Title: The Holiday List
Series: The Script Club #4
Author: Lane Hayes
Narrator: Alexander Cendese
Publisher: Lane Hayes
Release Date: December 3
Length: 3 hrs and 44 mins
Genre: Romance, Nerd/Jock, MM Romance, Bisexual, Single Dad, Grumpy/Happy, Holiday Romance
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Synopsis
The Mars maestro, the single dad, and a wish list…
Chet-
Boy, am I lucky! Finding a living situation with a houseful of passionate scientists just before the holidays is ideal in every possible way. As the newest member of the Script Club, I feel it’s important to step up and tackle the to-do list my friends would prefer to avoid. Item one, address the tutoring request from the neighborhood-hottie-slash-single-dad on the next block. I’ve got this!
Or do I?
Handsome, older, sporty gentlemen intimidate me. And Mr. McSwoony doesn’t like the holidays. This may be a daunting task.
Sam-
What do you do when a new neighbor shows up on your doorstep with cookies and a wacky plan to spread holiday cheer? I don’t need cheer, but I could use help with some of the experiments my son wants to try. I know football, not science. Hopefully, I can talk Chet into a mutually beneficial trade. The only snag is that I’m seriously attracted to my local Mars expert. He’s unintentionally charming…in the very best way.
Don’t quote me, but this holiday elf with thick glasses and a mile-long list might be exactly what I need.
The Holiday List is an MM bisexual, geek/jock romance with a holiday twist featuring a lovable scientist and a single dad who’s probably on the naughty list!
“It’s Sunday, science guy. I’m not even gonna think about pulling out my backpack till Tuesday morning.”
Chet set one hand on his hip and held up two fingers, frowning hard enough that his brows met the frame of his glasses. “Two things: Science guy? Backpack?”
I shrugged. “Sure, everyone needs a nickname. My friends call me Sammy, Linc is short for Lincoln, and I’m not about to call you Dorito. I might be in the minority, but I don’t like Doritos. I like you, though, so…science guy. If you don’t like it, I’ll come up with something else.”
“Oh. Okay.” A pleased expression ghosted over his face before he remembered his second item of concern. “Item number two. You’ll need more than a backpack. I can help you lift your suitcase if you’d like.”
“Thanks. I can handle it.” I smiled at the idea of Chet schlepping my bag. “I pack light. I’ll bring a change of undies or two, some socks and slippers, and call it a day.”
Yeah, I was yanking his chain. I couldn’t help it. I had a feeling his reaction would be worth it.
Chet wrinkled his nose, then opened and closed his mouth a few times, sputtering. “I hope you’re joking.”
I bit the inside of my cheek before finally losing the battle with the ridiculous grin I’d been holding in check since I pulled in front of his house. “Nah. I’ll be fine. I’m a travel pro. I know what I’m doing.”
“Obviously not,” he retorted. “According to my sister, the low has been fifteen degrees Fahrenheit over this past weekend, and it’s going to get colder. You’ll need boots and a real winter coat. It’s supposed to snow Tuesday afternoon. A big storm, too. That’s why I’m leaving so early. If I were you, I’d consider an earlier departure as well. And a suitcase. It’s important to pack layers. Bring a few sweaters, a sweatshirt, sweatpants or flannel pajama bottoms, if you prefer.”
“Thanks. I’ll be fine.”
He gaped at me in frustration. “What time are you leaving?”
I shrugged carelessly. “Noon?”
“That is not a wise plan.” He sighed, gnawing his bottom lip.
“I’ll be fine. Will it make you feel better if I leave at nine o’clock?”
“Not really.”
“Well, that’s the earliest I can do. I need caffeine and I know myself. I won’t have enough coffee in my system to concentrate on the road until at least midmorning.”
“Sam…”
“Hey, don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine,” I repeated, slipping my hands into my pockets as I worked up the energy to say yet another good-bye.
This one should have been a casual courtesy—nothing more. But my chest ached at the thought of not seeing my nerdy neighbor for a few days. That was fucking crazy. And probably another sign that I really needed a vacation…or something.
“We should drive together,” Chet blurted.
“Huh?”
“We’re going to the same place. Mammoth isn’t that big. If we head out by five forty-five a.m., I can drive you to your cabin and still reach my destination before the storm. Since you have a bad limb and a propensity for tardiness, this will solve your problem.”
“Not quite. I’ll need wheels to buy groceries and stuff. I appreciate the offer, but—”
“You can borrow mine. I’ll be with my sister and her husband and some family friends. I won’t need transportation.” He gestured toward my Tesla. “And if you were planning on driving that…don’t. You need all-wheel drive and maybe chains too. Your vehicle is nice, but not suited to harsh weather.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him I’d planned on taking my truck. I parked it on the street in front of my neighbor’s house or sometimes in her driveway at her request. That wasn’t as weird as it sounded. She traveled a lot and thought a manly truck in her driveway would deter potential burglars. Bottom line…there was a good chance Chet didn’t know I had another ride.
And suddenly, I didn’t want to tell him. Hitching a ride with him to the mountains might be the only way I’d get to spend any time with him for a while, and for some reason, I really needed to be in his sphere.
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Lane Hayes loves a good romance! An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and were winners in the 2016, 2017, and 2018-2019 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a not quite empty nest.
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