Chapter 3

"Ignatius!I need you in my office right now," Susan bellows, nearly causing me to jump out of my skin.

"Be right there!" I call back, grabbing the bank bag and slamming the register shut. Fuck, she nearly made me piss my pants when she shouted across the store like it was a playground or something. I thought I was one of the last ones here tonight. What in the world does she want now? Lord knows it can"t be anything good. It"s Susan

Stepping into the main office, I hurry to the safe, type in the code, and toss the bank bag in. After making sure it's locked tight, I blow out a deep breath and head to the door on the right—Susan's office. I can already smell tuna fish and her musky old lady perfume seeping out from under her door.

"Hey, Susan. You wanted to see me?" I give her a fake smile as I step inside. From the corner of my eye, I make sure that my chair moves just enough so the door can't close behind me. Not only do I not want to be in the room alone with her because she gives me just a bad vibe all around, but her office could use a good airing out or a Febreze shower.

"Yes. Why did you leave your department for almost two hours today? The men's department is not where you belong. So, would you like to explain why you spent most of the afternoon there?"

I hold back from rolling my eyes. What does she want me to say? Her fucking daughter sent me to menswear and when I asked she said ‘Mommy told me so'. Okay, maybe not those exact words, but close enough. "Nancy came and got me so she could go on her break. She said you approved of me going to menswear and Quinn to kids."

"I know that, Ignatius. Of course, I approved of her break and you covering. However, her break is only thirty minutes, and you were in men"s for…" she pauses, grabbing a paper from her desk before her beady eyes are back on me. "One hour and forty-three minutes."

"Oh. While I was covering, a customer came in and required help to find jeans for an event. So I helped him, rang him out, and then went straight back to my department," I tell her, relieved that I can explain my actions. Customers are always right and always come first. That"s Howards' way, so she can't get too worked up.

"Why didn't you hand him off to Nancy when she returned? Instead, not only did you leave Quinn in a department she is clueless in, but you also took a sale from Nancy. It's my understanding it was a rather large sale, which means a nice commission." She looks at her paper once more. "An over one hundred dollar commission. On top of what you make an hour in kids and your three percent per hour over there. Does that seem fair to you?"

"Umm. Yes? I was the one who helped him find all the jeans and rang him out. Also, Nancy never made me aware that she was back, so I just continued to help him. If she wanted to step in, she could have approached us." I'm so sick of her and Nancy's shit. Why Roman Howard continues to employ the two of them, I have no idea. But every six months when Susan's review comes up, we all pray for her to get canned.

No matter. I'm on my way out of here, hopefully. On my lunch break, after I helped Steel—which is still a crazy name for a guy, but it's also kinda fucking sexy—I applied for the Philanthropy Manager position. I have everything crossed; mind, fingers, toes, even my damn eyeballs.

"You think Nancy needs to track you down like some sort of coon hound? To what? Tell you how to do your job? How to have manners? I'm tempted to write you up for this act of total disregard for your fellow associates."

"That's your prerogative, Susan," I murmur, watching as she pulls Tupperware from her desk and puts it in her bag.

"You got that right, it is my prerogative. I'm going to take the high road and not write you up. But your shirt is a different story. How many times must I tell you that you cannot be so over the top during the Christmas season?" She pulls the main offender of the air quality out—tuna casserole with broccoli and sauerkraut—and shoves it in her bag.

I swear to God, if Scrooge and the Grinch were to have a baby, Susan would be it. It's a department store, for Christ's sake. "Well, Susan, as you know, today is officially the day that the handbook states I can get as festive as I want until after the new year. So you could write me up, but I'd go above you and have it expunged."

Her face morphs from fake pleasantries to pure rage. Her eyes narrow at me and she takes a deep, harrowing breath. "I suppose you're right. But you should watch how you talk to your superiors, Ignatius. I'd hate for you to get a bad recommendation for that position you applied for."

My stomach sinks at her words. How the hell does she know about that already? She's only the retail manager for the store. I'll be damned if she prevents me from moving up the ladder and forces me to a life of selling Polly Pockets and Legos.

"Is that all, Susan?" I grind out through clenched teeth.

"Yes, that is all. You may go."

I stand from my chair and hurry from the room. I refuse to stay in that bitch's presence any longer than necessary.

She turned a perfectly good shift and day into shit in a matter of thirty minutes. I had plans to go home, curl up on my couch and watch the new Hallmark Christmas movie that premieres tonight, but I'm not in the mood. Good thing I have it set to record on the DVR.

No. I know what I need. A good old-fashioned night out. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I text my best friend.

Me- Hey! What are you up to right this minute?

Draco- Nothing, why what's up?

Me- Shitty day at work. Wanna hit Slick's and get drunk?

Draco- Dude, it's a Thursday.

Me- So? When did you become a pussy?

Draco- Fine. Meet you there in thirty minutes.

Me- Love you! Byyyeeeee

As I tuck my phone back into my pocket and get into my car, I can"t wipe the grin off my face. I get in my car and turn the heat as high as it will go and wait for my window to defrost. Living in the Midwest is trash in the winter; I swear if I wasn't terrified of hurricanes or earthquakes, I'd move somewhere it was warm all year round.

The radio plays Vampire by Olivia Rodrigo, and I smirk at the fact I just survived a meeting with a bloodsucker myself. Once my window is clear enough, I put the car into reverse and back out of my parking spot, heading toward Slick"s.

A night out with my bestie is just what I need.

* * *

"You knowthat movie where the girl gets hit by a bus for being a cunt?" I slur and set my drink down on the bar.

"Mean Girls?" Draco asks, his brows raising at my random thought.

"That's the one! Susan and Nancy should take a page out of that movie. I hate them both. They"re creepy and give me major cat lady in the basement with a serious doll collection vibes."

My friend barks out a laugh as he raises his hand, waving the bartender over. "Can we get our tab?" He turns back to look at me. "So tell me about this hottie you helped at work today. I can't believe you gave him your phone number!"

My stomach flutters at just the thought of Steel. "He wasn't just hot. He was seriously sex on a stick. A sex-ka-bob!" I burst out laughing, only stopping when a hiccup frees itself from my throat. "Oh god, I drank too much," I whine. "I didn't give him my number for a hookup. He asked for it, so we could arrange a shopping trip thing he needs help with. It's a work connection, nothing more."

"Suuuure, whatever you say, Igg. Have you messaged him yet?" He purses his lips and quirks a brow.

"No. He texted me earlier, just a quick ‘It's Steel', but that's it. I"m working for the next few days. Plus, I don't even know if he's into men. My New Year"s resolution was to not flirt or fall for straight guys anymore.," I remind him.

"Yeah. I remember. I also remember you broke that resolution like four times."

"Rude! Well then, I made it my end-of-year declaration, and I've been good since September, so don't be mean," I pout.

"Well then, text Mister Kabob." He wags his brows at me. "And see what kind of vibe you get. The worst that can happen is he isn't interested and you just schedule a day to do the shopping. Easy way out."

"Fine!" I grab my phone from the bar and scroll to his contact I saved earlier.

Me- Hey it's Iggie from Howards

I watchas the bubbles pop up and disappear repeatedly before I sigh and set the phone down. "He's obviously thinking of a way to let me know this is business only. I have to pee. Be right back." I wobble a bit as I stand and make the trek to the bathroom.

After taking the piss I've been holding for ages now, not wanting to break the seal, I wash my hands and splash some water on my face. Get it together, Ignatius, one sexy biker boy won't have you losing your shit. You are a sexy, strong, independent man.

When I get back to my stool, Draco is giving me a mischievous look. Cocking my head to the side, I stare at him as I sit down. What is he up to?

"Don't be mad." He smiles.

"What did you do?"

"Well, the sex-ka-bob was taking too long, so I went ahead and just sent another text. You're welcome."

"You bastard. What did you say?" I grab my phone and hurry to unlock it.

Me- So tell me Steel. Do I make you horny, baby?

Dead,he's fucking dead. I'm going to murder my best friend. Then bring him back to murder him again. "You asshole," I hiss.

"Come on, the Austin Powers' line is a classic and a great way to break the ice." He cackles.

"I'll never be able to do the shopping assistant thing now. Fuck, Draco, you're an asshole." I drop my head to the bar with an audible thump.

"You know you love me. Now, let's get you home. I'm glad I took a Lyft, so I can drive your ass home." He helps me from my stool and grabs my elbow, leading me outside to the parking lot.

As soon as we're in the car and it's moving, I lean my head back and close my eyes, thinking about all the filthy things I'd let that motorcycle man do to me. While I come across as bubbly, innocent, and maybe a tad flamboyant on the outside, I love to be bossed around and degraded in the bedroom.

You'd never know that by looking at the pristine front and my serious obsession with the most cheerful holiday of the year, but even Santa has some kinks in his closet; I'm sure of it.

"We're here," Draco interrupts my filthy thoughts.

I push the door open and stumble out in the crisp night air. Luckily, Draco comes around the car, grabbing my elbow and helping me into my place. I gave him a key years ago and I'm thankful for it at this moment because I have no clue where my set is.

"I have them. It's how I drove the car home, babe."

"Shit. Did I think out loud?"

"Yeah, you did." He laughs. "Come on, let"s go. To the bed with you, mister." He escorts me to my room, where I promptly collapse into the bed. My eyes close instantly and I groan as the room spins. Reaching over, I put a hand on the nightstand to secure myself, and as I knew it would, the room stands still. Draco lifts each of my legs, removing my shoes before pulling my slacks gently down them.

"Nice briefs, Igg," he teases.

If I were sober and cared, I'd tell him to fuck right off, but I'm too tired and intoxicated to deal with him right now. Plus, who wouldn't want to wear gray briefs with cute little snowflakes all over with a waistband that says ‘Snow Cute'? It's practically a crime to not buy something so fun when you see it.

"Alright, babe. I put your phone on the nightstand, charging next to your glasses. Your keys will be on the kitchen counter, and I'll lock up when the Lyft gets here to take me home. Call me in the morning, so I know you didn't die in your sleep."

"Fuck you," I mumble.

"Love you, too!"

The bedroom goes dark, and I hear the door close. Dammit! Why did I take so many Christmas Cookie shots? Thankfully, tomorrow is my day off.

* * *

I wakethe next day with a pounding ass headache and my mouth is drier than the Sahara. Blindly, I fumble around the nightstand for my glasses and slide them on. I unlock my phone and squint at the bright screen. Fuck, it"s almost noon already.

With a sigh, I roll out of bed and stumble to the bathroom. I seriously need to brush my teeth.

Swishing some water in my mouth, I spit and drop my toothbrush back in its holder before trudging back to my room to throw on some black joggers. I find an oversized hoodie and remove my Santa shirt, slipping into it. This will have to do. I"m not doing anything but lounging around today and watching Christmas movies, anyway.

I flop onto the couch with a humph and turn the TV on, flipping to my saved recordings. A Royal Christmas is the first one on my list. I hit play and lay my head back, pulling a blanket over me off the back of the couch. My stomach decides to growl at that moment and I groan. I"m way too lazy to cook right now. Oh, I know. I"ve been wanting to try that new place Lung Fung so ordering it is. Slipping my phone from my pocket, I pull up the Grubhub app.

Thirty minutes later, I'm wrapped back in a blanket on my couch eating Chinese food, living my best life. Stephen Hagan and Lacey Chabert are wrapped in each other's arms, kissing passionately, and I feel myself deflate a bit.

Why can't I have that? Someone to love me unconditionally. Without time, distance, or anything getting in the way. A handsome, strong hunk to come home to every night—shit, they could come home to me. My phone beeps, interrupting my pity party.

Steel- Horny, huh? Are we asking for real or just quoting ridiculous movies?

Oh my god!I forgot my asshole bestie sent that text last night. What do I say back? Fucking hell.