Falling for My Brother's Best Friend

CHAPTER SEVEN

Riley.

When we left the house, Alec didn’t seem very happy. I couldn't tell if it was because he didn’t want to go to this event but felt forced to, or if something else had happened that I wasn’t aware of.

As he drove, one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the gear stick, I tried to read his expression, but it remained completely neutral.

An overwhelming urge to ask if he was okay overcame me, but I held back. I wasn’t his friend; I was just doing him a favor, and I doubted he would tell me either way.

At least I knew it wasn’t anything I had done—after all, I had spent the last couple of hours getting ready. Once I was done, we met downstairs.

The dress I bought fit me like a glove. Its skirt had white, puffy fabric underneath the red layer, giving it some volume. I paired it with red stockings, red heels, and, of course, I couldn’t forget the Santa hat with a little bell on it.

Did I overdo it? Maybe, but that’s just who I am; everyone knows I’m over the top—even the man sitting next to me. Surprisingly, it didn’t seem to bother him.

Speaking of which, he was wearing the red suit he had sworn he wouldn’t. Maybe he did it to make me happy, or perhaps—just maybe—it’s because he actually likes it. However, we would never know for sure.

The drive was silent, except for the faint sound of Christmas songs playing on the radio, despite it only being November. It remained that way for quite some time until we finally pulled up to a building with white panels and large windows that stretched from the ground floor to the top.

As I looked at the windows, I noticed that the very top one had no decorations, while all the others did. Turning to Alec, I found him staring at me. “Don’t leave my side. If I have to speak with someone, you will stay with me. If it’s a private matter, you will stay where I can see you.”

I thought I must be hearing things because I could have sworn he just told me what to do. “Excuse me?”

He let out a breath and leaned forward, his breath fanning my face and filling my nose with the smell of mint and a hint of something herbal. “I don’t know who’s in here tonight, little mouse, and you’re my responsibility. It’s not just me who has brought a plus one, so please stay where I can see you. If something were to happen and I didn’t know where you were and couldn’t protect you, your brother would take my balls, and I would like to keep my balls.”

I hadn’t had anyone try to protect me before, apart from my father and brother, so now I felt like an i***t for taking his words the wrong way. I lowered my head to hide my reddening cheeks. “Okay.”

Once I gave him my word, he stepped out of the car, came to my side, and extended his hand, acting like a true gentleman.

As soon as we stepped inside the office building, I noticed the numerous lights hanging from the ceiling. Whoever put them up surely wasn’t afraid of heights; it must have taken them hours to finish.

However, I didn’t have time to enjoy the decorations because he quickly dragged me to the elevator and pressed the button for the 9th floor. I wondered what they used that space for—offices or a staff room.

It didn’t take long for me to find out. I gasped in surprise when I saw a tree ten times the size of the one we had at home, mistletoe hanging from several spots on the ceiling, and Santa Claus sitting in a chair in the corner of the room, flanked by two elves. Along the walls, decorations proclaimed “Merry Christmas,” “Let It Snow,” and “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.”

To the right, there were tables filled with food for us to enjoy if we got peckish, and in the middle of the room was a bar where a man and a woman stood ready to serve. I wondered how long it had taken them to set this up.

The room is filled with people I’ve never seen before, except for one person who is approaching me with a wide smile on his face. “Miss Taylor, it’s nice to see you again!”

I look at Alec. I knew they were friends, but I didn’t realize he would be here. “He works for me, little mouse. He’s in my law department,” he explains.

Oh, that makes sense. “It’s nice to see you too, Mike,” I reply.

“I didn’t expect this one,” Mike says, pointing a finger at Alec. “He says he’ll come and then cancels at the last minute.”

“That’s because it’s boring as hell! Who wants to stand and mingle with people they work with all day? Besides, I’m the boss. I own this company; I shouldn’t have to come,” Alec retorts.

Mike laughs over the music playing from the speakers. “You still have to come, even if you do own the building. Stop being a Scrooge!”

Alec rolls his eyes. “I need a drink if I’m going to be here for a couple of hours. I took a work-from-home day, yet here I am.”

Now I understand why he looked so irritated before he left the house. He grabs my arm and pulls me toward the bar, where the three of us take a seat.

While I sip my gin and tonic, my phone begins to ring. I know who it is; he’s been calling me non-stop for the past hour, but I’ve been ignoring it.

I take my phone from my bra, hit decline, and then toss it onto the bar. After knocking back my drink, I point to my glass so Amber, the bartender, can refill it.

“Thanks,” I say, taking another sip while both men look on. “I don’t want to talk about it,” I add quickly.

I haven't heard from Liam since the day I left. Now, all of a sudden, he’s calling me again. He must be done being busy. It doesn’t matter either way; I don’t plan on speaking with him—not in a million years.

Grabbing my glass, I stand. “I’m going to see Santa.”

Alec looks at me, then glances over at the booth where Liam is sitting with a woman with brown hair on his lap, her smile wide.

“Okay, just don’t wander off. This building is massive, and I don’t fancy looking for you for the next two hours!”

As if I would! I don’t even know where I’m going in this place. Besides, I'm not a snooper, if that’s what he’s worried about.

Making my way over to the man with the white beard, I stand and wait for the woman to finish. I just want a photo with him, and if that makes me a child, I don’t care—adults can enjoy the holiday too.

“Ho ho ho!” he says, gesturing for me to come forward.

I haven’t sat on Santa’s lap since I was a kid. It may seem strange to some people, but it brings back memories that I always want to hold onto for the rest of my days on this earth.

As I settle onto his knee, he leans in and asks, “What do you want for Christmas?”

That’s the million-dollar question: what do I truly want? I know I don’t seek material presents, but when I think about his question, nothing comes to mind. So, I simply say, “Happiness.”

He tilts his head, his eyes searching mine. “Don’t you already have that, my darling?”

“I thought I did at one point, but no… not anymore. The only place I feel happy is with my family, but these last few days have been filled with sadness for me.”

“So, the only thing you want is happiness?”

I nod while taking a sip of my drink. I realize he isn’t really going to make my wish come true, but it’s the only thing I can think of—the only thing I want. Sure, I’ve felt a little happier today, but what about tomorrow when I'm alone again?

“I can’t give you that specific thing, my love, because you need to figure that out for yourself. But I suggest keeping those who make you happy close. I know it may seem dark right now, whatever situation you're in, but it will get better, I promise you that.”

How can he promise me that when he doesn’t even know what’s going on right now? Deciding I’ve had enough of speaking with this fake Santa, I turn toward the camera and smile. When the flash goes off, it temporarily blinds me.

“Thank you,” I say before getting off his knee and taking the little photo from the elf waiting for me.

Just as I'm about to make my way back to Alec, I'm stopped by a woman who appears to be in her early thirties. Her red curly hair is tied up in a messy bun, and she’s wearing the same suit as I am, though mine is puffier than hers. “You came with Mr. Michael, right?”

How does she know that? “I’m sorry, but do I know you?”

I’ve never seen this woman in my life. Why is she approaching me?

“He hasn’t told you about me?” she asks, her eyes darting to the bar where Alec is still seated, with his back to us.

“Should… he have?”

She scoffs, placing her hands on her hips. “I’m his girlfriend, Julie. He was supposed to come here with me tonight.”

His what now? Wait—if he has a girlfriend, why on earth did he invite me? My eyes land on him as I say, “You’re his girlfriend?”

She nods slowly. “That’s what I said. Now why are you here with him?”

I hold my hands up defensively. “I had no idea he was in a relationship.”

“Well, he is, so I suggest you leave before I call security.” She’s cut off by a deep male voice, full of pure anger. “What the actual f**k?”