The Geek Who Saved Christmas

by Annabeth Albert

“I’m planning to make sure of it.” He winked at me before we both headed up the stairs. Stopping in his open doorway, I let out a delighted gasp at how the room was transformed. “Ooh, it’s so big.” “Flattery gets you everywhere, but I haven’t even undressed yet.” Paul bent to kiss the back of my neck. Plucking the cake out of my hands, he set it on the nightstand along with the supplies. “Hush. Let me properly admire your bed.” I walked around it slowly, petting the fuzzy blanket and moose sheets before I added my glasses to the collection on the nightstand. They had a tendency to go missing with Paul around, and I didn’t want to have to hunt them later. “You even put the new bedding on.” “Figured I might as well.” That he blushed over having prepared the bed was the cutest thing ever and made my chest as soft and warm as the new blanket. “I like it,” I pronounced as he peeled back the covers. “I like you.” Standing next to me, he kissed me tenderly and so carefully that I had to work to avoid swooning like a Victorian virgin. My chest felt more light and fizzy than a bottle of New Year’s Eve bubbly. This wasn’t my first time, but Paul had a way of making everything seem brand-new again.