Saturday arrives with a vengeance after a week filled with financial planning for a ton of clients and dealing with sugared up toddlers at the mall. Landon and I sneak in a few dates during the week, and I’m eager for the Booker & Smith holiday party. I don’t like these events as necessary as they are to keep in good cahoots with the bigwigs. Knowing Landon will be there with me makes it tolerable, and I’m almost looking forward to it.

Carly thinks Landon buying me a Christmas tree is sweet. Most guys bring flowers, she says, and he said screw it, why give me a small flower when I deserve an entire tree? I understand where she’s coming from, really I do, but she doesn’t get it. Do I think Christmas trees are pretty when all decked out with lights and ornaments? Sure. They’re just not for me.

“Tell him the truth then,” she dares me. “That you’re a cold-hearted elf that hates everything surrounding the holiday. That’s a sure-fire way to make him run the other way. Even the toughest of guys still like Christmas.”

I’m not the norm. Yes, people complain about Christmas all the time, and the season is full of frustration for many, but I’d rather skip Christmas altogether.

Tonight I vow to fake it. I’ll pretend to be in the holiday spirit, maybe even sneak a kiss under the mistletoe. It won’t be easy, but I’ll force myself into a joyous mood. And I’ll start with this dress.

When I first saw this dress, I laughed. Who in the world would wear something so hideous? Sleeveless with a royal blue base with a lace panel outlining the neck, this dress looks like Christmas threw up on it. I should know—I’m a master of vomit. The knee-length skirt boasts a flared look complete with Santa and his reindeer against a freshly fallen snow, a fully decorated tree, and a cozy cabin. I bought it as a joke, and when I showed it to Carly, she urged me to wear it. Against my better judgment, I agreed. Now that it’s on, and I’m staring at myself in my full-length mirror, even I have to admit it’s not too bad. It’s cute. Yes. I said cute.

My doorbell rings so I smooth out my dress and pull my fancier jacket out of the closet. I slip on my heels, look at the unopened Christmas tree box in my hallway, and slide out the door. I can’t let Landon in. He hasn’t been in my house all week, and I can’t let him in until I either put the tree up or Christmas is over.

“You’re set to go.” He reaches his hand to mine and helps me down the four steps leading to the walkway. I must be extra careful in these heels since there’s ice on the ground.

Tonight Landon isn’t wearing his hat, instead replacing it with ear warmers. He must not want to mess up his hair, which I admit is perfect. The top is longer than the sides, and he’s styled it in an upward fashion. His coat isn’t buttoned all the way, and I can see his tie, which is close to the shade of blue I’m wearing. We didn’t even plan that. A gray scarf covers his neck, and I hope later I’m nestled there as well.

The gentleman he is, he opens his car door for me. I sit down and buckle in, my butt warming underneath me. “You have your seat warmer on for me.”

“I don’t want you to be cold.”

He’s so considerate. It’s been a long time since I’ve spent time with someone as wonderful as him. Tonight will be a blast. I can feel it. I’ll remove the holiday out of the equation. Problem solved.

The party is forty minutes away at a venue in downtown Milwaukee. Parking is expensive, but my company has splurged for valet parking, so Landon and I can arrive in style and not be forced to walk three or four blocks in the cold. I’m grateful because if I have to walk over any more icy patches, I’ll probably land flat on my backside, my dress over my head. Nothing like that is happening tonight.

We enter through the main doors, a massive staircase in front of us, draped with a deep red velvet rug leading up to a second level. Landon takes my coat, and he checks both of ours in. I loop my arm in his as we take our time going up the stairs, partly because I don’t want to trip, the other because this feels like a fairy tale.

When we reach the top of the stairs, white double doors open to an extravagant ballroom. A band is set up on the far side of the room across from where we stand, and I recognize the holiday song they’re playing, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” Round tables decorated with poinsettias in gold stands, deep red tablecloths underneath the plain white plates with cloth napkins held together by holly fill the room. To the left, a registration table is set up with our seat assignments.

We find our table, number twenty-one, and Landon pulls my chair out for me. I sit, and he pushes me in gently before sitting next to me.

“Don’t you want to mingle?”

I survey the room. I don’t see Carly and Eddie yet and they are the only people I really care to see. I probably should work the room. Even though I just got my promotion, I should always think about the next one. I’m not up to it, though. “I’d rather sit here with you.”

He covers my hand with his. “Me, too.”

“Girl, you’re here!” I recognize Carly’s voice before her hands are on my shoulders. “I can’t believe we’re not at the same table.”

She sits next to me, and Eddie stands behind her. When it comes to her gown, she spares no expense. She sparkles from head to toe, her dress snug against her body and flowing out from behind her. If I didn’t know better, I would think she was wearing an ivory wedding dress.

“Where are you sitting?”

She shows me her card. “Table eight. We’re over there.” She points behind me. “At least we’re close to the bar.”

I’m sure that makes her happy. Carly with a drink in her hand is a happy Carly. “This is Landon,” I say as I point to him. “Landon, this is my best friend Carly, the one whose flowers we put the deposit on. This is her soon-to-be husband, Eddie.”

“We met, remember? Only for a second. You are so cute.” She has no boundaries. “When you came to Juliette’s office the other day, my jaw hit the floor. How did you get to be so gorgeous?”

“Ah, good genes, I guess?”

Oh great, she’s making him uncomfortable. Not to mention I’m sure Eddie doesn’t appreciate it.

“Well, besides good genes, you have great taste. Juliette here is quite the catch.”

Good save, but now she’s embarrassing me. I think she may have already had a bit to drink. I hope she doesn’t plan on drinking too much and making a fool of herself. She loves coming to work functions hoping someone manages to do something stupid. I just really hope she’s not the one.

“Yes, she is. I can’t believe this elf came into my life.”

My cheeks redden as Carly hops off her chair. “She’s so silly with that job. And considering she doesn’t—”

“Carly, take me to the bar,” I interrupt. “Are you okay here with Eddie?”

“I think I can manage to speak with another human being while you’re gone. Get me a drink, too?”

“Sure thing.” I push Carly toward the bar to move her as far away as possible from our table.

“What are you doing? What’s the matter?”

“What’s the matter? Don’t tell Landon about my secret.” I can’t believe she almost slipped up and told him.

“Calm down, Jules. It’s really not as big of a deal as you make it out to be.”

“You may think it’s not but me hating Christmas leads to a discussion on why I hate Christmas which leads me to admitting I’m not sure I can handle a relationship. I’m not ready for that conversation yet.”

“Whoa, you’re overreacting. And newsflash, you’re in a relationship. What happened with your parents has nothing to do with you.”

I reach my hand past her and rest it on the bar. “I know. That doesn’t mean I’m not scared.”

I said it. I pulled deep down within my soul and yanked the truth out. If I can reveal this to anyone, Carly is the one I can trust. “I really like this guy. Really like him. This could be too good to be true. Something is going to either mess it up, or I’ll say something stupid. And what if it does last? Then what?”

She puts her hand on my shoulder. “Then it does, and you’re happy. Don’t allow fear to hold you back from what could be an incredible relationship. Do you think Landon could be the one?”

“I’ve only known him for a few weeks.”

“So? Do you think he could be the one?”

“Carly.”

“Juliette. Come on, answer the question.”

I shrug. “Maybe.”

“Good enough for me.” She grabs me by the shoulders, turns me around, and pushes me forward. “Now go get that man of yours.”

I inhale a deep breath and blow it out. She’s right. Again.

“Wait!” She pulls me back with the sleeve of my dress. “Your drinks. Don’t forget your drinks.”

What would I do without her?