Page 64 of 12 Gays of Christmas

“There were only a few girls left at midnight, and Roxy was one of them. Nope, it’s a guy.”

Gil picks up the box I set down. “Maybe you should worry about your own gifts.”

I grab it, convinced it’s a gag gift from Nat. That’s one of her favorite things to do. There’s no tag but when I open it, I know immediately it’s from Gil. A ring. His class ring. I’ve seen it on his finger often enough.

“I know we’re not in high school, and this is kind of a high school move—” he starts, but I interrupt him with a kiss. My dad clears his throat when it goes on too long, and I pull away.

“I love it. Thank you.”

“I wanted you to have something of mine—”

We stare at each other, and I know we’re both remembering the possessive words on Remi’s note. “You’re right,” he says, with a slow shake of his head, “that guy is totally crazy for Remi and not happy about it.”

After Christmas dinner, which is right in the middle of the day, we watch Christmas movies. Gil gets a little squirmy. After the third time he moves around, I ask what’s going on.

“I’m just a little nervous,” he says with a sigh.

“It’s fine. They already like you.” I pat his arm. “And they forgive you for Steph getting that interception.”

“That wasn’t my fault.”

I raise my brows at him.

“Okay, fine. It was—that’s not what I’m nervous about. I…planned a date for us.”

I cover my mouth with my hands. “Really? When?”

“In about an hour.”

“Are you kidding me? I need to start getting ready.” I jump up, ignoring the comments from everyone else. I finish with five minutes to spare. Okay, I’m five minutes late, but that’s mostly trying to get away from my parents and out the door.

The snow paints everything with a white brush, adding texture and depth and a glittering glaze over everything. It’s beautiful. Our town isn’t that big and as Gil drives us down Main Street, knowing exactly where he’s going, I realize Nat and Gil were not talking about Taylor Swift for over an hour. And that, at least, is a relief.

The park is done up like a winter wonderland. We walk through, looking at the decorations. We window shop along the street. Many of the stores are closed, but we focus on the transformation into this beautiful display of good cheer. The diner is open, and we pop in to eat cherry pie and drink hot chocolate.

“I hope this is okay. It’s nothing fancy.” He drums his fingers on the table and lifts a shoulder in a careless shrug.

I kiss him, probably for a little too long, but there’s no parent here to stop me.

“Eat your pie instead of sucking face. I’m closing in ten minutes.”

Gil and I look at each other and then crack up. The diner owner gives us the stink eye.

We leave soon after, and I direct Gil to my favorite spot in town. It overlooks the now-frozen lake. “It’s beautiful,” he says, putting his arm around my shoulders. The middle console is awkward as hell, but we make it work.

“It is. And you know what else?” I ask in a low, flirty voice. “This is a great place to make out.” Gil narrows his eyes, and I realize how that sounds. “Or so I hear.”

He laughs, and I kiss his cheek. I can tell it still bothers Gil that he has no other experience, while I’ve had several boyfriends. But none of that matters because none of them compare to Gil and what I have with him. And it’s okay that he doesn’t believe it. I have plenty of time to convince him. And there’s no time like the present to start.

“Do you want your present now?”

“Definitely.” He reaches for me, but I put my hand on his chest and push him back.

“Hold up.” I lean over him and grab his gift out of the glove box.

He stares at the present. “I thoughtyouwere my gift.”

“Oh my God, just open it.”

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