Dylan Hughes owns a small bakery. He's doing what he loves and business is good, but he's lonely. After a bad relationship, he's been keeping to himself, and things are worse during the Christmas season. Then there is his unrequited crush on Aaron Tyler. Aaron is a successful event planner. He and Dylan met more than two years earlier and, after tasting Dylan's baking, Aaron proposed a collaboration. They've worked together ever since. Not willing to risk their friendship, Dylan has kept his feelings under wraps. But a secret admirer begins to send Dylan thoughtful gifts twelve days before Christmas. The cute, clever gifts keep on coming and he's flattered, but they couldn't have come at a worse time. Aaron has finally asked him out. What happens when the secret admirer’s identity is revealed on Christmas Day? Will Dylan's blossoming relationship with Aaron survive?

Twelve Gifts

Aaron winked at him and he held his breath when the door was opened. He gasped loudly. There were two more framed photographs in the room. The first one showed the twelve band members and the second one was of the eleven flutists.


His words had died in his throat when he saw a partridge in a pear tree. The whole thing was made of glass. The familiar envelope had been placed next to it. He approached it with shaking hands. He pulled out the postcard for the last time, barely looking at the caricature of a partridge in a pear tree.


I hope you’ll grant me my deepest wish this year,


He turned around to look at his lover. Aaron’s hand was stretched out in front of him. There was a bunch of keys on his palm.


“I have a hard time falling asleep after that first night that we spent together. I want you to move in with me. Please.”


Chapter 14