Secret Santa Surprise: Book 29 in the Kindred Tales Series - Evangeline Anderson Page 0,23
disinterested tonight.”
“Stop being so negative,” Clear told him. “And remember that you promised to come.”
“Yes, yes—I’ll be there.” Strong waved him off. “But not unless you let me finish these reports. You go on to the party and I’ll see you soon.”
“See you soon,” Clear echoed his Brother. And putting the lid back on his present, he left their suite and headed for the reception hall where the Mother Ship’s Administration Department Christmas Party was being held. It included the Marketing, Accounting, and PR departments and their families, so one of the larger halls had been chosen for it.
As he walked down the hallway, he saw his friend, Sahran heading in the same direction. Sahran was a tall Blood Kindred with white-blonde hair and pale blue eyes. He was carrying a white cardboard gift box like the one Clear held, but he also had a roll of long, shiny, silver paper in one hand.
“Sahran, going to the party?” Clear greeted him.
“Oh, hello, Clear. Yes, but first I have to stop by my cubical and get some tape to wrap this present.” Sahran brandished the box and the roll of silver paper.
“You’re supposed to wrap them?” Clear felt his stomach drop.
“Oh, yes. I learned that the hard way,” Sahran said grimly. “During Sonja’s birthday celebration when I gave her an unwrapped present. Apparently a gift isn’t acceptable unless it’s wrapped in some kind of festive paper that your female can tear open before she opens the box.”
“But…that seems to add an unnecessary extra step in getting to the gift,” Clear protested. “Wouldn’t it seem that the one who receives the gift would rather get to open it sooner?”
“You’d think so, wouldn’t you?” Sahran shook his head. “But I’ve learned that some things about humans—especially human females—just don’t make logical sense.” He smiled fondly. “But my Sonja is so lovely that I don’t really mind.”
“Well, I don’t want to give an inappropriate gift,” Clear said, frowning. “Where can I get some of this shiny paper you’re using?”
“Oh, you can use some of mine—I’ve got plenty,” Sahran assured him. “Come with me and we’ll get both gifts wrapped in no time.”
“Thank you.” Clear smiled at his friend. “I appreciate it, Sahran.”
“No trouble at all. Who did you get in the gift giving exchange, anyway?” the Blood Kindred asked as they walked.
“I don’t think we’re supposed to tell, but I confess I drew Melanie’s name.” Clear tried not to smile.
“You look pleased about it,” Sahran noted. “I take it you wanted her name?”
“Very much. I have been what the humans call ‘crushing her’ for some time,” Clear admitted.
His friend frowned.
“I think you mean crushing on her. Or else you can say you ‘have a crush’ on her. Anyway, you’re lucky you got her name with no problems. I had to trade five times in order to get Sonja’s name.”
“Are you supposed to do that?” Clear asked doubtfully.
“Probably not.” Sahran shrugged and grinned. “But I knew it would make her happy.”
“I hope my gift to Melanie will make her happy,” Clear said, eyeing his cardboard box. “Maybe it will convince her to take myself and my brother seriously.”
Strong raised his white-blond eyebrows.
“So you’re serious about courting her, the two of you? You’re hoping to get her to agree to Join and bond with you?”
Clear nodded firmly.
“I am. My brother, Strong, doesn’t believe we have a chance with such a beautiful, mature Elite. But I refuse to give up hope.”
“Well, giving her a properly wrapped gift is a good start,” Sahran said as they turned into their work area. “Here—give me your present. I’ll wrap it at my desk while I wrap mine.”
Clear handed him the white cardboard box and Sahran stacked it on top of his own identical box and headed towards his cubical. The sounds of paper cutting and low cursing drifted through the air to Clear but in a few minutes, his friend was back. He handed Clear the box, now wrapped in shiny silver paper.
“There—now your gift is acceptably wrapped and appropriately festive,” he said, grinning widely enough to show his fangs.
“Thank you.” Clear took the box gratefully and tucked it under his arm. “I can’t wait to see Melanie wearing this.”
Sahran winked at him.
“I feel the same way, Brother. I can’t wait to see Sonja in the gift I picked for her either. Come on—we don’t want to be late for the party!”
Then the two of them headed down the hall, towards the Christmas party.