The Oakville Mall had four wings that all connected at the center, where the food court was. Santa’s Workshop was set up in the South Wing, where few people ventured. It was like the old section of a town that was booming in the fifties but had gone into decay since. The anchor store was an empty Borders that had yet to be replaced, and other storefronts remained vacant, save for the occasional Halloween pop-up store.

Unlike most patrons, Tom liked coming to the South Wing. He could remember every store that occupied every space over the past decade. It was a time capsule of his childhood, when the South Wing was the section of the mall. Back then, he couldn’t wait until he was old enough to work at the mall. He felt like the coolest fourth grader when he got to go with his mom on shopping trips. Oh, youth. When working retail seemed like a glamorous career. He applied at every store he could and wound up getting hired part-time at a Talbot’s as a sophomore in high school. It seemed he’d always had a knack for serving a clientele of older women. Tom continued working at the mall through college, getting the job at The Décor Store his senior year. He enjoyed being on his feet, having a flexible schedule, and coming into contact with a colorful array of characters.

Santa’s Workshop consisted of a snowy path lit by glowing candy canes that led to Santa’s throne and behind that, a holiday hut, where he assumed Santa and the elves drank out of flasks. There were no guests in line yet. This time of year was reserved mostly for holiday die-hards and moms who wanted to cross taking kids to meet Santa off their list before the crush of the season.

Santa emerged from the hut, and holy holiday hard-on, Kirsten was not lying. The Santa costume could not hide such a specimen of male beauty. Those cheekbones could not be obscured by the fake beard. He slouched in his Santa chair, legs spread, and perhaps Kirsten was right about his dick.

Tom kept walking, keeping it casual, pretending that he totally wasn’t checking out Santa Claus. Tom was not a fan of the holiday season. He didn’t hate it like others, but the holidays were synonymous with crazy Christmas shoppers, so it wasn’t a time of year he looked forward to.

Until now.

He could feel Hot Mall Santa staring at him. Those dark, full eyebrows should come with a warning, and those eyes should wear a condom if they were going to completely penetrate Tom.

“It’s closed,” Hot Mall Santa said. He had a deep gravelly voice that practically dared Tom to sprout wood.

“What?” Tom asked.

“The Borders is closed.”

In his quest to be casual, Tom realized he was headed straight for the empty store.

“Oh,” Tom said. “That’s a surprise.”

“Borders went out of business a few years ago.”

“Oh. Right.” Tom didn’t know why, but he still went up to the store and pulled on the doors, like he had to stay in character for the sake of his pride. The doors were locked. “I guess you’re right.”

“What’s your name?” Hot Mall Santa asked him.

Tom blanked for a second before answering.

“What do you want for Christmas, Tom?”

“I’m too old to ask Santa for anything.”

Hot Mall Santa patted his lap. What a wonderful lap it was. He must do squats. No, lunges.

“I am definitely too old for that.”

“You’re never too old for Santa.”

“You have real kids to attend to.” Tom pointed to the empty line at Santa’s Workshop. Damn. “Business will pick up after Thanksgiving.”

“I could use the practice.” Hot Mall Santa patted his lap again. This guy had to be fucking with me. He knew that straight guys who weren’t openly homophobic all secretly reveled in toying with gay guys.

“I’ll pass.”

“Anything special you want?”

Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas is you…inside me.

“Nope.”

Hot Mall Santa continued probing Tom with those penetrating eyes. “You sure? We all want something.”

And actually, Tom gave it some thought. He wanted to wash his feelings for Antonio out of his head. He needed a new crush, someone to pine over that wasn’t his boss, someone who could be a real romantic possibility. Tom had never had a serious boyfriend. He kept finding himself drawn to unattainable guys who were either straight or taken. He hoped there was someone out there who could make him feel the way he felt around Antonio, someone who he had a realistic shot of dating.

But until then, there was Hot Mall Santa, a perfect short-term fixation.

“Thanks, Santa.”

“You haven’t told me what you wanted.” His thick eyebrows lifted in curiosity. He was almost too beautiful to look at.

Almost.

“You’re Santa. You should know.” Tom turned around and headed for the food court.