Casey Mackenzie unexpectedly finds himself in need of a “boyfriend” for his Thanksgiving dinner. For several months, Casey has been putting off family questions and invites with talk of his boyfriend “George.” Only now they actually expect to meet George at the holiday dinner. George Accardo is Casey’s sexy neighbor who also happens to be an actor Casey once had a rather drunken rendezvous with. Casey has avoided George ever since. Until now. Casey offers George fifty bucks to pretend to be his boyfriend for the duration of the Thanksgiving dinner. George has been intrigued by Casey since their first meeting but gave him space when Casey freaked. He accepts the job, though Casey assures him they will “break up” before Christmas. Casey finds himself still charmed by George as Christmas approaches. Can George convince Casey he’s the gift he’s been hoping for before the holiday arrives?

The Gift of Casey

“Bulbs or character ornaments?” Casey asked George as they stared at the assortment of decorations at the department store.


“I already have a couple of boxes of round balls. So maybe a mixture of others?”


George frowned. “Isn’t Christmas the theme?”


Casey laughed. “Sure. But I mean, like all red. Or all green. Or all red and green. All superhero. All Harry Potter.”


George raised a brow. “Harry Potter?”


“Or whatever.” Casey grinned. Who would have thought he’d enjoy shopping on Black Friday? “Cutesy or elegant. Pretty or—”


“I just want a mixture. Just pick some, for heaven’s sake. It shouldn’t be this complicated.” George grabbed a box of glittery purple glass icicles.


“Whoa. You want glitter all over your house?”


George stared at them. “I don’t?”


“Maybe you do. But if you don’t want purple glitter all over Abraham’s fur, you’d better think twice.”


Chapter 9