THE NEXT NIGHT, Holly and I ventured off to Zack’s annual holiday party. A heavy dusting of snow had swept over the city in the time since I’d gotten off work—my final nine-to-fiver before leaving for my parents’ house tomorrow—but luckily, the party was only a short walk from our apartment. My fingers were crossed that the skies would clear by morning so I wouldn’t have to drive in the mess.

Shivering and teeth chattering, we arrived at our destination, a twenty-story building on the busy corner of downtown Greene Street. Zack’s father owned the independent hotel, so every year the party took place on the top floor, in the space usually reserved for meetings and conferences. And because Zack was a bigger fan of the holidays than Holly—or maybe it was just that he was a bigger partier—the room was always transformed into something straight out of a storybook. One year it was a winter wonderland, complete with snow blowers; another year there were life-size reindeer.

As we stepped on to the elevator, I nodded toward the bag Holly held. “So what did you end up going with for the white elephant exchange?”

“A bottle of Tequila Rose. I think our gifts are getting worse every year.”

“Like our outfits,” I said, looking down at the Grinch onesie I wore. We’d been told to dress up in ‘Whoville-style pajamas,’ whatever that meant, so Holly had grabbed an outfit for me while shopping for her own. So while I looked ridiculous in a fuzzy, bright green ensemble, she wore a short blond wig with a long pink Snuggie-looking dress…thing. Honestly, I had no idea what she was until I heard her tell a passerby she was “Cindy Lou Who.” Right. I knew that.

When the elevator door opened, a Seussian snow-covered archway with “Welcome to Whoville” greeted us, and just beyond that, well…talk about overstimulation. Everywhere you looked there was tinsel and garland vying to see which one could decorate the most space, as well as oversized ball ornaments gleaming from the ceiling, lit by hundreds of twinkling multicolored lights. Whimsically decorated trees and cutouts of Whoville homes lined the perimeter of the room, and one of the trees even had a Grinch climbing inside. And in the center of the room, a massive tree stretched up to the ceiling, serving as the focal point.

“Wow,” Holly said from beside me. “How did he even get that in here?”

“Welcome, welcome, Whoville-ians,” Zack said, jumping out in front of us in a ta-da motion. Good grief. His hair had been sprayed grey and spread like the Red Sea to each side of his head, curling up in a loop, and he’d obviously used a professional for the facial prosthetics that gave him rounder cheeks and an upturned nose. “Mayor Augustus Mayhoo at your service. Pleased you could make it, Cindy Lou Who and, uh…I suppose you’re allowed in, Grinch.” He smirked and pulled me in for a hug before doing the same to Holly.

“This is unreal. I don’t know how you manage to top yourself every year, but you do,” Holly said.

“It’s because I’m amazing. No need for modesty. Now, five-second tour: gifts can go under the tree, games are to the left, and refreshments are over by the Whoville Bakery. I recommend the Naughty Nutcracker. Has a bit of a kick.” Zack turned to Holly. “Mind if I steal you away for a few? There’s someone I want you to meet.”

Holly raised her eyebrows my way and handed me her gift bag, and as Zack led her away, my lips quirked. My best friend never lacked for admirers, but it’d been a while since anyone worthy had managed to get her attention. It didn’t help that they had to filter through me first. I wasn’t about to let just anyone into our little circle.

There were already a ton of presents underneath the massive tree, and I had to walk around to the other side to find an open spot. I knelt down and sandwiched Holly’s gift in so it sat upright, and as I placed my box in front of it, I heard a male say behind me, “I have a feeling I know what that is.”

My hand froze at the familiar sound, though it wasn’t because I knew the person well. It was because I’d been playing the short conversation from our run-in in my head over and over again since last night.

But no…it couldn’t be him. There’s no way he’d be here, at a random party downtown, the same one I was. Or could he?

I rose to my feet and turned around, and sure enough, there he was. Same gorgeous, thick black hair swept back off his face, same crooked smile turning up his full lips. The only difference tonight was that he’d traded in his suit for a pair of long-sleeved pajamas covered in candy canes and slippers. Somehow, he made even that look hot.

“H-hi,” I managed.

“Hi.” His smile grew. “Don’t worry, I’ll be careful not to knock you over this time.”

Hey, I wouldn’t be opposed to you knocking me into my headboard. No—shut up, Miles. Think of something else, like cookies or presents. Instead, I took one look at his outfit and blurted, “Your balls are impressive.”

He let out a low chuckle. “Sorry?”

I pointed to the long flashing necklace he wore that was made out of Christmas ornamental balls and matched his pajamas. “Your, uh, necklace.”

He glanced down, and as if he didn’t know it was there, he said, “Oh. Right. Well, it’s always important to make sure your balls are properly hung.”

I chuckled. I had not been expecting that.

“I’m Aiden,” he said, holding his hand out.

“Miles.” I gave him what I hoped was a firm shake and not one that showed I was in any way flustered by touching him. His grip was strong and lingered as he smiled at me, and I liked the way it felt.

“It’s nice to meet you, Miles.”

I’d opened my mouth to respond when a blast came from beside us, startling us both and causing Aiden to drop my hand. The man on the unicycle continued to blow on his horn as he sped away through the crowd, and when I noticed Aiden’s wide eyes, I laughed.

“First Zack party?” I said.

“It is.”

“You should’ve been here when he reenacted Santa falling off the roof. I think everyone had a heart attack, but luckily, he’d landed on a mattress covered with snow.”

“Terribly sorry I missed that,” Aiden said, laughing. Then he cocked his head to the side, and the way he studied me sent a shiver to my core. “I was going to get something to drink if you’d like to join me?”

“Yeah, sure,” I said, trying for nonchalant. Was Holly seeing this? I needed proof it was actually happening and not some figment of my imagination. “I heard the Naughty Nutcracker is not to be missed.”

Aiden eyed me for a second, but then his lips quirked up at the sides. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were a little preoccupied with my balls, Miles.”

“Well, they are nice balls.”

Aiden chuckled and leaned closer to me, and Lord, the man smelled phenomenal—like snow, pine, and something delicious that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. All I knew was I wanted to lick his neck.

“I’m glad you think so,” Aiden said.

Really, could the man be any more perfect? Good-looking and a massive flirt to boot?

“So, what exactly is in a Naughty Nutcracker?”

I had no idea, really. But every time the guy said the word “nut,” my mind went somewhere completely different than the drink.

“Miles?” Aiden said, and I mentally slapped myself back into the present.

Get yourself together, man, or he’s going to think the Grinch stole your brain and not Christmas. “Sorry, I, um, didn’t ask. But if Zack’s recommending it, I’d caution moderation. That guy has no limitations when it comes to alcohol.”

“Oh? Know this from experience, do you?”

“Let’s just say I’ll never take another Scroogedriver from him again. And if he offers you one, just say no. You’ll thank me for it later.”

“Good to know,” Aiden said. “But now I’m curious what happened to make you issue a PSA against it.”

“My lips are sealed,” I said, finding it surprisingly easy to talk to him.

Aiden’s eyes dropped to my mouth. “That sure would be a shame.”

I cleared my throat, knowing if I didn’t give myself something to do, and quickly, I just might end up dragging this dreamboat away and doing him instead.

“So um…about that drink,” I said, and gestured over my shoulder. “We should go track it down.”

“I’d love to.”

This guy really was everything I had ever wished for, and I was starting to think I needed to go find Holly and thank her for making me sit my ass on Santa’s lap this year. “Okay then, follow me. Zack said it’s over by the bakery.”

As I walked off through the crowd, I wasn’t sure if I was imagining it, but I swore I could feel Aiden’s eyes on my ass. Suddenly I wished I’d made him go ahead, because I had no doubt he was just as fine going as he was coming. I’d have to be sure to check that out later…

We made our way through the crowd to the back, where a long bar was being tended to by a handful of Whoville-ians. As Aiden and I sidled up to an open spot, I picked up the specialty cocktail list.

“A Three Wise Men shot? Oh God. I did one of those on my twenty-first birthday, and never again.” I groaned. “It was three shot glasses, and one had whiskey, one had bourbon, and the other had scotch, and I had to do them, bam, bam, bam, no chaser. Worst hangover ever.”

“Ouch. I think I’ll pass on that one.”

“Uh, yeah. Unless you want to forget tonight ever happened.”

“I definitely don’t want to forget tonight.”

I swallowed hard at the way he looked at me and dropped my gaze back down to the list in my hand. How anyone could stay upright under that potent stare was beyond me. “Um… It looks like a Naughty Nutcracker is Kahlua, Grand Marnier, Baileys Irish Cream, and amaretto over ice. I hope you have a sweet tooth.”

“I’m suddenly developing one.” Aiden caught the attention of one of the bartenders. “Two Naughty Nutcrackers, please.”

“Excellent choice,” she said, and went off to make our drinks.

“So, are you from around here?” I asked. “I’ve never seen you before and now I’ve run into you twice.”

“Maybe that’s fate.”

“Maybe that’s not an answer.”

Aiden let out a low laugh. “I moved here a few months ago from Baltimore.”

“For work?”

“Not completely. I thought a fresh start would be nice. What about you?”

“I grew up a few hours from here, but I went to college at Stoneyside and decided to stay after I graduated.”

“And how recently was that?”

It was obvious to me that Aiden was a bit older than I was…late twenties, maybe? Thirty? I’d always been told I looked young for my age—I blamed that on not being able to bulk up much, no matter how much protein powder I consumed—and the last thing I wanted was for him to think I was some fresh-out-of-college guy with no experience.

“About three and a half years ago,” I said.

“Which makes you, what, twenty-five or so?”

“Yep. How old are you?”

Aiden rubbed his finger along his lower lip. “How old do you think I am? Be kind.”

“And if I’m not?”

My teasing made Aiden’s grin grow, as the bartender set a couple of old-fashioned glasses in front of us.

“Two Naughty Nutcrackers for two naughty Whoville-ians,” she said, before moving on to the next customer.

Aiden handed me a glass and picked one up for himself. “Tell you what. If you guess correctly, I’ll do one of those horrible Three Wise Men shots.”

“And if I’m wrong?”

“Then you’re gonna help me find the mistletoe.”

There was no way I was going to say no to that. If anyone was going to benefit from that piece of kiss-inspiring vegetation, it was going to be me. “Just help you find it?”

Aiden raised his glass, took a sip, and then said, “Guess, and you’ll find out.”

God, he was sexy, and I was well, more…cute? I’d always been the aww, isn’t he adorable guy, and people like Aiden didn’t usually mix with people like me—until, apparently, now. If this really was Santa’s doing, he had hit this one out of the park, and I was not about to blow it. Well, er, at least not right this second.

“Um, okay, let’s see,” I said, and then let my eyes travel down his ornament pajamas—because, let’s be real, I wasn’t stupid. I then raised my eyes to his smirking lips and guessed, “Twenty-eight?”

“You know, I actually think you gave that a fair shot…”

“Of course I did. I want to see you swallow back those three men.”

Aiden let out a loud, boisterous laugh and took a step closer to me. “You seem to have a one-track mind tonight, Miles. That’s why I’m shocked you actually took a fair go at this.”

“I don’t know what’s wrong with my mouth tonight.” Knowing full well that he was exactly what was wrong with it. One look at him and all I’d wanted was to drag him off somewhere dark and private.

“Absolutely nothing wrong from what I can see,” he said.

Jesus, he was too much—and I loved it.

“Although, I’m about to find out for sure when I get you under the mistletoe. Aren’t I?”

“I guessed wrong?” Oh darn, what a terrible tragedy, having to find a mistletoe with this man.

“Mhmm.” Aiden took another swallow of his drink, and I followed suit, my mouth suddenly dry. “Twenty-nine.”

I’d been close, but thankfully not close enough. While it would’ve been entertaining to watch him shudder through the Three Wise Men shot, it would be much more entertaining to help him find the mistletoe.

When Aiden finished off his drink, I realized I’d been nursing mine and quickly downed a mouthful. It was pretty good, actually, deceivingly sweet knowing how strong it really was. When I was done, I set my empty glass on the bar beside Aiden’s, and then he surprised the hell out of me by grabbing my hand.

“You ready?” he asked.

Uh, yeah, I am. He was lucky I wasn’t climbing on his back.

I nodded and gave his hand a squeeze, and he responded by lacing our fingers and squeezing mine back. Something so simple, but it made my pulse race. It was crazy, since what did I even know about this guy other than the handful of things I’d learned tonight, but as impulsive as it was, it all felt…magical. Like one of those Christmas movies Holly and I watched during the holidays, the ones that gave you all the feels and also made you a little bit hot under the collar. That was exactly how I felt holding Aiden’s hand as I walked alongside him, and in that moment, I was convinced I would go anywhere with him.

I pointed up at a greenery bunch hanging over one of the Whoville doorways. “Is that mistletoe?”

Aiden squinted at it. “Nope.”

We walked some more, and I tugged him back when I saw another bunch strung up over the dancefloor, but this one had red berries on it. “What about that?”

“I think that’s just holly.”

“You have a lot of experience with this, huh?”

Aiden glanced over his shoulder. “I’ve watched my fair share of Christmas movies. I know how this works.”

Before I could reply, he was off again, weaving us through the crowds of people drinking and laughing, and I had to admit that I was feeling slightly lightheaded from how eager Aiden seemed to track down this spot and get me under it—that or it was the Naughty Nutcracker kicking in. Either way, I could feel my heart thumping in time with the synthesizers of “Wonderful Christmastime” as we entered the next room, where the only lights on were those wrapped around the two trees by a set of doors leading to a balcony.

“Maybe we should look for the people kissing,” I joked, as Aiden headed toward the doors, and as we got closer, I noticed that was exactly what he’d just spotted.

Out on the balcony terrace, there were colorful twinkle lights strung up, illuminating the area that had been decked out in a winter wonderland with the falling snow, and as we stepped out onto it, the couple who had been wrapped around one another passed us by. The girl was rosy-cheeked and grinning as her man led her back inside, and it was easy to see the ambiance and magic of the night had swept them up in its embrace—much like it had me.

She giggled as they passed by, and as she looked up at me, I felt a sense of kinship with her. Like we were sharing a secret moment. One where we knew exactly what the other had just done and was about to do, and I had a feeling I’d be grinning as widely as her within the next few minutes or so. Fingers crossed.

As Aiden and I stepped out onto the balcony, it was as though we stepped into another world. The doors blocked the chatter and music from inside, and it was just me and Aiden.

“I believe we’ve found it,” Aiden said as he drew me to a stop in the center of the balcony where the lights met, then he looked up and pointed. “I told you I know how this works.”

I didn’t know if it was the alcohol thrumming through my veins, or if it was pent-up desire, but I found myself stepping closer to Aiden. With our hands still linked, we stood toe to toe, so close I could taste the puffs of air he exhaled. I wanted more of that sweetness, but I wanted his next breath to be joined with mine.

“Then why don’t you show me?” I said.

That must’ve been what he wanted to hear, because Aiden’s fingers tightened around mine, bringing me in closer. He held our joined hands at his waist as his other came up to cup my jaw, and then his thumb brushed against my lower lip.

Just that touch and I felt it everywhere. It was like we were in our own little snow globe with the way the snowflakes fell softly around us and clung to his dark lashes. He was simply gorgeous, and as he lowered his head, I moved up onto my toes, wanting nothing more than to get closer to the mouth I’d been looking at for the last half hour.

“Fate…” Aiden whispered against my lips, and a shiver raced up my spine. “That’s what running into you tonight is. Fate.”

My lips parted, and as I was about to respond, he gently grazed his over mine, and I trembled. What was going on here? I’d thought this was going to be a quick, fiery kiss we’d joke about and possibly repeat several times if I was lucky. But this was so much more. My knees felt weak, and as the warmth of his lips pressed a little firmer against mine, I reached up and grabbed at his arm to keep myself steady.

The air outside was crisp and cool, but right then I could’ve been standing in front of a blazing fire with the flames now licking through my veins, and when the tip of his tongue traced my lower lip, begging for entrance, a moan escaped my throat before I could stop it.

A deep-throated rumble left Aiden, and before I could even try to get my brain to catch up, his tongue entered my mouth and erased every other kiss I’d ever had from my mind.

My fingers dug into his arm, as he trailed his down my throat and around to the back of my neck, and when he threaded them through my hair and angled his head to get a deeper taste, I just about melted into a puddle at his feet.

This kiss was way beyond anything I’d expected when he suggested we find the mistletoe, and when he smiled against my lips, and then nipped my lower one, I found myself close to begging him not to stop.

“I have definitely developed a sweet tooth tonight, Miles. And it’s a craving I don’t think will be satisfied with just one kiss. Can I see you again?”

“Yes—” I started, as the doors busted open and a mass of partygoers flooded onto the balcony, breaking us apart and invading our private moment. Without the warmth of his body pressed against mine, I quivered in the cold, missing his touch already.

“Aiden, my man,” Zack shouted as he wrapped an arm around Aiden’s shoulders. “I’ve been looking for you. We need shots. Drinks and shots. Shots and drinks.”

Aiden caught my eyes. “Actually, I—”

“Hey, Miles, you come too,” Zack said, waving me over, and then, with his arm still around Aiden, he started back inside, the crowd parting for them easily. Aiden glanced over his shoulder, and I nodded, heading in their direction, though no one was moving aside for me.

I’d just made it off the balcony when I felt a tug on my arm and turned around to find Holly, her eyes wide, and her dark skin pale—and not from the cold.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, pulling her to the side out of the way off the people heading outside.

“We have to leave,” she said, panic in her voice.

“Leave? But we just got here, and you’re not gonna believe this, but I’ve been hanging out with the guy from—”

“Miles, Scott’s here.”

Oh shit. Of anything she could’ve said, that was the last thing I wanted to hear, and all because I knew what it meant. Remember when I said Holly didn’t lack for admirers? Let’s just say there’d been a rotten one in the bunch, one she’d almost had to file a restraining order against, and though he’d long since left town, there was no way she needed to be anywhere near that guy.

But…

I stood on my tiptoes, looking in the direction of the bar for Aiden. I didn’t want to leave, not after the best kiss of my life, but I wouldn’t leave my friend in a bad situation either, and Holly was my family. She’d never think twice if the roles were reversed.

Aiden and Zack weren’t at the bar, and as I searched the room, I couldn’t find them anywhere.

“Miles, please, I don’t want him to see me,” Holly said, angling herself behind me, with her back to the wall.

“We’re going,” I said, giving the room one last look and feeling the disappointment settle in the pit of my stomach when I still didn’t see Aiden.

Okay… I couldn’t tell him goodbye, but I could get his number from Zack. I mean, he’d asked to see me again, so surely this wasn’t a one-night deal.

As I kept a lookout for Scott, I steered Holly toward the elevator we’d come up on and told myself I would see Aiden again.

Because like he’d said: this had been fate…right?