Trey hates Christmas with a passion. Despite the fact he needs to deal with it because he owns a costume shop, it is an anathema to him because he broke up with his lover on Christmas Day three years ago. Marty is a bartender at the local bar Trey goes to sometimes to unwind after a hectic day. He's more than a bit interested in Trey, but doesn't know how to let him know, especially since he'd never told Trey he's gay, too. When Trey tells Marty he's suddenly shorthanded, with a week to go until Christmas, Marty jumps on the chance to get to know him better by volunteering to assist at the shop. Can Marty help Trey overcome his Christmas phobia? More to the point, can Trey accept that Marty is interested in him not only as a friend, but on a more personal level?

The Seven Days of Christmas

“It keeps you off the streets and out of the bars,” Marty replied.


“I’m glad. I’d miss your smiling face if you decided to go somewhere else,” Marty said quietly, his expression open and guileless as he looked directly at Trey.


Trey gulped, sensing there was more to his words than that. “I like it here,” he replied softly. “The bartender is, umm, great eye candy, to quote Carol.”


Marty laughed. “I think she said a hunk of eye candy. Not that I am. I’m your average, everyday male.” He shook his head when a woman at the far end of the bar called his name. “Here we go, again. I’ll be back.”


“You’re beginning to sound like the Terminator.”


Grinning, Marty went to see what she wanted.


Marty glanced Trey as he dealt with the woman’s order, and then those for two other customers. Am I, maybe, getting through to him that I like him as more than a friend? It’s hard, since we can only talk for a couple of minutes before I have to take care of other customers.


Chapter 8