Chapter 28

Both Amanda and Spencer had work on New Year's Day. Amanda knew that even though Juan had Sundays off, the entire salon would know about her night. She loved him dearly, but he had a big mouth. She braced herself as she walked in. She headed straight to her office, but not without noticing that the few staff members were there were staring at her. She had more important things to think about, like ordering hair color and whether or not to call Spencer.

Over lunch, she video conferenced with Holly. After talking about Holly's family for a good 20 minutes, Amanda caught her up on everything that had transpired since she left. "You know, Amanda, I love you. So I mean this in the nicest possible way… I am not at all surprised that you haven't dated in ages. I don't know this man so I can't say for sure but it sounds to me like he likes you. Any man that does those things for someone he recently met, there's ulterior motives. Depending on the guy what those are but I think you're safe with this one. Don't listen to Juan anymore. While the little red dress would work on any other man, this one is special. He's a rare breed. Talk to him, connect emotionally and woo him. You're a smart girl, you'll figure it out. Remember: He's a Doogie, not a Vinnie."

Amanda chuckled. "Yeah, I think I'm going to just let it ride. I have tomorrow off so I'll probably just stay in all day and think and crochet. Who knows, maybe he does like me but doesn't want anything more than a friendship. I don't want to ruin that. I've become content in the fact that the only straight men in my life are Cary Grant, Paul Newman, and James Dean."

"You're incorrigible. I hope you realize this."

"Oh, I know. It's part of why you find me charming. We'll see what happens. I'm not going to push it but I'll keep the option to open. I'll talk to you soon, dear. Give Little Man a big hug and kiss for me."

"So what happened?" Morgan asked as Reid walked into the BAU offices.

"What are you talking about?"

"Come on, Reid. Last night… you and Amanda… I want to know what happened."

"Nothing happened," Spencer shrugged.

"I saw you kiss. It may have been a New Year's kiss but that's still something. Especially for you."

"It was a New Year's kiss. It meant nothing but a greeting to the new year."

"Do you really believe that?"

"If she has a Julbocken and tomtes, she's most likely a traditionalist. At least when it comes to holidays. So, yes, I do."

"What are those and how do you know she does?"

"They were all over her apartment. A Julbocken is a Swedish Christmas straw goat and tomte is a Scandinavian folklore creature similar to a gnome that was said to take care of the farmer's home and protect them at night. In later years he brought gifts similar to Santa Claus."

"Whoa, when were you at her place?"

"That time? It was a couple days before she left to go back to Chicago for Christmas. I was helping her organize her books and offered to watch Reed. That kiss meant more than New Year's, but that was just a thank you kiss on the cheek."

"You're killing me, man," Derek said throwing his head back.

"What?"

Derek sighed, "A girl like Amanda… I guarantee it was more than that. If she's a traditionalist like you say she is, she may just be waiting for you. You know what, this is something that you're going to have to figure out for yourself, because if I have to tell you my head is going to explode. If you can't figure out with that big brain of yours that the two of you like each other, then I can't help you. You need to do this one on your own. You're a big boy, you can handle it." He patted Reid's shoulder as he went to his desk.