Christmas Coffee by H.M. Ward

Believing that holiday magic is dead is what my life’s come to, I’m considering stabbing myself with a Christmas ornament when I see him—Mr. Tall and Irresistibly Beautiful. He’s an angel. On a barstool. That amber hair combined with that intense gaze makes it impossible for me to look away. He’s drop-dead gorgeous. Even with every horrible thing that happened today, I can’t ignore him.

After some sultry flirting, eyes locking, and heart pounding as we banter, I can tell this night will change my life forever. At the very least, I’ll have one high this holiday season. A hot memory to get me through the wintery nights jobless and alone. One thing leads to another, and I’m breathless in his strong arms. I forget everything that’s gone wrong and lose myself in the bliss of the moment. Our tangled limbs are glistening with sweat. That’s when the entire moment shatters like a candy cane hitting the sidewalk. His phone rings. He stops. Huffs, and walks out, leaving me naked and tangled in the sheets alone. Merry freaking Christmas. No early holiday package for me.

Shaking it off, I decide to jump headfirst into the holiday season when I finally get some good news—a job offer at a swank coffee shop in Manhattan. The problem? It’s not a building. I’ll be working in a food truck in ass-cold freezing temps, dressed like a slutty Swiss Miss.

Oh, and that beautiful guy is there. Every day. Every night. He’s my boss.

I can take it if he can.