All our thanks to you for reading and reviewing, and to our team for making sure each chapter has juuuuust the right amount of Christmas magic. We loved your holiday lights pictures - today is the day to share your favorite holiday drinks! Post them in our facebook group, Nerdy Lil Darlins!

Chapter 5: Not the Car I Reserved

December 5, Sunday

Seattle, Washington

Edward

You've got to be kidding me.

This is the last thing I need right now after a shitty day of traveling during the holiday season.

"That's unacceptable," I shake my head at the woman behind the desk in front of me. "I need a car. I've reserved a car well in advance, so there should be a car here waiting for me right now. That's the whole purpose of a reservation."

"I do apologize, Sir. We're working on finding a solution for you, Mr. Masen." She smiles at me, though I know it's not done out of sincerity but more out of fear. I nod, trying to keep my anger in check as the woman taps diligently on her keyboard before disappearing through a door behind her.

Reaching into my jacket pocket, I find my phone and call the hotel while I'm waiting, confirming that at least one of my reservations is still intact for my stay here in Seattle for the next month. It's one thing to somehow lose my rental car reservation, but if my hotel room were to be lost as well, someone, everyone, would be getting an earful from me.

Holiday season be damned.

At that thought, a car pulls to a stop, brakes squealing in protest at the curb in front of the building.

"Oh, what fresh hell is this?" I ask, already knowing the answer.

I can't believe this is happening. Actually, no. I take that back. I actually can believe this is happening right now — and I'm not happy about it.

I turn around, about to open my mouth, and ask the woman behind the desk if this is some kind of joke, but she beats me to it.

"It was this or nothing," She sputters. "We're sorry, but this is the best we can do. We've been busy. Holidays and all."

"You have my number on file. Call me if anyone else needs me to pick them up for a ride — I have plenty of seats in the tour bus you're giving me."

Twenty minutes and a handful of paperwork later, I'm pulling out of the parking lot driving my ten-passenger red van.

Inconspicuous I am not.

I stick out like a sore thumb as I make my way to my hotel, struggling to park within the lines in the parking lot. By the time I've checked in and made my way up to my room, I'm tired, annoyed, and downright over this miserable excuse of a day. To make matters worse, I have back-to-back meetings all day long tomorrow, offering almost no time to collect myself in between. I had planned to do some work tonight once I was checked in and settled a bit, but after the fiasco with renting a car and then driving said car, which could fit the entire population of Washington inside of it, I'm done.

I'm waving the white flag.

With just under three weeks until Christmas, I'm waving that white flag of surrender with a shake of my head and a raise of my glass within the solitude of my hotel room.

… Earlier than I thought.

Christmas and me, well, we don't get along. We tolerate each other at best, but this year, most likely because I'm traveling for the majority of the season, it's already gotten under my skin. My blood boils, and my body cringes at every song on the radio, every commercial for some new Hallmark Movie, and at every news article containing the best holiday recipes.

The whole season can just fuck all the way off.

As someone who didn't experience a single Christmas growing up, can anyone blame my disdain for a holiday that only took from me and never gave back until it was too late?

Glancing at the calendar, I can see it's only just begun.

Rubbing my hands over my face in annoyance, I put my drink down and reach for my laptop, pulling out a folder and opening it to the first page. Tomorrow I'll be meeting with Michael Newton, a potential client, about his latest line of home gym products he needs to be advertised. As exhausted as I am right now, I need to familiarize myself with him and his needs if I want any part of his business.

An hour later, when I can barely keep my eyes open, I walk over to the window in my hotel room, yawning as my eyes land on the trees across the Sound.

I can see why Emmett, my longtime friend from college, loves it here. He grew up nearby and came home every year for Christmas. It's beautiful to look at, not as fast as New York or Chicago, and business is always booming in this part of the world. All the start-ups who need advertising — I'm the one to call.

But not tonight.

Tonight I collapse face first in bed, trying to find the will hidden in my exhaustion, to find a way to make it through this season.

Even if I have to do it alone.

We've got a Grinch here, folks! We wonder who can make his *ahem* HEART, grow in size this holiday season? Tomorrow, be prepared to share your favorite holiday songs! In our facebook group, link your favorite songs for all to hear!

We have one last guy to meet tomorrow, and then we begin to weave them all together. SO EXCITED. See you tomorrow!