Despite my best efforts not to blush, his cute teasing and Santa voice made it impossible to stop.
“If you’re so inclined, you may get me a sandwich from the cafe,” Karl said as he subtly slipped me a twenty dollar bill.
I perked up. “Sure! What kind would you like?”
He winked. “Surprise me.”
Eager to have an errand, I signalled to Minnie that I’d be back in a moment, then dashed to the cafe. Karl’s cash burned in my pocket. I wanted to pay him back for the hot chocolate he got me this morning, so I didn’t want to use his money. I’d return it later.
I examined the sandwiches in the glass display case, wondering what Karl preferred. I knew he liked hot chocolate and marshmallows, but what else?
Too engrossed in my thoughts to remember my surroundings, I accidentally bumped elbows with a man next to me.
“Oh, sorry!” I said, backing away.
The man—an alpha—smiled. “No problem, cutie.”
A sour feeling swirled in my stomach. Just because I was single didn’t mean I wanted random alphas to hit on me. I mean, the guy looked fine and he probably didn’t have any bad intentions. Maybe I was being overly sensitive because of my crush on Karl...
Crap. Did I just admit to myself that I had a crush on Karl?
The alpha nodded towards the sandwiches. “See anything you like? It’s on me.”
“Er... that’s okay. Actually, my boyfriend’s waiting for me outside.”
The man’s face fell before he nodded solemnly. “Right. Sorry.”
Flustered and embarrassed, I grabbed a sandwich at random and flew out of the cafe. When I returned to Karl’s side, his brow furrowed. He must’ve noticed the look on my face because he asked, “Angelo, did something happen?”
That was the first time he’d dropped the Santa act since putting on the costume. He adjusted the timbre of his voice while in the role, so I’d forgotten the way his natural deep tones sent a shiver down my spine.
“Kinda. I mean, no. I mean—”
Karl signaled to Minnie for a five minute break. When she gave him the go-ahead, Karl took me behind the huge tree.
“What happened, Angelo?” Karl asked, concerned.
My cheeks were on fire. Oh god, I wish I hadn’t drawn so much attention to myself. I should’ve let it go and acted normal. Now Karl was worried about me... whichdidfeel nice, I had to admit.
“It’s really nothing,” I said, rubbing my arm. “A guy at the cafe flirted with me, and offered to buy me food, and I didn’t know how to react.”
A strange expression flitted across Karl’s face. It was the most serious he’d looked since adorning the Santa costume.
“How did you feel about that?” Karl asked.
“It was flattering, but I wasn’t interested,” I admitted. “Is that weird?”
Karl chuckled. “No. You have no obligation to be interested in every alpha who offers to buy you food.” He paused. “Even though I did the same thing earlier today.”
“That was different!” I blurted out. “We already knew each other, and I—I was actually really happy you wanted to do that for me...”
I stopped talking before I veered off a cliff.
“Well, that’s good,” Karl said with a smile. “So I don’t have to give that alpha a stern talking to?”
A breathless laugh tumbled out of me. “No, that’s okay. He meant no harm.”
“Still. I don’t want anybody bothering you, Angelo.”
