“You!” my mouth dropped open. “You’re the wolf shifter I won?”

“Wow, this is my lucky day!” He responded. “You’re gorgeous!”

Was this really happening? Did I really win a shifter in a lottery—a shifter dressed up in a snug fitting Santa suit, telling me I was gorgeous? Could this day get any weirder?

Karina shook her head, her brows knitting together. “You two know each other?”

I let out a deep breath. This was going to be much easier than I thought. There was no way I had any interest in dating some dude that dressed up like a poor imitation of Santa. I mean, it was bad enough to dress up like Santa at all, but on top of that, he couldn’t even do it that well.

“Well, no, we don’t know each other really, but we…talked for a few minutes outside.” I said hastily.

“Let me formally introduce myself,” he grinned. “I’m Santa Claus…”

I pursed my lips.

“Just kidding,” he pulled the white beard away from his face, revealing some sexy scruff on his chin. “I’m Josh Sterling.”

“You had me fooled for a minute there,” I muttered.

“Josh, this is Amy Bowen,” Karina said.

“Nice to meet you, beautiful, and I’m really, truly sorry you lost your job.”

“You lost your job? I’m sorry, Amy. I didn’t know.”

“Yeah, I, um…wanted to talk to you about that, Karina…but…later, ok?”

“Of course, Amy,” she flashed a wide smile at Josh. “That’s a nice Santa suit you’re wearing. You’re certainly showing your Christmas spirit!”

Josh nodded. “Bud Dwyer, a friend of mine, and I volunteer at the Sunshine State Hospital for Children. Every year he dresses up like Santa—the kids love it. But he fell over and broke his leg, so I filled in for him at the last minute.” Josh extended his arms, lifting them up and sheepishly showing off the short length. “Not the best fit, obviously, but we didn’t want to disappoint all those sick kids and it was too late to get another suit.”

“Oh, wow,” I bit my lip. That was such a nice thing for him to do.

He tilted his head towards me. I couldn’t help but notice how warm and inviting his chocolate colored eyes were. “Sorry I’m meeting you for the first time wearing this suit. It’s not something I would normally wear to meet you—my mate.”

My eyes widened and I blinked a few times. He actually thought this ‘Lovebites Lottery’ thing was going to work—and that I was his mate? I mean, I figured it was good for some laughs and dates, but getting mated? Who was he kidding?

“Anyway,” he continued, “I came here directly after visiting the children at the hospital. I didn’t have time to change. Of course, kids kept stopping me along the way to share their wish list and ask how Rudolph and the rest of the reindeer were doing. Oh, and they wanted to know what kind of cookies I wanted with my milk.” He flashed a toothpaste perfect white smile as he cocked his head at me, his cocoa eyes holding mine. “I just love kids. I can’t wait for us to have a few of our own—two, three, four—heck as many as you like.”

I swallowed. Wow…this was crazy. I barely knew this guy and he was talking about us being mated with kids? What was he smoking?

“That’s awesome, Josh,” Karina tilted her head, acting like what he had just said was the most normal thing in the world. “I bet you really bring brightness into the lives of those sick kids. They must be thrilled. And I’m so excited for you and Amy to start your new lives together!”

“I can’t wait!” he grinned, flashing me another toothy smile.

Whoa! This was all happening so fast.

“So, anyway, as you know, the two of you are our second match in the ‘Lovebites Lottery.’ Our first match was a raging success and we are pretty confident this one will be too. We at the lottery think it would be great if you two got to know one another better. I have a gift certificate here for Phil’s Prime. They’re open for lunch and dinner. I had a delicious prime rib there last week. Not only is the food great, but the place is all decked out for the holidays. One of the trees is completely covered in cream ribbons, starfish, and seashells. It’s spectacular!”

“Look, um, I wish I had time to get to know Josh,” I glanced over at him, then back to Karina. “But I just lost my job, and I really don’t have time for dating. I need to find work—and fast.”

“Of course finding a job will be your focus,” Karina frowned, “but I’m hoping you will find time to develop a relationship too. I mean, is one exclusive to the other?”

“Really, I think it best that I focus on the job hunt. Like I said, I don’t have time for dating or for Christmas for that matter.”

“What’s wrong with Christmas?” Josh frowned, his handsome face creasing.

“What’s wrong with Christmas? What’s right with it? It’s just so commercial. I mean, stores have trees up before the Thanksgiving turkey is done cooling in the oven—sometimes while the Halloween costumes are still on display. The music is hokey, the prices are jacked up, and it’s all about getting you to spend and spend…”

“I think you need a little Christmas spirit,” Karina interrupted quickly.

“I think she needs a lot of Christmas spirit. Come on, Amy. Let’s go get some lunch at Phil’s Prime and check out the Christmas decorations. I can’t wait to see the seashell tree!”

“I don’t think so,” I shook my head. “I’d better get started on the job hunt.”

“Look, I know you need to find a job, but you still have to eat, right?”

“Well…I suppose,” I admitted.

“And Phil’s Prime has a reputation for great food.”

“True,” I agreed.

“And you’re hungry?”

“Yes…yes I am.”

Josh stood up and reached for my hand. “Let’s go eat, beautiful!”