A December to Remember: a Holiday Romance Anthology

by Howe, Olivia

  This time of the year is supposed to be happy, but all I feel is depressed and lonely. My sister, Aubrey, is all the way in California. She’s the only family I have. I don’t talk with my parents. I don’t have friends. No time to make them, because I’m too invested in my career to take a break.

  I secretly wish things were different.

  Chapter 2

  Meeting Cole

  Castello Trade is fully decorated with everything Christmas. There’s even a tree in the lobby—bigger than needed. I roll my eyes, making my way to the receptionist.

  “What can I help you with today, ma’am?” The redhead has a never-ending smile, with her Santa hat tilted to one side of her head.

  “I have a three o’clock appointment with Mr. Castello,” I stutter, too focused on her apparel.

  She types something into her computer, never letting the smile leave her perky face. “Yes, you do, Miss Hanson.” I can’t believe Jenny set this appointment up without knowing if I was going to agree to write this article. “Take the elevator to the twelfth floor and Carrie will be there waiting for you.”

  I smile. “Thanks.”

  I try fixing myself—rubbing the wrinkles from my shirt and jeans. I enter the elevator and press the 12 button. It takes a few minutes to get to the top floor.

  The redhead was right. Carrie is standing there with a smile, waiting for me to exit the elevator. “Hello, Miss Hanson. Right this way.”

  I follow her down the hall, to a huge glass door. She opens it and ushers for me to step inside.

  The office is smaller than I thought it would be, only because I imagined it to have a pool and hot tub in it. A huge conference table sits in the middle of the room, a desk off to the side and black leather couches on each side of the room.

  “Alicia Hanson from The National Gazette, am I correct?” His voice sends chills up my back, making me shiver.

  I clear my throat. “Yes.”

  “Please, have a seat.” He pulls out a chair for me at the oval conference table. “How are you today, Miss Hanson?”

  “I’m great. How are you?” I wasn’t expecting him to be so nice.

  “Wonderful. I love the holiday season.” He sits down and leans back in the chair, putting one foot over the other. “Are you a big fan of Christmas?”

  Am I being the one interviewed or is he? “I’m not a fan of Christmas. Enough about me, let’s talk about you, Mr. Castello.”

  “I can’t believe you don’t like Christmas. Why?” He’s dressed in casual clothes— a V-neck blue shirt and dark jeans. If I was a millionaire, I would do the same thing.

  “It’s depressing and lonely. When did you first start Castello Trade?” I try to get his attention off my hatred for the season.

  “That’s not true at all. You’re the first person I ever met that has said otherwise.”

  I take a deep breath. He’s handsome, but annoying. I try my next question. “What is your company’s motto?”

  “You’re not doing anything for Christmas? No shopping? No decorating? No family time?”

  “No. What activities do you do in your spare time?”

  He sits forward, and looks at me. “I’m not answering any questions.”

  I look at him, confused. “Excuse me?”

  “Let’s make a deal.”

  Oh, no. What is he trying to do? “Sir, I’m here to interview you so I can write my article. Can we please continue?”

  He sits back, getting comfortable. “I’ll give you the ultimate interview and any scoop you want.”

  “In return for what?”

  “You spend the next seven days with me.”

  “Why?”

  “To show you what Christmas is all about.”

  “You want to restore my Christmas spirit?” I laugh, thinking this is all just a big joke.

  He looks at me. “I’m serious.”

  My laughter stops. My cheeks must be twenty shades of red. “All I have to do is spend seven days with you?”

  “On the seventh day, which is Christmas, if you still hate the holiday, then so be it.”

  “And you’ll still give me enough information to make a great article?” I’m intrigued. I have nothing else to do, so why not?

  “I promise.”

  “Then it’s a deal.” I know I should ask more about his offer before I confirmed, but I will do almost anything for the next big story.

  “But, with one condition.”

  I knew there had to be something else to this deal. It seemed too good to be true. “And that would be?”

  “You have to participate in everything I set up.”

  “What if I don’t feel comfortable in your activity?” I put my notebook and pen away since there isn’t going to be an interview today.

  “You just have to deal with it.”

  I raise an eyebrow. “Fine.”

  “So we have a deal?”

  “It’s a deal.”

  What did I agree to? Am I really going to spend the next seven days with Cole Castello? I don’t even understand why he wants to do this. This was all his bright idea. No matter what he does, I’m still going to hate Christmas.

  Chapter 3

  Day 1

  I have the day off today. I hate when that happens. Each day is filled with boredom and lots of cleaning. Once in a while, I’ll take a trip to the grocery store or watch a movie. Other than that, my life is non-exciting.

  I force myself out of bed. My hair is a mess and my makeup is smudged all over my face. I look like a hot mess this morning. I throw my bathrobe on and head downstairs to make some coffee. Without caffeine, I wouldn’t be able to stay awake on these lame days.

  A loud pounding on my door startles me. I’m not expecting anyone, especially not this early in the day. Who could it be?

  I trot over to the door and open it. My eyes widen and my jaw drops. I thought he was kidding.

  “Cole?”

  He barges through my door, making himself at home. “You have a beautiful place.” Really? It’s a small two bedroom apartment. He’s probably used to fancy mansions.

  “It’s very cozy.” He looks around, observing my living room. “Are you ready?”

  “For what? It’s eight in the morning. I’m not ready to do anything besides drink coffee and read the morning paper.”

  He rolls his eyes. “We had a deal, remember?”

  Our last conversation comes back to me. Yes, how could I forget? “I thought you were kidding.”

  “I don’t joke.”

  “What are we doing for day one, Mr. Castello?”

  “Please, call me Cole.”

  “Cole.”

  “We’re going to pick out a Christmas tree. I figured you didn’t have one and I was right.”

  “That sounds easy. Let me get dressed.”

  “Easy? It’s going to be fun. Then we’re going to decorate.”

  “Decorate what?” I say as I reach the stairs.

  He smiles a swoon-worthy smile. “You’ll see. Now get dressed. I’ll finish making your coffee.”

  I roll my eyes and stomp up the stairs. I feel like a little kid getting told by her parents to get dressed for school. This is not going to be fun.

  ***

  I make sure I take my sweet ass time. It isn’t the Cole Show. I’m not going to fall to my knees and under his spell. Don’t get me wrong, he’s adorable and sexy, but I’m not going to be one of those flings he has with every other girl in Quincy. Well, I don’t know that for sure, but with a man that looks and smells like him, I’m sure all the girls are throwing themselves at him. I have morals. He’s trying to restore holiday spirit that was never there; no big deal. I’m not going to fall for him. Even though his eyes look like the northern sky.

  I dress warm: thick leggings, high winter boots, a pea coat and a hat and mittens. I sling my purse over my shoulder
as I walk down the stairs. I spot Cole lounging on my sofa and staring aimlessly around my living room. What in the world is this man doing?

  “Earth to Cole. What are you doing?” I stop at the end of the stairs, waiting for a response.

  Slowly, he walks over to my side, smiling. I roll my eyes. “What are you up to?”

  He puckers his bottom lip over his top. “Nothing.” Oh, he’s hiding something from me and I’m going to figure it out.

  “I’m a news reporter.”

  “And?” He stares at me with one eyebrow raised. His blond hair falls gently on his forehead, almost long enough to reach his eyes. I get an urge to reach over and push it back, but I hold myself back.

  “I know you’re withholding information from me.” I take my scarf off the hanger by the door, wrapping it around my neck.

  “It’s a surprise.”

  “I don’t like surprises.”

  “Let’s go.”

  I shake my head. “Is this week over yet?”

  Cole smiles, his teeth shining in the sun that’s peeking through the front door. “It just started, darling.”

  ***

  We arrive in town. My ass is warm from the seat warmers he has in his truck. I could get used to this. Can we just sit here all day? I don’t want to step foot out into the cold snowy weather.

  Cole pulls into a parking lot. Christmas trees are everywhere; some hang upside down, others are getting carried away by families. I never had that. When I was a young girl, we never went out as a family and picked out a tree together. We never wrapped presents and exchanged them on the holidays. There was never a feast homemade from my parents. It was always lonely.

  I shake away the thoughts, turning my attention back to reality. I unbuckle and hop out of the truck, almost spraining my ankle in the process. Cole is right there to help me when I stumble.

  “Stupid truck.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yes.”

  “Not used to jacked up trucks, are you?” He steadies me and walks by my side.

  “No.”

  “Cheer up. It’s time to pick out a tree.” Cole looks like a little kid in a candy store. His smile is never ending; sending his rosy cheeks high on his face. “Look at this one.”

  The tree is tall and a brilliant emerald color. The sun beams down and I notice brown pieces and broken branches. “Not that one.” I walk around, losing Cole in the process. I examine all the trees, looking over every inch of them. If this thing is going to be in my house, then it has to look decent. “This one!” I yell out, hoping Cole will hear me.

  He pops his head through some trees, scaring me. “I love that one.” His face is priceless. I laugh, not being able to help it.

  “I want this one.”

  “Your wish is my command.”

  ***

  Cole lugs the Christmas tree like it’s a feather. I offered to help him, but he refused it. It’s not like he needs it, anyway. From underneath his jacket, I can spot his muscles dancing around as he carries the tree.

  No, Alicia. Snap out of it.

  I unlock my front door and swing it open. Am I in the wrong house? “Uhh…” This has to be a mistake. I turn around and look at my surroundings. No, this is the correct house. “Cole? Someone broke into my house…”

  “I did,” he says as if nothing is wrong with breaking into someone’s home. “Well, not me, but I had a few people break in. Let’s go inside. This tree is getting heavy.”

  I’m standing here… confused… and oblivious to what’s going on right now. Is this really happening? “How about, no, let’s not go inside. You gave strange people permission to break into my place, and now it looks like Santa threw up everywhere.”

  He rolls his eyes, pushing past me with the tree still in his hands. “We had a deal.”

  I’m going to take that deal and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine.

  I walk into my newly decorated apartment. Christmas lights wrap the railing to my staircase. Knick-knacks cover the mantle on my fireplace, along with one stocking with my name on it. Lights are everywhere I look. There’s even a mistletoe hanging above the doorway to the living room.

  After Christmas, all of this crap is going in the dumpster. For now, I will hold my tongue and keep my remarks to myself. I want this day to be over with already.

  ***

  I sit on my couch, my feet propped up on the coffee table with a cup of hot tea in my hands. I watch as Cole gets the Christmas tree set up and adds the lights to it. He asked me to help, but he is doing fine on his own.

  “What do you think?” he asks, a smile glowing on his face. Wow. He really likes the holidays way too much.

  “Beautiful. Now is this day over with yet?” I say, sarcastically.

  He glares at me. “It’s time to decorate it.”

  “Isn’t there enough holiday spirit in this house? I think it looks fine.” I gulp down my steaming hot tea. I wish he was gone so I could snuggle up on my couch and read a book. I just got I Am Atlas by Ella Emerson and I’ve been dying to read it.

  “Grab the garland and come help me wrap it around the tree.” He runs his hands through his blond hair. Can I do that?

  Alicia, no, you can’t and won’t ever do that. I can’t fall for him. I can’t sleep with him. This is strictly business. I don’t have the time or the strength to deal with heartbreak and disappointment. That’s all it will lead to. I’ve built too strong and too high of a wall to let Cole Castello come in and break it down.

  I do as he says. I give him one end and take the other. I start at the top of the tree and he does the bottom. We both meet in the middle. The white garland shimmers in the light above.

  Next are the colorful bulbs. We space them out evenly on the tree. There is a moment when both of our hands touch—reaching for the same blue bulb. Electricity flies through my fingers, lingering throughout the rest of my body. I move my hand away quickly.

  “Here.” Cole hands me a beautiful angel. “You do the honors.”

  Blushing, I reach on top of the tree and softly place the angel in position. Cole switches on all the lights and we both stand back and admire the work we did. I have to say, it does look beautiful.

  “You’re eyes are twinkling in the lights. They’re beautiful.”

  Awkwardly, I fix my shirt and swipe back the loose strands of hair. I don’t take compliments well. “I’m exhausted.”

  “I think we had enough fun for one day.” Cole grabs his jacket. “I’ll be here in the morning tomorrow.”

  “I have to work until late.”

  “That wasn’t part of the deal. Take a vacation. It’s the week before Christmas. I’m sure your boss won’t mind.”

  Is he serious?

  “I don’t take vacations, and I don’t miss work.”

  “Isn’t it time for a change?” His sea- blue eyes meet mine. His eyes are more beautiful.

  “Not a chance.”

  Chapter 4

  Day 2

  I’m happy to be back at work today. I think I’m the only person on this earth that says that. I enjoy what I do. It calms me down, and I really have to get away from Cole Castello. He’s driving me nuts with all his Christmas joy. He can be cute… sometimes.

  I set my things down and organize my desk. Then, I hear his voice from afar. I can never get away from him. Why is he here talking to Jenny, my boss? They’re laughing. She’s blushing. I’m fuming.

  I fast walk over toward them. Cole is making her fall under his trance. I can see it all over her face.

  “Cole?” I’m confused and disoriented. Why the hell is he here?

  “Alicia.” He smiles, and Jenny’s smile disappears.

  “What are you doing here?” I ask him.

  “He’s told me everything. You two run along and finish the story.” Jenny says nothing else, and walks away. What in the world is she talking ab
out?

  My eyes pierce Cole’s. “What did you say to her?”

  “I told her we’re working on my article outside of work for the next week. You don’t have to come into the office until then. You’re welcome.” He’s smiling from ear to ear as he walks away from me.

  “Wait, what?” He ignores me. I hurry to grab my things and follow him out the door.

  ***

  I’m so infuriated. How could he do that without speaking with me? Does he not understand that I would rather be at work than with him doing stupid Christmas stuff?

  I chase after him in the parking lot of my work. “Why did you do that, Cole?”

  He unlocks his truck, and then stares at me. “We had a deal, remember?”

  “How can I forget? You never let me. This wasn’t part of the deal.” My voice is shaken. I’m old enough to make my own decisions.

  “The deal was one week. That includes the whole day, not half.”

  “Err…” I’m so aggravated with him. I have to walk away before I get even angrier.

  “Where are you going?” Cole shouts from behind me.

  “I’m going home.”

  “Oh, no, you’re not. We have a movie to see.”

  “You can go see it by yourself.” I keep walking toward my car.

  Cole runs behind me and catches my arm. “I’m sorry, Alicia. I should’ve checked with you. It won’t happen again.” He checks his watch. “We have twenty minutes to make it across town to the movies. Be mad at me in the truck.”

  I contemplate for a minute. I can’t stay mad at him after the way he apologized to me. He’s still cute, but annoying.

  “What do you say?” He smiles, making me smile.

  “Fine.”

  ***

  Cole takes me to see The Santa Clause. By the end of the movie, I’m crying and he’s passing me tissues. This movie came out in 1994, and I’ve never seen it before.

  The ending credits come on, and I’m still sitting here staring at the screen. Everyone else is filing out of the movie theater.