Page 18 of His Christmas Love Song

Jesse stands up quickly, setting his guitar aside. “I told you it’s fine,” he says sharply, before walking toward the kitchenette and opening the fridge, then slamming it noisily.

“I’m going into town for a bit. You want anything?”

Ryan frowns. It’s not like Jesse to be moody. That’s his wheelhouse. He stands up and put his own instrument to the side.

“Got something on your mind, Jess?”

Jesse gives him a weak smile. “No—yeah—no.”

“Well that clears it up.” Ryan’s trying to keep things light, but he wants to fold Jesse in his arms and try to help him through whatever’s got him down.

“It’s nothing. Well, not nothing, but. I think maybe I just need to be alone for a little while.”

“Sure, okay.” Ryan tries not to take that personally. “You wanna go grab us some dinner? I’ll keep working on this melody.”

Jesse nods. “Yeah. Sounds good. Any requests?”

Ryan thinks about their options. “Think Vermont tacos are any good?”

“Only one way to find out,” Jesse says.

“And get some beer. That way if the tacos suck, we can wash them down with something better.”

“You got it.”

Jesse smiles enough to show one of his dimples before grabbing the car keys and his jacket.

Ryan stops himself from telling Jesse to drive safe. He’s not the guy’s mom. Or his boyfriend. After Jesse’s gone, he pulls out his phone and looks at the last text from Hank from before lunch that Ryan hadn’t had a chance to answer.

Hank

How’s it going? Any progress?

Ryan thinks about how to respond before typing.

It’s going okay. I’m thinking of writing him a song. Is that cheesy?

Only a couple of minutes pass before his phone dings.

I’m pretty sure a song would be speaking his language. But how long does it take to write a song? I’m thinking you need to get this off your chest sooner rather than later.

I have a tune that didn’t work for another song that I think might be perfect. Now I just need the lyrics.

Awesome. Can I hear it? I work the second shift tomorrow. Want to meet up for brunch?

Where?

You’re welcome to come over.

Sounds good.

Jesse went out to pick up dinner. Do you want to come over and eat with us tonight?

Thanks, but I can’t. I’m on a break but I’ll be at the clinic until 9.

OK. See you tomorrow.

See you tomorrow, Ryan. ;-)