Page 66 of The Santa Rules
Never mind, it doesn’t matter. Guess what we’re doing tonight?
If the answer isn’t your sweet cunt, then I don’t want to hear it
That will require babysitters
And this won’t?
Not tonight. Guess what we’re doing?
It’s a school night
So grumpy
Do you want to know what brings me joy?
I know what I want the answer to be
That does bring me joy, but I’m trying to coach you on Christmas stuff. Focus
Whatever we’re doing, can it involve less glitter?
Wait, are we going caroling?
How did you know?
You asked if I could sing
Oh yeah, I did. And we are
I feel like you’re about to quote that line from Elf about spreading cheer
I’m impressed you know an Elf reference
Avery made me watch it the other night. It made me think of you
I love that you know me so well
Shit.Like. Ilikethat he knows me so well. My heart races in my chest as I wait for his reply, and I watch those three little dots dance with nervous anticipation.
I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you
I breathe out a sigh of relief. That was a close one.
Three hours later, a grumpy, bundled-up Hardy is trudging toward me down the sidewalk, and I can’t help the goofy grin that takes over my face when I see his appearance. Avery runs to me.
“Doesn’t Daddy look pretty?”
“I thought we were doing less glitter this time?” I wave a hand in a circle around his face.
“Avery has always wanted me to grow a beard, but since the department has rules about the length of our facial hair, she rubbed glue on my face and gave me a beard with glitter.”
“You look…very sparkly.”
“It’s itchy.”
I lean in to give him a hug, savoring the smell of pine, smoke, and bergamot.
“She told me I needed to look pretty for my date,” he says quietly into my ear.
