Page 70 of His Secret Santa

“Why?”

“Because you’re just down the hall… and my dad isn’t.”

Holden wrapped his arms around him and hugged him hard. “I never imagined this year would start like this,” he whispered.

Lincoln kissed his head. “Neither did I.”

Holden leaned back and looked up at him and squinted. “Were you really my secret Santa? At school, I mean.”

“Yes.”

“That was… quite the coincidence, don’t you think? That you happened to pick my name?”

Lincoln chuckled and kissed him. “Not a coincidence at all. I snuck into the classroom early while the teacher was out and sifted through the names until I found yours and took it out. It was already in my hand when I pretended to pick a name later.”

Holden stared at him, suppressing a smile. “You… cheated.”

“I did.” Lincoln grinned.

“And me choosing McKenna’s name…?”

Lincoln shook his head, chuckling. “Now that was just a coincidence… a sad, unfortunate coincidence.”

Holden laughed and hugged him again.

“Mm.” Lincoln rubbed his back. “This is going to be one fabulous year, baby.” He lifted Holden’s face and kissed him softly. “Happy new year.”

Holden kissed him back. “The happiest new year ever.”