Ever since the night of that date, things had been awkward between Avery and Krampus…precisely because Krampus had pretended that nothing had changed between them.

Every day, he came over to get his pastries.

Every day, he went back to Camp Kringle, pastries and coffee in hand.

Well, one thing had changed.

Krampus had started to eat a pastry at the bakery, every day. He tried whatever new goodies Avery had whipped up, which weren’t part of his standard order, and had them with a cup of Christmas tea.

He sat at a particular table, where he pretended to read from his latest choice in book — the autobiography of Père Fouettard.

However, Avery knew he wasn’t reading the dang book.

“So, is this the game you’re gonna play?” asked Avery, sauntering up to the table, wiping her hands on a dishrag, and tossing it to the table, just missing Krampus’ plate of candy cane donut holes.

“I haven’t the slightest idea of what you’re getting — hey!” said Krampus, as Avery poked his book. “I’m reading this!”

“Upside down?” asked Avery, raising an eyebrow.

“Well, it’s all the style in Hell,” grumbled Krampus.

“Sure it is,” said Avery. “Why don’t you just tell me what you want, Krampus?”

“Fine — a date,” said Krampus. “We have two more dates left, and yes — you can, of course, opt out of them, but…I think that the experience of the last date has prepared me for our next date.”

“I’m still getting the taste of garlic out of my mouth,” hissed Avery. “What makes you think you’re getting a second date, much less a third?”

“Why would you need to get the taste of garlic out of your mouth?” asked Jezebel, leaning over the pastry counter. “You must be into some really kinky shit.”

“I swear — I think Krampus made a mistake not hiring a lumberjack this year because if he had, you’d have someone to occupy your time and be less interested in the love lives of others,” sassed Avery.

“Trust me — one lumberjack, that wouldn’t’ve been enough,” said Jezebel with a wink. “Why don’t I go out back and rake the leaves? Give you two some privacy?”

‘“It’s the middle of December,” said Avery with a frown. “There aren’t any leaves to rake!”

“And there won’t be when I’m done hanging out there either,” said Jezebel, pouring herself some coffee before heading off to the back patio to fuck around on her phone and read a romance novel or something.

“Nice girl,” said Krampus.

“What, you want to ask her out?” asked Avery. “Have your second date with her?”

“I’m being sarcastic,” said Krampus. “She’s not Nice — she’s Naughty.”

“And let me guess — that’s your type?” asked Avery.

“Well, they say opposites attract…and I’m Naughty…so, no,” said Krampus.

“So, what — because you’re a bad boy, you need a good girl?” asked Avery.

“Yes and no,” said Krampus. “First of all — I’m not a bad boy. I’m a bad man — a bad demon. I don’t need a good girl — I need a good woman. You know, with curves. Womanly curves. Thick ones. For doing stuff to — you know, the stuff that comes after ‘smooching,’ the whole reason I can’t eat frikkin’ garlic on the date.”

The words sent a shiver down Avery’s spine. Krampus could be so damn sexy when he tried — or was he trying? Was this him not trying to be sexy at all?

“Hell to Avery,” said Krampus, waving his hand in front of Avery’s face. “Second date. You. Me. You in? Or am I going on our date by myself?”

“I think I deserve to know what the Hell I’m getting myself into first,” said Avery, putting a hand on her hip.

“You said that a show and dinner is a winner, right?” asked Krampus. “Well, that’s what I’ve got planned — a show, and dinner. You’re free tonight.”

“How do you know I’m free tonight?” asked Avery.

“Because you just confirmed it,” said Krampus. “Now, am I picking you up at six, or what?”

“Fine, fine,”‘ admitted Avery. “Six is fine. But this isn’t a promise that there’ll be a date three.”

“Of course it’s not,” said Krampus, before bussing his table and heading back to Camp Kringle. If he was going to pull this date off, he definitely needed to take a full day to work on himself.

“Alright, alright,” said Pandora, hanging up the phone. Within five seconds, Krampus had popped into her office at The Workshop – her father’s workshop at The North Pole.

“Pandora, thank you for meeting me on such short notice,” said Krampus, taking a seat from the future ‘Panda’ Claus.

“When I said you could come over, I don’t know why I expected you to give me maybe, oh, I don’t know – fifteen minutes to straighten up,” said Pandora, pushing through the gifts piled on the table.

“You’re still practicing?” asked Krampus. “I thought you’d have your giftomancy down by now.”

“Summoning presents out of thin air is hard work,” said Pandora in a huff. “I still can’t manage to summon specific items – just things that people either want, need, or both want and need. But, I have a feeling you aren’t here to talk to me about gifts.”

“Not…exactly,” admitted Krampus. “I, uh…am trying to find my fated mate this year.”

“Eww,” said Pandora, shaking her head. “You’re like an uncle to me. I don’t wanna hear about that!”

“I mean finding and not, well, the rest,” said Krampus, crossing his arms.

“Why don’t you ask Avery for help?” asked Pandora. “She probably knows more about women than me. I’ve never even had a boyfriend!”

“Not even Jack?” asked Krampus, raising an eyebrow.

“Uhm, no,” said Pandora, blushing bright red. “But, this isn’t about me, now, is it?”

“I have asked Avery for help…but, that’s sort of the problem,” said Krampus. “She agreed to help me out, let me go on some practice dates with her, but…”

“But what?” asked Pandora.

“I don’t think I want these to be practice dates,” said Krampus. “But…I don’t want to lead her on, either. Can you give me a gift?”

“What?” asked Pandora.

“Whatever gift you’re supposed to give me for Christmas, can you summon it now?” asked Krampus.

“I mean, I guess – but I don’t get how that’ll solve your problem,” said Pandora. Pandora clapped her hands together, pulled them apart, and down dropped a tiny box, labeled, ‘To Krampus, From Pandora.’

Krampus took the gift and started to open it – ripping the paper, but saving the ribbon.

“Hey!” hissed Pandora. “What the Hell do you think you’re doing? It’s not time to open gifts yet!”

“Yeah, well, I’m a demon who breaks every law in the book,” said Krampus. “That includes the laws of Christmas magic – and of Christmas tradition.” Krampus opened the box. It was the moment of truth. He knew what had been in Pandora’s box for the last eight bad boys he’d trained at The Wreath. They’d all received the keys to their future, to their fates, to their mates. Would the item inside his box be like those items? Or would it just be some gag gift, like a pickle-shaped Christmas ornament?

Krampus reached inside the box and felt velvet. He quickly poured the contents of the box out, looked inside the tinier box inside the gift box, and then, shut it, before pocketing the gift box again, where it floated in the void next to some mail from Hell.

“Is that what I thought it was?” asked Pandora, putting her hands to her face.

“Yes – it’s what I suspected,” said Krampus, unable to control the grin on his face. “Now…there’s another reason I asked to meet with you. How would you feel about driving a sleigh tonight?”

“Uh, I’d do anything to have the opportunity,” said Pandora. She couldn’t believe that Krampus was going to help her steal her dad’s sleigh! Santana was going to have a frikkin’ fit. Pandora had dreamed of flying that sleigh since she was a wee girl.

“Shake on it?” asked Krampus, proffering a hand. “I’m also going to need some dating lessons – real ones – from you and Jack…”

Avery had gotten absorbed in a forum war about chocolate chip cookie baking times and hadn’t noticed the time fly by. It’s why she didn’t hear the man knocking at her door. When she got a text, she realized that it was already half past six!

Avery quickly closed up the bakery and headed outside to the back patio, where, standing in a suit, making magical ornaments appear in midair — and pop into a thousand shards that he could reassemble with a mere snap of his fingers — was a demon.

Tall, with broad shoulders, a well-groomed black beard, kept short, and black curled hair that was slicked back but still curled at the sides, this looked like the kind of man one would make a deal with and regret later.

In a black suit, with pinstripes, and an absinthe green tie, he looked like he didn’t belong in that town, not one bit.

“Krampus?” asked Avery, incredulous. “Is that really…you?”

“I should be asking if that’s really you,” answered Krampus, putting his balls away — making the ornaments disappear back into the ether — and approaching Avery. “After all, I was starting to get worried about you. I’ve never known you to be…tardy.”

“Well, there’s a first time for everything, I suppose,” admitted Avery.

Krampus proffered his arm. Avery was surprised.

“Well?” asked Krampus.

“It’s very polite of you, but, I have to decline,” said Avery. “I’d take your arm if I were dating you, but…”

“Isn’t this a practice date?” asked Krampus.

“Well, yes,” said Avery.

Krampus waited a beat.

“And…isn’t a practice date a type of date?” asked Krampus.

“Well…I suppose it is,” admitted Avery. “And, after all, I wouldn’t want to deny you the experience of a proper date with me — I mean, a proper date, that I just happen to be on, but for practice only, of course.”

“Of course,” agreed Krampus.

Avery took Krampus’ arm. Krampus led her from the back patio around the wide-open sides of the cafe to The Wreath’s main drag, a street that ran around the entire lake.

There, in the very front of the cafe, was a sleigh, driven by four horses.

There, at the very helm of the sleigh…was none other than Pandora Claus, sitting next to the one, the only, the icy Jack Frost.

“Holy…Hell,” cursed Avery. “Pandora? Is that you? And Jack? Jack Frost?”

“Evening, ma’am,”‘ said Pandora, giving Avery a wink.

“Hey, Avery,” said Jack, nodding at Avery.

“Are you supposed to be driving this thing?” asked Avery.

“Shh,” said Pandora, holding a finger up to her lips. “The less you know, the better.”

“Krampus, I swear, even when you’re Nice, you manage to be — oh!” said Avery, as Krampus moved to take her hand and lead her up into the back of the sleigh, which didn’t hold a familiar sack of toys, but instead, had an upholstered back fit for a couple.

“This isn’t Santana’s sleigh,” said Krampus.

“Well, now I can see that,” admitted Avery, blushing with embarrassment at the fact she hadn’t even recognized that this wasn’t her boss’s signature vehicle. “I just thought that…”

“…I’d do something Naughty?” asked Krampus, waggling his eyebrows.

“Sorry,” squeaked Avery.

“Don’t be,” said Krampus. “The night is still young. There’s still time…for Naughtiness.”

“Alright, I’m putting the Christmas music on,” said Pandora, shaking her head and playing a playlist on her phone. “I don’t wanna hear you two going on and on about…ugh. That.”

Avery and Krampus watched the world of The Wreath. It was like a painting come to life. People were caroling down the streets in varied groups — some in families, some in groups of friends, and some groups of couples that had all joined up to bring merriment to all and sundry. People were selling Christmas trees — Krampus’ competitors — and other bakeries selling goodies — Avery’s competition. There were ice rinks where families all skated in a line and where couples skated in hearts.

The sleigh ride was a bit bumpy, but, before long, came to a halt — in front of the theater.

It wasn’t in front of the movie theater.

It was in front of the theater, the only fancy venue in The Wreath.

“Are you sure we’re at the right place?” asked Avery.

“I’m sure,” said Krampus, hopping out of the sleigh so he could help Avery out of the sleigh. Krampus winked at Pandora, who gave him a thumb’s up, before heading off into the night with Jack and their sleigh, which was paid for through the night.

“The theater’s awfully fancy,” said Avery. “And I…well, I’m wearing this.”

Krampus snapped his fingers. “Wearing what?”

“Wearing my — are you kidding me?” asked Avery, looking down. Krampus had turned her usual work clothes, which were practical and comfortable, into a frikkin’ fancy outfit! She was wearing a red and crimson pinstripe dress that hugged her curves perfectly. She had on a pair of sheer black pantyhose and a black tulle bow hugged her waist. Black leather flats melded into the pantyhose. Around her wrist, there was a pop of color — a bright green emerald gemstone bracelet. She opened the tiny emerald green wristlet on her other wrist. Inside, all the items she’d stuffed into her tote bag had magically appeared, transferred into their proper places, in a bag with no end, like Krampus’ pockets.

Avery had to admit there were some fringe benefits to dating Krampus — even on a pretend date. Not only would Krampus’ future mate have a tall, broad-shouldered date with devilish good looks as their escort, but they’d also have access to quite the wardrobe.

She had to admit that whoever he ended up with…well, she’d be a bit lucky. It made Avery feel a little jealous. She was helping train Krampus for whatever woman he ended up with. Maybe, she should’ve said something about her feelings for him, all those years ago.

“Okay…well, clothes are fine, but, makeup?” asked Avery.

“You don’t need any,” said Krampus.

“What if I want some?” asked Avery indignantly.

“Do you want some?” asked Krampus.

Avery didn’t want makeup. She just wanted to argue. But, now that Krampus had challenged her, she had to think of something. She didn’t wear makeup very often.

“Some lip gloss would be nice! My lips are chapped to Hell!” said Avery.

“Okay,” said Krampus. “Check behind your ear.”

“Are you frikkin’ serious?” asked Avery.

“If you won’t, I will,” said Krampus, reaching behind Avery’s ear and taking out a lip gloss and a mirror. “Here.”

“It’s clear!” complained Avery.

“You asked for lip gloss. Didn’t specify a kind. I like the color of your natural lips,” said Krampus. “If you want, you can get whatever cocktail you want inside, and stain your lips with that.”

‘‘I suppose that will do,” admitted Avery. Avery pulled out the mirror and swabbed lip gloss over her lips and pocketed the makeup and mirror before going into the theater with Krampus.

As they were led to their seats by an usher, Avery realized she had no idea what they were there to see.

“Your box, sir,” said the usher, leading Avery and Krampus into a private box.

There was only one problem.

The box only had one seat — a large loveseat. In front of the loveseat, there were various light, non-noisy snacks for them to partake in, as well as eggnog for Avery and absinthe for Krampus.

“You’re drinking absinthe for Christmas?” asked Avery, crossing her arms.

“You drink eggnog all year,” retorted Krampus.

“Fine, you got me there — but you don’t got me chair,” said Avery, pointing to the sofa. “I thought we’d have two chairs! What do we do with that?”

“Do you mean to tell me you’ve never used a sofa before?” asked Krampus, feigning shock. “Well, it’s really quite simple.” Krampus took Avery by the hand.

“All you do…is take a seat,” said Krampus, when Avery was standing in front of the sofa.

“Okay,” said Avery, purposely taking a seat in the center of the sofa.

“And then…so do I,” said Krampus, sitting right next to Avery and calling her bluff. Avery moved over so that Krampus’ arm wasn’t rubbing against hers.

But then, the show started. The curtains came up, and Avery nearly dropped her dang eggnog. Then, Avery cozied back up to Krampus.

“Are we really seeing…” started Avery.

“Shh, Avery,” said Krampus, wrapping his arm around Avery’s soft, wide shoulders and whispering into her ear. “You wouldn’t want to get me kicked out of the theater, would you?”

“I still can’t believe you got us tickets to see ‘The Nutcracker,’” said Avery. “How did you know that’s my favorite Christmas ballet?” Avery took another sip of her second cup of Christmas tea. Krampus had taken her to dinner after they’d seen their show and now, they were having dessert and tea at one of the cafes that was open late, a French cafe with chocolate and spearmint macarons that Avery had to admit might rival her own.

“Name another Christmas ballet,” challenged Krampus.

“You got me there,” admitted Avery. “The ballet was so amazing, Krampus. I can’t believe I had no idea that was happening. I didn’t even think to check and see if anyone was putting on a production, what with work.”

“And dinner?” asked Krampus.

“Are you really fishing for more compliments?” asked Avery.

“Yes — and complaints,” said Krampus. “I need to feedback, remember? After all…this is a practice date, isn’t it?”

“I have a sneaking suspicion you only picked the Italian place because you wanted to eat garlic bread,” said Avery, crossing her arms.

“Says the woman that ordered the alfredo. How would you feel about a third —” started Krampus.

“Yes,” said Avery. “When?”

“ — Cup of tea, and I was thinking…now,” said Krampus. “Why? What were you thinking?”

“Nothing, it was nothing,” lied Avery.

“Oh, that’s too bad,” said Krampus, standing up and taking their cups to the bussing area.

While Krampus ordered them two more cups of tea, Avery couldn’t believe she’d lied to Krampus. It was so stupid. She’d never been able to admit it to him. She could hardly admit it to herself.

She did want a third of something — and more than just a third. She wanted a fourth, a fifth, heck, as many as there were days in Christmas.

Krampus came back with the tea.

“Here’s your third — cup of tea,” said Krampus slyly, putting the tea in front of Avery.

“Thanks,” mumbled Avery.

Krampus took his seat across from the Christmas elf. He’d played this game long enough. If he played it any longer, like he had in the past…well, there wasn’t time for him to be playing those games anymore. The frikkin’ bale of straw he’d woken up in back on Camp Kringle was proof of that. The magic was running out, and so was the time.

“How would you feel about a third?” asked Krampus.

“Cup of tea?” asked Avery. “You already got me one.”

“A third date,” said Krampus. “How would you feel about that?”

“I’d really like that,” admitted Avery. “For practice?”

“No — for real,”‘ said Krampus. “Was this ever really about practice for you?”

“The first one, maybe — but the second one, well, definitely not practice,” said Avery. “That frikkin’ kiss got me. Was that your doing?”

“Was what my doing?” asked Krampus.

“The mistletoe testicles — I mean, balls. Did you conjure those out of thin air?” asked Avery.

“No — I didn’t have to. Look around you,” said Krampus. “There’s mistletoe over nearly every table in here. The Wreath is crawling with the stuff. I’d never make you kiss me like that. Plus, you’d know if I conjured mistletoe. It’d look like…this.” Krampus waved his hand and, up in the rafters above them, a single growth of mistletoe sprouted and then, all of a sudden, became bigger with white berries and glossy green leaves as it snaked itself into the form of a ball.

Krampus reached across the table and took Avery’s hand in his. He pressed his lips to the back of her hand gently…and when Avery pulled her hand away, he wasn’t the least bit surprised to find she wanted to use it to reach across the table and give him a kiss right on the lips.