Santa's Secret

“Of course, what else would I do with them?”

I shake my head and smile softly at her. “Nothing. I know you’d never do anything to betray my trust.”

Mindy pulls me into a hug. I squeeze her tightly. It’s my way of showing her how much I appreciate her, even when I haven’t been the best of friends. Hollywood changes people. The constant rush of life is exhausting. When I arrived in Los Angeles, I submerged myself in work, reading scripts, going to auditions and social engagements, and forgetting about everyone back home. If it weren’t for my parents calling and texting constantly, I likely would’ve lost them due to my inability to see past the haze I buried myself in.

“Thank you for coming out tonight. I know it was short notice.”

“Like I would miss this.” Mindy spreads an arm out over the crowd. There’s a line of men sitting on stools with their backs facing the bar. Each one is watching my little group and trying to flirt with us. Their smoldering, borderline constipation, eye squint is on point.

“This is nothing. You should come out to LA sometime. My treat, of course. I’ll show you around. Introduce you to a few of the players. We can go to Malibu and sit on the beach. We’ll hit up a fancy nightclub and dance all night.”

“Sound amazing, but—”

“I know, the kids make it hard. We can make it a family vacation and do Disneyland or something.”

“What’s gotten into you?” she asks. “Since when are kids your thing?”

Her question gives me pause. Throughout my career, I’ve been adamant about children not being a part of life. I don’t want to be an absent mother or have my child raised by nannies. My colleagues are like that, and it’s bothered me ever since I took my first starring role.

“I don’t know,” I tell Mindy. “Maybe it’s being home and working with the students on the play?” I don’t know why I’m questioning myself. It’s not like I have the answer.

“Maybe it’s from spending some quality time with a certain single dad?” Eileen chimes in. Instantly I feel flushed and find myself bowing my head to hide.

“Aiden?” my mom asks. “You’ve been spending time with Aiden?”

“No,” I say in defense. Not that spending time with Aiden is a bad thing. “I was at the diner this morning, and he was there. I invited him to sit with me. It’s not like we’re secretly meeting up at night.”

“Why not?” Mindy asks. When I look at her, she shrugs and picks up her drink.

“Oh come on,” I say, pushing softly against her shoulder. “The last thing I need is another romance. Nope, Delaney Du Luca is single, and she’s going to stay that way for a long time.”

My mom scoffs and rolls her eyes. “Aiden would make a fine boyfriend.”

“Yeah maybe, if I didn’t live thousands of miles away and work eighteen hour days.”

“So you admit you like him?” Eileen asks, waggling her eyebrows before she starts laughing.

I throw my napkin at her. “You’re not listening to me. I don’t have time for a boyfriend.” I purposely avoid her question. I do like Aiden; I wouldn’t want to ruin his life by being mixed up in mine. It wouldn’t be fair to him or Holly.

“Oh, I think we hear you loud and clear,” Mindy says.

Shaking my head. “You ladies are incorrigible and exactly why rumors start. It was breakfast, nothing more.”

“And hockey tickets,” Eileen adds.

“Because Calvin will be bored here. I wanted him to bond with the guys.”

“Sure ya did, honey.” My mom pats me on the back of my leg as I pass by her.

“Mindy’s right. Aiden needs a woman like you,” Eileen adds.

“Mom, a little help here?” I beg.

“Sorry, Delaney, I have nothing. I agree with the girls.”

I throw my hands up in the air and fall back against the sofa. “You all are just... well I don’t know what you are, but come on. The last thing Aiden wants or needs in his life is me.”

“Why would you say something like that? Has Aiden told you what he needs?” my mom deadpans.