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

“Since I don’t have costumes for them, that would be a no.”


They got to work changing out the window, stopping twice to take care of customers. By the time they finished, it was noon. Carol went to the break room, returning wearing her boots and coat.


“You have a great Christmas,” she said, hugging Trey, and then Marty. “Don’t do anything I won’t approve of.”


Trey rolled his eyes. “I have the feeling that encompasses nothing. You have a good day, too. I’ll see you Thursday morning.”


“You bet.” She switched the sign on the door to ‘Closed’ on her way out, something Trey had forgotten about.


“Let me do the books, then I’ll take you home,” Trey told Marty.


“With only three rentals, that should take all of ten minutes.”


“I know, but it has to be done.” While Trey was tallying the receipts and entering everything on the spreadsheet on his computer, Marty got their coats and turned off all the lights except in the front office.


Chapter 15