Dear Santa, It’s just a date. I can do this. Right…?

“What are you looking at?” Aidan glanced over his shoulder as his business partner, Matt, passed behind his desk. Then he looked back at his screen. He’d been researching events around Los Angeles all morning.

“Gotta date coming up. I volunteered to plan it.”

“What kind of date? A bang ’em and bounce date, or a real date?” Matt flopped down in his chair and let it skid backwards a few feet across the hardwood floor. They were alone in their office. As usual. They were the only full-time employees. Aidan watched as Matt stopped his backward progression with the heels of his sneakers, then started spinning himself slowly around in the chair. One day their company, PrimedRealty.com, would expand and they’d have to act like mature adults in front of what Aidan hoped turned out to be many future employees. For now, he turned down the music they were blasting so he could hear Matt a little better.

“Real date. Met her on MATCHED. Actually, that’s not true. We used to work together and I ran into her again on MATCHED. I'm gotta find someplace nice to take her.”

“Got a picture?”

“Yeah.” As Matt scooted his chair back to their desks, Aidan picked up his phone and brought up his Facebook account. He wouldn't admit it, but he'd spent most of his night and part of his morning looking at Shae’s pictures on her Facebook profile. When she popped up in his MATCHED feed, he admittedly swiped on her out of curiosity. He’d always had a bit of a crush on her. At first for juvenile reasons.

Shae had the body of an old school pin up—large breasts, large hips and an ass to match. She wore a dress to work every day and no matter how she switched up her look, she always managed to pull off this vibe that was a mix between comfortable, classy and sexy as fuck, while still professional. And then there was the baking. Shae could bake her ass off and she baked all the time. Their CEO had approved a small budget that allowed Shae to bake for employee birthdays and most holidays. That’s how good she was in the kitchen.

As Aidan got to know her, he got to see that she was more than a body and baked goods. She was pretty damn thoughtful and considerate, and she had this great, upbeat personality. Once he found her crying in one of the back stairwells and when he asked if she was okay, she managed to make them both laugh. All that had turned his crush into legitimate attraction, but there was the small issue of her husband. Aidan had seen the guy once in the parking lot of their office building and now he was out of the picture. Pictures he’d been looking at all day.

Aidan remembered what had really sent him over to full crush territory—her smile. Every time he walked down to the payroll department to ask them a question or request paperwork for someone on his team, she’d always greeted him with a warm smile. He wasn’t sure if she was just a master of customer service or what, but after a few months and various company functions, he knew that upbeat demeanor was just Shae. A few times he may have told himself she only smiled like that for him. That was a lie. He wasn’t anyone special in her bright sunny, world. Now that they’d matched, though, maybe that would change.

“Oh.” Matt tilted his head to the side. “She’s hot. You ever date a black girl before? Not that you shouldn’t. I just—”

“Once in high school for ten minutes, the whole football player/cheerleader thing, but her dad made us break up so she could make honor roll.”

“Where’s that girl now?”

“Crystal? Pretty sure she’s a research scientist.”

“Good call on the dad’s part. Good luck with this one.” Matt laughed as he handed back the phone.

“What?”

“Nothing. From the looks of her profile, she has her shit together and she’s good looking. I know nothing about her, but I’m pretty sure she’s too good for you.”

“You are probably right.” Aidan felt himself swallow as he looked at his phone as Matt rolled back to his desk. He knew he had some pretty good qualities to bring to the table. Still, this was kind of the girl of his dreams.

“What does this one do? What’s her name?”

“Her name’s Shae. And she’s a baker now. She owns Sweet Creams over—”

“That bakery, by Platform!?”

“I don’t know. Is that bakery called Sweet Creams over by Platform?” The block of new construction was only five years old, but had just started bringing in a lot of business in the last year, or so Matt had told him. Aidan never went over there because parking was bullshit, but there was some Korean BBQ /Mexican fusion place over there another buddy of his swore by.

“Fuck yeah, there’s a bakery over there called Sweet Creams! Dude. I don’t give a fuck what people say about Confettis. That place tastes like dog crap compared to Sweet Creams.” Matt jumped out of his chair and started putting on his jacket. “Let’s go over there now.”

“What? No. Sit down. I’m not going over there.”

“Fine. I’ll go without you. It’s almost lunch time, and Adam and Chelsea won’t be reporting back on their mission to Tarzana for at least another three hours.” Matt had a point. They ran out to get lunch all the time. They could stop by the Korean spot and get some food, and then stop in and say hello to Shae. “We’re going to her place of business to purchase items she sells. We’re not sneaking into her sorority house.”

“Alright fine.” Aidan stood and grabbed his own plaid bomber jacket. “But you’re driving.”

Sweet Creams was packed. The space wasn't all that big, just a few tables, the display cases, a table off to the side with cream and sugar and napkins, and the cash register. The tables were all taken, though and there was a line zigzagging in front of the cases of desserts. Christmas music was playing through the speakers above the door. It was only the second full week of December.

Aidan usually settled into the spirit of the holiday season sometime around eleven forty-five p.m. on December twenty-fourth, but Aidan didn’t mind the festive jams at the moment. It was fitting for the whole scene. Nothing said rich sweets like Santa Baby.

“What can I get for you guys?” one of the girls behind the counter asked.

“We’re going to get two of everything. Shit. Give me one more second,” Matt replied.

The girl laughed like she knew what kind of dilemma Matt was going through, then turned her attention to Aidan. “And for you?”

“Uh—” He jerked back as Matt elbowed him in the stomach. “Um, is Shae in?”

“Oh. Yeah. She’s in the back. And you are?” the girl asked.

“Oh, sorry. Totally understand if she’s busy.”

“Tell her Aidan Meyer is here. They have a date this week,” Matt said in a loud as fuck stage whisper. A bit of pink flashed up the girl’s light brown cheeks as she chuckled a bit.

“She doesn’t have to come out here. I just wanted to say hello,” Aidan said, trying to wave her off, but she was already backing toward the swinging door to the kitchen. She held up her finger to the customers behind them, flashing the “I’ll be right back” nod, then disappeared.

“Fuck.” Aidan ran his fingers through his hair, then shoved his hands in his pockets. This was a big mistake.

“Relax and pick out a cupcake.”

“You fucking relax,” Aidan grumbled. A moment later, the girl came back through the door.

“She’ll be right out. She’s just rinsing her hands.”

“Thanks,” Aidan replied. He tried to focus on the desserts in front of him and not the sense of doom that was making his heart pound behind his ears.

“You have to try the salted caramel cupcakes. They—” Matt was still talking, but Aidan wasn’t listening. The door to the kitchen opened and out walked Shae. She looked better than Aidan remembered. It was definitely the smile. Her long curls were piled on top of her head and she was wearing a pink apron splattered with frosting and flour. Still, she looked like a million bucks.

“Hi!” she said cheerfully. “Did I miss a MATCHED message or does our date start now?” she laughed, but Aidan could hear the nerves in her voice. He’d fucked up.

“I’m sorry. It—”

“I made him come. I’m Matt,” his asshole friend said, reaching his hand over the top of the display case. Shae laughed and shook Matt’s hand.

“Nice to meet you, Matt. I’m Shae. Welcome to Sweet Creams.”

“Oh, I’m all about Sweet Creams. I Postmates you guys at least once a week.”

“Oh, you’re that Matt. Nice to put a face to a name. You’re quite the loyal customer.” Aidan’s eyes roamed Shae’s gorgeous face as her full lips turned down in an impressed smirk. Okay, maybe he didn’t regret coming to see her. Unfortunately Matt would not stop talking.

“He was planning your date in the office while he should have been working.”

“You were?” Her eyes narrowed in shock. “And now you’re here.”

“We’re on lunch,” Aidan said with a shrug. “And this seemed like a nice small business to support.”

“Well, we appreciate it. Matt, you want to pick out a few cupcakes, on the house of course, while Aidan and I step outside for a second?”

“Deal,” Matt said, licking his lips like an addict about to get his hands on the best crank he’d ever had in his whole life. Aidan followed Shae down the length of the counter, weaving through patient customers, then waited by the door as Shae came around the cash register.

“Come on,” she said, walking out the door. Aidan followed her outside and around the corner. There were a few benches, but they were all taken. Instead they sat down on the concrete ledge near the steps that led out to the street.

“Good thing it’s cool out today. That heat was killing me. So how are you?” Shae crossed her thick thighs and turned toward him. She rested her chin in her hand and flashed him the sexiest smile.

“I’m sorry about this. I know you were trying to work—trying to run a business. We shouldn’t have shown up like that.”

“No! It’s totally fine. I was actually kind of having a weird day. I didn’t sleep well last night. I was up late thinking about this guy.”

That caught Aidan off guard. He didn’t remember Shae being such a bold flirt. It was pretty hot. Aidan managed not to trip over his tongue when he responded. “I see. Thinking good thoughts, I hope.”

“They were good thoughts, but like, nervous thoughts.”

“What kind of nervous thoughts?”

“Oh, just the usual. I wonder if he’ll like me. I wonder if I’ll like him.”

“I think at least one of those things you won’t have to worry about. I just left my office in the middle of the day to get cupcakes for lunch.”

“That’s true. So you were researching our date? Come to any decisions yet?”

“Along with every single tourist trap in LA and Orange County, the internet encouraged couples to check out the tree lighting at the Grove and Universal City walk.”

“Mhmm, go on.”

“We could also hit the Petersen Automotive Museum.”

“Are you into cars?”

“Not at all.”

“Okay,” Shae snorted, then covered her mouth to hide the sound. She didn’t need to though. It was anything but a turn off. “I need a Christmas tree. I’ve kinda dropped the ball on the holidays the last couple of years.”

“Seems pretty Christmasy inside your store. Didn’t I catch candy cane shaped cookies for sale?”

“Maybe?” Shae scrunched up her nose in this adorable sign of guilt and Aidan almost leaned over and kissed her. “I’m dropping the ball at home though. Do you want to get a tree with me? And then maybe we can wander around Target because I have no Christmas decorations to put on the tree? Or does that sound like a horrible date?”

“That sounds like a great date,” Aidan replied. And he meant it. “When do you want to go?”

“Do you have plans tonight? Or is that way too soon?”

“No. I’m free. I usually leave the office around five.”

“Oh, perfect. I usually leave around four. That’ll give me plenty of time to go home and change.”

They swapped cell numbers and decided that Aidan would swing by her house and pick her up at six-thirty. She assured him that Home Depot was actually the best place to get a tree and not a Christmas tree lot. After they hit Home Depot and Target, they’d find some place to get takeout.

“This sounds like a pretty solid plan,” Shae said with a smile. Aidan definitely wanted to kiss her. “Let me get back inside. I have some stuff to finish before my big date with this cute guy tonight.”

“I should go stop Matt from annoying the shit out of everyone in your store.” Aidan stood. “After you.”

“Thanks.”

They walked back into the shop and Aidan found Matt standing in the corner with two boxes big enough to carry a dozen cupcakes each.

“Oh you’re all set up, aren’t you?” Shae asked as she made her way back behind the counter.

“These should last me the ride home.”

“Anything for you?” Shae asked Aidan.

“Are these all for you?!” Aidan asked Matt.

“Uh, yeah. I told you. This is my spot. These should last me through the weekend. And I didn’t get all this on the house. I paid for them.”

“I told you. He’s that Matt,” Shae insisted. “Would you like anything, Aidan? It will be on the house since Matt just paid my rent.”

“Actually, I was hoping you would have that layered cake crunch thing you made for the office.”

“Oh, the caramel brown trifle! Yeah, I don’t make that here, for sale. I can make that...later.” There was a little bit of hopeful suggestion They were talking about desserts and Aidan was definitely getting a hard on.

“We can do that.”

“Okay. Well I'll see you tonight. Matt, share at least one cupcake with him.”

“Yeah, sure. Okay.”

“I'll talk to you later,” Aidan said as he held the door open for Matt. Their first date was still hours away, but Aidan was determined not to blow it. He wanted to get closer to Shae.

Aidan was late picking up Shae. He had a real excuse. A call with one of their investors had run late. He thought he had enough time to go back to his place, shower and change, but construction on the way to Shae’s sent him on a nice detour that put him in the center of a shitload of rush hour traffic. Luckily she wasn’t finished getting dressed when he got to her place. Shae opened the door in a robe with her hair up in this silk shower cap. After she let him in, she tasked Aidan with finding a new place for them to grab takeout when they came back from their Christmas tree mission.

Shae’s apartment was small, but he was impressed by how put together it was. Her place looked like a showroom, fully furnished with real adult furniture. Pieces that Aidan had never really considered owning, like a wall clock. She had real plants that she managed to keep alive and pictures of her family hanging on the walls along with other pieces of real art. Aidan’s sister had helped him get his place somewhat in order, but Shae’s place felt like a home.

When Shae finally emerged from her bedroom Aidan was tempted to ask her if they could kick off their date in her bedroom. She was wearing a simple button down striped shirt that fell to her thighs, a pair of tight black pants and some boots, and it made her body look amazing. He managed to keep his sexual propositions to himself though and they headed out to Home Depot.

Shae was right. Aidan had been to some shitty Christmas tree lots, but Home Depot had some prime cuts of Douglas fir. Aidan got to show off a bit, hoisting a large tree up and strapping it to the roof of his car on his own. When he finished his exhibition of full body strength, they headed over to Target, which was oddly packed.

He followed Shae as she weaved through the aisles with the cart. She apologized for grabbing more than Christmas decorations.

“I’ve been so busy, I figured I should grab a few things while we’re here. You don’t mind, do you?”

“Don’t mind at all. Here.” Aidan grabbed the closest item as they made their way toward the back of the store and tossed it into the cart. “I was running low on Centrum Silver.”

“That two pack should last you at least a few days.”

“Two max,” Aidan joked. “I like my vitamins.

They were in Target for over an hour, and Aidan realized as they finally reached the Christmas section that he was having a great time. In the back of his mind, he knew there was a chance his memories of Shae had been clouded by his intense physical attraction to her and her baking skills.

Shae was still as sweet as he remembered, but he hadn’t seen this funny as fuck or flirty side of her before. Probably because they’d only known each other at work. And she’d been married. As she schooled him in cheat codes for finding her way around any Target, no matter the lay out, he realized he definitely wanted this date to go on.

They bought a small fortune’s worth of ornaments and decorations, including two different holiday wreaths. “I just like to have options,” Shae said with this cute smile. “I like to switch it up.” Before they headed back to her place, stopping to pick up Indian food on the way. After they secured the tree in its brand new stand, Shae led Aidan over to her couch.

“We’ll eat and then we can decorate, if you want to.” Shae said as she passed the naan over to him. “You’ve already put in a lot of manual labor tonight.”

“Nah, I can help. Especially with getting the lights up to the top. That’s always a two-person job. Also I don’t think tapping out this early in the night will bode well for my chances at a date number two.”

“Oh, are the kids fucking after two dates now?” she said, laughing. Aidan choked more than laughed, but managed to clear the rice he’d just swallowed from his wind pipe before he really started coughing.

“You know us Millennials. Always coming up with their own rules. You’re a Millennial too right?” Aidan had heard the phrase “Black Don’t Crack” and he suddenly realized he had no clue how old Shae was. She didn’t look much older than twenty-four, but she carried herself with a certain maturity. He had no clue.

“Yeah, we’re the same age. I’m thirty-two.”

“How’d you—”

“I had to process your payroll, remember? Not in a creepy way, but I just noticed that we were the same age. Once. A long time ago.”

“It’s okay to say you were stalking me, Shae. I won’t hold it against you.”

“Yeah, thanks.” God, her smile was infectious. Aidan could still feel his own smile lingering as Shae cleared her throat and sobered her expression. “Okay. I want to know. Why are you single? You had a girlfriend when we were working together right?”

“Part of the time. We broke up about a year ago.”

“What happened there? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“Classic ‘we just grew apart’ thing,” Aidan replied with a shrug. “How about you?”

“Okay. I’m going to overshare, ’cause why the hell not. Better to get it all out there, right? And then you can run for the hills when you see my baggage usually arrives via cargo plane.”

“Nah, I’m not running anywhere. Unless your ex-husband is obsessed with you and well armed. Then I might power walk in the other direction.”

“I wouldn’t blame you if that was the case. No. Um…” Shae paused and started moving her rice around her plate. “It was kid stuff actually—fertility stuff. Are you sure you want to hear all this? It’s not pretty, first date chatter.”

“Not if you don’t want to talk about it. I’m not trying to make you upset.”

She waved him off. “No, I’m fine. Okay, so he has this huge family. He’s one of six, both his parents have a ton of brothers and sisters and all his siblings are working on their, like, third and fourth kids now. We started trying and trying and trying and trying, but of course I wasn’t getting pregnant. I asked him if he wanted to go get checked out together and then we could check out our options.”

“There’s always adoption too.”

“Exactly. I suggested that too, but he wasn’t having it. I went to go get checked out on my own and my doctors told me I was completely fine.”

“It was him.”

Shae nodded, pursing her lips. “Pretty sure. We got into an argument about it and he said something I don’t want to repeat because that will make me upset. Things kinda fell apart after that and I knew I would be happier on my own.”

“That sucks. I’m sorry that, you know...”

“Thank you. It was for the best. I’m—things aren’t perfect, but I’m definitely happier now. Also, I quit Allight. That place fucking sucked.”

Aidan let out a burst of laughter. “It was a pretty shitty place to work. And now you just need to find the right guy.”

“Uh huh. Scouring the world of dating apps to find Mr. Right.”

“And what does Mr. Right look like to you?” Aidan didn’t know what made him ask, but the second the words left his mouth he realized he really wanted to know if he had a chance.

“He’s about six-two, with red hair and glasses, pretty buff.”

“So you’re saying we don’t even have to wait until the second date.”

Shae laughed some more and reached for her glass of water. “Okay, I’ll give you the real wish list that’s in my head.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“I want someone I can have fun with. I want someone who wants to go on adventures with me. Like midnight runs to In-N-Out adventures and spur of the moment road trip adventures to Vegas.”

“Seems reasonable.”

“I want someone I can send nudes to,” she said, scrunching up her nose like she’d confessed her darkest secret. “I’ve never sent a nude before.”

“Hmm. Neither have I, now that I think of it.”

“What about you? What does Mrs. Right look like to you?”

“She can bake her ass off, for starters,” Aidan said, his chest warming at the sound of Shae’s laugh. He couldn’t get enough of it.

“Fine baked goods are a must. What else?”

“Someone who wants to send me nudes,” Aidan heard himself say. He immediately wanted to tell Shae he was joking, but he wasn’t.