Why? That thing is getting erased before we leave. We don’t need it anymore.” Colin gives me a pointed look, and I kiss him.

“Ugh, that’s disgusting. Please stop.” As he grabs the gift and wrapping paper—probably going to somehow check for prints—and stuffs them in his bag, he gives Colin a pointed look. “Seriously. I need that list. I’m finding out who this is. And those guys,” he says, pointing at the list, “are my prime suspects.”

Colin starts to argue, and I realize I need to take charge. That’s new. I snap a picture of the list, send it to Remi, and shoo him out the door. Then I kiss Colin until he forgets about his previous roommate and everyone else on that list.

“Are you ready for this?” I ask, enjoying the grin on his face as I grab my coat.

“Going to my parents’?”

“Our first official day as a couple.”

“Definitely. But…” He hesitates for only a second. “There’s something on that list that everyone else got, including Remi, that I didn’t get.”

There are plenty of things he did get. Last night. And twice this morning. But I don’t mention that. “What?”

“A date. But it can’t be anything you’ve done on that list.”

“Something special just for you?” I ask, already thinking.

“Exactly.”

Colin deserves an amazing date. He tried to help me, even when it was difficult for him because he cares about me. He’s a giving person, and he deserves the world. And now, the pressure to get this right is a little overwhelming. “I feel like I’m taking a test I need more time to study for,” I say, giving him a nervous smile.

He tucks himself under my arm and wraps his arms around me. “Don’t worry. You can’t fail this.”

I’m not sure about that. Disappointing Colin would feel like a failure. “Can you give me a hint of what you’d like?”

“Sure, babe,” he says, tipping his head and watching me with those beautiful green eyes. “I can make you an entire list.”

EPILOGUE: CHRISTMAS DAY, AKA GIL’S BIRTHDAY

December 25

GIL

“It’sabout time you got your butt down here to see us, Gil,” Mrs. Attwood—or Mabel as she insists I call her—says as soon as we walk in the side door and take off our coats and shoes. It started snowing on the way up. Thankfully, not too hard, just enough to make everything sparkle.

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