Chapter 52

“John…” Tim sighs. “Thanks for rescuing me. Some dumbass put fuckin’ mistletoe on the balcony and Claude kissed me before I even knew what was happening. Then his hands started to wander. I’ve been trying to avoid him all night and came out here for some fresh air, not knowing he followed me until it was too late.”

Straightening his long-sleeved, burgundy shirt, Tim checks his cuffs and runs his hands through his hair, trying to restore some sort of order to his appearance.

“It’s the least I could do. No one should be forced to do anything against their will,” I state. I take another sip of punch. “Seems you’re not a fan of mistletoe. I take it you’re not really a fan of Christmas, either?”

“No, I’m not. My asshole boyfriend left me last year on Christmas Eve, so all the holidays do now is annoy me.”

Wait…Tim’s gay? How could I not know this?

“And I thought I was the only one,” I murmur.