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

“Thank you,” Trey said, giving Marty a swift hug. “They’ll go on my bookshelf, since I don’t have a fireplace with a mantel.” He chuckled. “Or without one.”


They continued wandering, checking out other booths. Marty stopped at one, eyeing a blown-glass Santa dressed in Mardi Gras colors. “I saw one like this when I was in New Orleans a couple of years ago and almost bought it.”


Marty shrugged. “I’d already spent more than I should have.”


“Then it’s yours, and do notargue. Consider it tit-for-tat.” Trey corralled the guy running the booth, pointed to the ornament, and asked him to box it up. He did, Trey paid for it, and then handed it to Marty, saying, “Merry Christmas.”


“No.” Marty grinned. “Say the dreaded words.”


Chapter 16