Merry Cherry Christmas

“I don’t want to hurt his feelings.”

Max’s frustrated confusion dissipated in a swell of affection for Jeremy. “No. Of course not.” Jeremy was right—this guy didn’t deserve to be jerked around. “It’s one morning date. Doesn’t have to be a big deal.”

“Yeah.” Jeremy smiled weakly. “This is the kind of thing people do all the time, right?”

“Totally. You should go and have fun.” He tried very hard to mean it. Jeremy deserved to have these experiences. A good friend and fairy godfather wouldn’t hold him back.

“Are you hooking up while we’re here in Pinevale? Like, with guys in pickup trucks or whatever?”

“No.” Max laughed. “Been there, done that.”

“Oh,” Jeremy whispered, his face going red. “I guess I should too?”

Over my dead body. Gripping the ladle, Max took a calming breath and was honest. “No, I don’t think that’s your speed. And that’s okay. But you were looking at the app for a reason.”

“I told you I was just curious!”

“Exactly. You’re nineteen. You’re living away from home for the first time. Of course you’re curious. It’s okay to be curious. I support your curiosity.”

Jeremy looked dubious. “Thank you.”

Lifting the pot in two hands, Max headed toward the living room, needing this awkward AF conversation to be over. What was done was done. Jeremy was going on a date.

Yay.

He held the pot while Jeremy ladled out seconds for everyone, then returned it to the stove. Back by the tree, he and Jeremy decorated in silence while Dad, Meg, Papy, and Valerie had a spirited debate about the Maple Leafs’ defense or lack thereof.

As he went up on tiptoes to hang a glass snowflake around the side of the tree facing the window, Jeremy whispered to Max, “I’m going to get drunk soon.” He made this adorable little giggle that said the bourbon might have already gone to his head. His smile faded. “I can’t believe I’m going on a date with someone I’ve never met.” He bit his lip. “But you think I should, right?”

“Absolutely.” Max clinked their mugs together, forcing a smile. He tried very hard not to think about how he’d just pushed Jeremy into a date with another guy, and he definitely didn’t think about how if they kissed now, it would taste just like Christmas.

Chapter Nine

In the cafe’s vestibule, Jeremy hid next to a massive, fake potted plant, waiting for his glasses to de-fog.

Well, he wasn’t hiding. He was gathering his courage. To go on a date with a complete stranger. He glanced back through the glass door, spotting Max’s truck turning onto the main road. It was wild to think that Max had been a complete stranger only a week ago. Maybe this drummer guy would be just as awesome.

So why was Jeremy hoping he wasn’t?

He rolled his eyes mentally. Gee, I wonder why. But Max seemed to want him to go on this date. Or did he? Honestly, Jeremy wasn’t sure. He’d stared at the ceiling half the night replaying the bizarre conversation in the kitchen.

If they were only pausing things between them, why would Max want him to meet up with another guy? Maybe Max was actually done with Jeremy and just hadn’t had the balls to tell him. But why would he invite him home? Was Jeremy that pathetic? He sure hoped not.

He supposed if he was being fair, they’d agreed they were only friends for the next couple of weeks. They were both free to do whatever—or whomever—they wanted. But maybe Jeremy wasn’t as mature or evolved or cool as other people, because he absolutely hated the idea of Max dating anyone else.

Hated. It.

And he felt like Max didn’t like it either? On the way to the cafe, Max’s smiles had been so tight and quick that it seemed he wasn’t happy at all with the idea of Jeremy seeing someone else.

He crushed the bloom of sweet happiness and hope. Max was helping him out and being a friend, but was he really going to end up as Jeremy’s boyfriend? He’d made it seem like they’d pick up where they left off in January, but Jeremy needed to keep his expectations realistic. Max was way out of his league.

He was lucky he’d been able to touch and taste and learn, and that Max and his family had been so generous. Wishful thinking about the future wouldn’t get him anywhere. He needed to be an adult and go on this date. Even if all he wanted to do was run after Max’s truck and never look back, he’d agreed to meet this guy and couldn’t stand him up.

Where he lurked, he couldn’t really see the cafe, which spread out to his right after the narrow entrance. So he figured he couldn’t be seen either and took another minute to calm his nerves. It was fine.