Single and Ready to Jingle

by Piper Rayne

“Hey, I’m single and ready to jingle.” She wiggles in her seat, making the bells ring.

Me being attracted to Andrew would be akin to Mrs. Claus having an affair with the Grinch.

I always forget about his accent when we’re apart, so upon first hearing it again today, it feels like warm honey being poured over my body.

I like the sound of my name when he says it with his accent. Probably a little too much.

Turns out Rockettes aren’t that bad when I watch them through Kenzie’s eyes.

“You know, for a real grump, you’re quite chivalrous.”

“The practice came about because way back, people would throw their waste from the chamber pot straight out the window. This way, men were much more likely to be covered in shit than the woman.”

I frown and look down at my shirt with a cartoon turkey on it that says, “You only like me for my breasts.”

“MacKenzie, you couldn’t look bad if you tried. You always look stunning, poultry shirt or not.”

We’re all seated at the dinner table, enjoying the catered meal, and I notice the way they inquire and show interest in Finn’s life and job but ask very few questions of Kenzie. And when Kenzie’s around them, she’s different. Her light dimmed as though she was the sun and someone hung blackout drapes over her.

I steal a glance at Kenzie and gone is the anxiety from earlier, replaced with a huge smile and a twinkle in her eye.

When she’s a few meters away, she spots me, and her smile grows even wider. Heat blooms in my chest because there’s no way a woman like Kenzie can give you the full power of her smile and it not affect you.

Watching what is normally a confident, capable, hot-as-hell man struggle to stay upright on the ice has to be God’s way of evening the playing field for the rest of us.

“You already know how I felt growing up. The time I spent at my grandparents’ house was some of the happiest of my life. I always felt safe and accepted and loved there.”

I’ve crossed a line I can’t come back from. I know it, but it’s hard to feel guilty about it when she looks at me as if I’m her world.

But none of them makes me feel anything more than being with Kenzie already does. My heart has been kick-started, it just has nothing to do with Christmas.

It’s official—I’m a goner. I’m a total simp for this woman. At this point, I’d probably enter a gingerbread-house-making competition and dress up as Santa if she asked me to.

I think what she realized before me was that things were easy because neither of us had that ‘I have to have you or I’ll die’ feeling for the other. And I think that’s what you need to make it through the tough times. Otherwise, you’ll just dust your hands off and let the relationship go when things get tough.”

“Oh god… I can’t… I can’t again,” I pant. I’ve never come three times with a man all in one session. My body feels as if it’s a wet towel that’s been wrung dry.

“I thought you might approve of this elf costume more than you did the one I wore on our first date.”

It feels good to have someone to put you first and who won’t let you down.

It’s then I realize that I’m wholly in love with this man—body and soul.

Having someone to share it with. And having someone in my life I love so much that her joy brings me greater joy.”

“Will you do me the greatest honor of my life and agree to become my wife? I cannot imagine my life without you in it, and I refuse to celebrate any more Christmases without you by my side.”

“I had to prove to you that I’d do anything for you. Even face my greatest fear.”

“Quite the year for you. First an engagement, then you made partner, and now you’re getting married. What will be next?”