Page 39 of A Bloody Merry Christmas
I rubbed my temple and gave my coworker, Louisa, a fake smile. She was yapping about something in her home life, and I had absolutely zero interest, but I’d learned to nod when necessary and make fascinated humming sounds when she paused to glance at me, which gave her permission to keep going. I never liked people who talked a lot, not until Ezra. He didn’t just fill the silence, he spoke with meaning and made me smile. He told me stories that had me laughing, and he grinned happily every time I did, like he’d personally made the sun shine another day by making me smile. There was nothing better than seeing that expression on his face.
I wished I could stay home with him today. Even though it was a holiday, half our staff was still required to come in and do work. I was one of the unlucky ones. Usually, I didn’t care, even preferred to go to the lab on a holiday, but today was different. Now I had Ezra.
I grabbed my phone and texted him.
Sam
Louisa’s babbling again.
While I waited for an answer, I texted Dalton, too.
Sam
Remember tonight.
Dalton answered first.
Dalton
As if I could forget. You reminded me every day this week. Thanksgiving, but also Ez’s birthday. Got it.
I snorted.
Sam
Just making sure.
Dalton
Wait. What was happening tonight again?
I leaned back on my office chair and closed my eyes for a moment, listening to Louisa drone on and on until her voice became white noise. The vibration of my phone made me perk up again, and I flicked a glance back down to it, a grin spreading over my face at Ezra’s name flashing on the screen in response to my text.
I opened it.
Ezra
Surprise her with something that’ll shut her up. Tell her your dick’s made of gold
A few seconds later, another message came through.
Ezra
Actually, don’t. She’ll want to see it and you’re mine. So is your dick.
I chuckled lightly.
“Did you say something?” Louisa asked.
I peeked over my shoulder at her and shook my head.
She scrunched up her nose. “Oh, I thought I heard you laugh. Did you laugh at my mom telling me I’m annoying?”
I pressed my lips together to stop the urge from actually doing that and opened the text-to-speech app on my phone. I typed the words, then pressed play.
“No. Sorry. My boyfriend texted me,” the app droned in a monotone voice.
She sat up straighter in her chair and rolled it in my direction, much to my irritation. My mouth twitched, but I pushed away the desire to scowl at her. She tucked a strand of blond hair behind her ear and flashed me a wide grin. “Boyfriend? I didn’t know you were gay.” Then, she frowned. “Or bi. Well, I don’t know much about you. That’s the most you’ve told me in the eight years we’ve worked together. I know you’re mute, but I just.... Am I allowed to say mute?” She popped her mouth thoughtfully.
