Santa (Maybe): A Rom Com Novella Read Online Free Page A

Madeleine.
    It turned out th at Madeleine lived less than half a mile from Mark. She’d lived in the same place for years. So had Mark. All this time they’d been that close.
    Madeleine fell asleep in the car. When they got to her house, Mark pulled up in the driveway and went around to the passenger side. He opened the door and undid Madeleine’s seat belt. She opened her eyes halfway.
    “You’re home,” Mark told her.
    “Sleepy. So sleepy.”
    “Am I going to have to carry you in?” She wasn’t that drunk, but he didn’t mind. She didn’t seem to mind either, because she got out of the car under her own power and wrapped her arms around his neck as she swayed against him.
    “Sleepy.”
    “Yes, I think we’ve established that. Where is your key?”
    It was in her bag. He fished it out and picked her up in his arms. He had to put her down on the doorstop to coax open the stubborn lock, but he picked her up again and carried her over the threshold.
    “Which way?” He had no idea where to go from here. He finally located a light-switch. Light flooded the room. They were standing at the foot of the stairs.
    “Too bright!” complained Madeleine. He switched the light back off.
    “Where to? Shall I put you down?”
    “No, upstairs.”
    Mark carried Madeleine up the stairs.
    “Down the hall.”
    They were in her bedroom now. He set her down on the bed. She clung to his neck.
    “You’ll be OK now. I have to go.”
    “Don’t go.”
    “I should.”
    “Please.”
    He couldn’t see her face. Was she that lonely? So lonely she got drunk and begged strange men to spend the night?
    Mark loosened her arms from around his neck and fumbled around until he found a lamp and switched it on.
    Madeleine was curled up in the fetal position on the end of the bed. Her shoes were still on and she appeared to have fallen asleep again. Asleep was good. Now he could slip away. But first he’d take her shoes off.
    He got the first shoe off without waking her, but she stirred when he attempted the second.
    “Don’t go.” Madeleine begged. “Promise.”
    “How about I stay until you fall asleep?”
    “Then I won’t fall asleep.” She looked so rumpled and vulnerable. Her perfect makeup from earlier in the evening wasn’t so perfect anymore. Her eye-liner was smudged around her eyes. She reminded Mark of a depressed raccoon.
    “Yes, you will fall asleep. I give it three minutes.”
    “Promise . Promise me, you’ll stay. I won’t sleep. I promise.”
    Staying was the last thing he should do, but he did it anyway. He tucked her into bed fully clothed and then lay down on top of the bed spread and watched her fall asleep from the other side of the bed. He didn’t touch her except move a stray strand of hair that draped across her eyes. She didn’t stir. Strangely, she looked happier asleep. Mark hoped that she at least had happy dreams.

Six Days Until Christmas
 
    Madeleine woke up as it was growing light. She always woke up early. Even on the weekends. Even when Chad had Emily and she could have slept in as late as she liked.
    She turned over and nearly screamed. There was a man in her bed. He lay on top of the bedspread wrapped in his coat. He was asleep. As he breathed in and out, his wooly white beard floated up and down.
    Mark. Of course. It was coming back to her. She’d been pathetic. Completely pathetic. She wanted to die. Maybe , if she pretended to be asleep, he’d wake up and leave. Then she wouldn’t have to face him. She was about to put the pretending-to-be-asleep-plan into action when Mark opened his eyes. He looked started for a few seconds. He broke into a big grin. He reached up and stroked his Santa beard.
    “Spirit gum has amazing staying power.”
    Madeleine didn’t know what to say, so she didn’t say anything.
    Mark rolled over to face her. They were feet apart, but that was still to o close.
    “Listen—“ Mark said , “—I don’t want you to—“
    “I’d rather we didn’t