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    The Christmas Party
    The Christmas Party
    The Christmas Party
    Ebook57 pages52 minutes

    The Christmas Party

    By Jean C. Joachim

    ()

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    About this ebook

    What do you get for Christmas for your best friend who has everything? A date with her forever-crush, right? Aaron and Patrice have been best friends since high school. This year, instead of a bottle of perfume or a new scarf, he has the supreme surprise in store for her – movie star and high school chum, Damian Wood.

     

    Aaron's bringing him to Patrice's Christmas party expressly to meet her. Never mind Aaron had once crushed on her. Putting aside your own feelings to make someone else happy is a sign of true friendship, isn't it?

     

    Little does he know Patrice has cooked up a mighty big surprise for him, too. All is revealed at the Christmas party, where things may not be what they seem in this sweet rom-com, feel-good short story.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMoonlight Books
    Release dateDec 22, 2020
    ISBN9781393210849
    The Christmas Party
    Author

    Jean C. Joachim

    ¬¬¬ Jean Joachim is a best-selling romance fiction author, with books hitting the Amazon Top 100 list since 2012. She writes mostly contemporary romance, which includes sports romance and romantic suspense. Dangerous Love Lost & Found, First Place winner in the 2015 Oklahoma Romance Writers of America, International Digital Award contest. The Renovated Heart won Best Novel of the Year from Love Romances Café. Lovers & Liars was a RomCon finalist in 2013. And The Marriage List tied for third place as Best Contemporary Romance from the Gulf Coast RWA. To Love or Not to Love tied for second place in the 2014 New England Chapter of Romance Writers of America Reader’s Choice contest. She was chosen Author of the Year in 2012 by the New York City chapter of RWA. Married and the mother of two sons, Jean lives in New York City. Early in the morning, you’ll find her at her computer, writing, with a cup of tea, her rescued pug, Homer, by her side and a secret stash of black licorice. Jean has 30+ books, novellas and short stories published. Find them here: http://www.jeanjoachimbooks.com. Sign up for her newsletter, on her website, and be eligible for her private paperback sales. here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jean-Joachim-Author/221092234568929?sk=app_100265896690345

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      Book preview

      The Christmas Party - Jean C. Joachim

      Dedication

      To my readers, who make writing a joy.

      Acknowledgment

      Aspecial thank you to Vicki Locey, and Roz Lee whose encouragement keeps me on track. Thank you to the Joachim men, Larry, David & Steve, and the newest member of our family, Pam, for keeping me grounded and believing in me.

      WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

      The Christmas Party

      Copyright © 2020 Jean C. Joachim

      Edited by Kathy Krick

      Proofreader – Renee Waring

      Cover design – Jean C. Joachim

      ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

      PUBLISHER

      Moonlight Books

      THE CHRISTMAS PARTY

      Chapter One

      AN APARTMENT ON THE West Side of Manhattan

      Aaron North had the best Christmas present humanly possible for his best friend, Patrice Linden. Signed and sealed—the only thing missing was a bow. He’d be bringing Damian Wood to her annual Christmas Eve party.

      Damian was a star of stage, screen, and Patrice’s dreams since they were fifteen. Aaron and Damian had kept up a sort of friendship since they attended McHugh High School. The actor had been in town to audition for Broadway, and while they were at lunch together, Aaron had brought up Patrice.

      The flat-chested girl with the skinny legs? Damian sipped his latte.

      She’s changed. Aaron had whipped out a picture and slid it across the table. Damian choked.

      Holy shit! This is Patrice Linden?

      Yep. She’s having a Christmas Eve party, and I want to bring you. As her date. You’re her biggest wet dream.

      Me?

      Aaron nodded. Come on. You’re not dating anyone now, are you?

      Well. Let me check my schedule. I’ll text you tomorrow.

      Damian had agreed. Aaron couldn’t stop smiling.

      Every year Patrice would rope him into helping out with planning and decorating. He’d be doing the tree with her this year. And ordering the liquor too.

      His girlfriend, Crystal, had stopped over after work. They ordered a pizza and watched a movie. Now, he’d press her into service too.

      I need to order the champagne, wine, and vodka. Call these liquor stores, Crystal. Get prices and delivery schedules, okay? We need the booze there by noon on Christmas Eve.

      Okay. She perused the list. This is a lot of work for one lousy party.

      It’s going to be a great party. The most monumental party in the world.

      Just a Christmas party.

      Not just a Christmas party. A liberation. You’ll see.

      She sidled up to him. Are we getting engaged at Christmas?

      Aaron avoided her question. Go on, get started.

      Don’t get your knickers in a twist. She picked up her

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