Page 24 of Daycare Santa

“Aren’t we a bit too old for that?”

“I’m going out with someone I met in the building where I presented that proposal two weeks ago. And no, she’s not connected to the company.”

A horn blast drowned some of Eli’s words. “... I met her in the elevator, and we hit it off.”

“I’m not going out with you and some random woman and her friend.”

“You’re missing out, but that’s your choice.”

“Yep. I’ll arrange my own dates. Thank you very much.”

Eli huffed, as if Zack was a lost case. “Have it your way.”

“Definitely will.”

“Anyway, touch base with me when you get home. We need to talk coding.”

“Fine. Later then.”

He inched forward and disconnected the call. The person behind him tapped his horn. Zack didn’t see why, because the car in front of him wasn’t that far ahead. He kept a light foot on the gas as his mind wandered to Gina. Eli would be surprised to know Zack was really checking her out.

He drove across the intersection on the amber light, and the driver behind shot across and overtook him when he was almost on the other side. Then he jumped ahead a second time, despite the thick traffic.

A few choice words came to mind, but Zack didn’t utter them. The console lit up and displayed Eli’s number. Zack glanced at the road, then tapped the button to answer. Their family had a running joke that Eli couldn’t ever complete his conversation in one phone call. When Zack looked up again, he couldn’t miss the soft thud as he tapped the bumper of the vehicle ahead of him.

Chapter 10

The snarled trafficwas bad enough. Now, some road menace had run into her van. A moment ago, when it moved without her help or permission, Gina peered into the rearview mirror. At the sight of the dark sports car, she puckered her lips. Just her luck. She’d now have to argue with some young stud who didn’t feel the need to obey the road code.

She took a second look when the man unfolded himself from the vehicle and an unexpected smile crept up on her. The guy heading her way was her part-time Santa and daycare daddy. She’d made a brief stop at the pharmacy after leaving Wintertime, which might explain why he caught up with her.

“Stay put, Luca. This won’t take long.”

He barely looked up from her phone, which he was using to play a game.

She stepped out of the Hyundai and faced Zack, who had his mobile in hand, the flashlight trained on her bumper.