A Graphically Designed Holiday, page 1
Table of Contents
Blurb
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Epilogue
About the Author
By Ren Holly
Visit Dreamspinner Press
Copyright
A Graphically Designed Holiday
By Ren Holly
Graphic designer Eli has harbored a secret crush on nerdy math teacher Lincoln since they were at school together, and he’s perfectly content with his unrequited feelings—until Lincoln requests a special handmade holiday gift: a dating profile with all the bells and whistles Eli can include, one that will be sure to find Lincoln a boyfriend for Christmas.
Eli uses building the profile as an excuse to spend time with Lincoln, but will he be able to watch his friend find love with someone else?
For my brother, who deserves nothing less than a prince for Christmas.
Chapter One
ELI SAT hunched over a wooden desk that was nearly as intricate as it was old, hastily wrapping up a design project so that he could dive into the weekend with no lingering responsibilities. The memory of the desk inheritance was still fresh in Eli’s mind.
It had been a gift from his father, reluctantly passed down to him, as promised, when he had completed his degree in aerospace engineering. It was expected that Eli would continue the family tradition of launching satellites and developing exploratory spacecrafts, “advancing our species and satiating our natural curiosity…” as his father called it. And while that was all well and good, Eli found there was plenty to do right here on Earth.
“The ice caps are melting,” his father had said as he perused the newest issue of Aerospace Sciences. “We have a garbage dump in the Pacific the size of Texas, and no one cares.”
“I care, Father” was Eli’s tired response, and he did, which was exactly why he had secretly procured a minor in graphic design. Perhaps the stretch between graphic design and the sorry state of the world was a bit far, but Eli liked to think that he had already begun to make a difference.
During his time at Princeton, he had teamed up with the environmental students and launched an advertising campaign to reduce single-use plastics, encourage recycling, and spread environmental awareness. According to Eli’s calculations, his efforts, along with those of his colleagues, had spared the ocean thousands of pounds of garbage. It was a good feeling and the spark of his career.
“The Earth is doomed,” his father had continued. “Our only hope is technological advancement and space exploration.”
“Well that theory is quite good for your business, isn’t it?” Eli sagged against the doorframe of his father’s office. “I, on the other hand, have a more optimistic view of our future. People can change. It’s not too late.”
“Why are we even having this argument?” His father pinched the bridge of his nose and took a breath. “You have your aerospace engineering degree. Now it’s just a matter of choice. Will you work for my company, the university, or…?” Eli’s father didn’t bother trying to come up with a third option. In his mind there were only two, and he had stated them explicitly.
“Actually,” Eli said with forced brightness. “I have already accepted a job offer.”
“With whom?”
Eli hesitated, but only for a moment. He couldn’t afford to show any weakness to his father or he would be trampled. “The company is called Welsh and Swann.”
“A start-up?” Eli’s father said the word like it was blasphemy.
“It’s not an engineering firm,” said Eli, fighting a grin in spite of himself. His father, so enamored by the cosmos, was likely the only one in the entire country never to have heard of the largest graphic design firm in the United States. Even as the valedictorian of his class and with great connections, it had been hard to get the offer. “I’ve decided to pursue graphic design.”
“What?” his father sputtered. His face ripened to deep plum color. “This isn’t funny.”
“I’m perfectly serious,” Eli replied calmly. “I’ll be moving to Washington DC at the end of the month.”
“Why did you even bother to major in aerospace engineering?” his father spat, still reeling from unspent emotion and shock.
A lazy grin slipped onto Eli’s face. “It’s family tradition, and well….”
Eli glanced guiltily across the cluttered study, and his father followed his gaze to the ornate desk in the corner. It stood strong and proud even under the crushing weight of dozens of astronomy books.
“If you think you’re taking that desk, passed down from your great-grandfather through three generations of aerospace engineers, then you’re sadly mistaken.”
Eli had the good sense to look somewhat sheepish as he produced a stack of unassuming papers. “We had an agreement,” he said, pushing the pile toward his father. The contract was also a family tradition, though backed by the full force of law. It was supposed to be a formality used to encourage the next generation to pursue their otherworldly destiny. Undoubtedly his great-grandfather had never anticipated that one of his progenies would complete the rigorous degree responsibilities only to turn their back on the profession entirely. Even Eli had to admit to himself that this was ludicrous. The path had certainly not been easy, but the price was well worth the desk. It was perfect for graphic design.
Eli’s father’s jaw slackened, and his eyes assumed a glassy, far-off expression. “We’re doomed…” he muttered to himself. “All because my son is a stubborn idiot.”
He’s taking this worse than my coming out, thought Eli, bemused.
It was a bit unfair to say his father had taken that badly. The truth was he appeared so indifferent that Eli hadn’t been sure if his father heard him correctly. He had, of course. The old codger didn’t miss anything.
Only in retrospect did Eli realize his father’s indifference had actually been intentional. As a detached, objective scientist, it was the best he could do with such an intimate and personal conversation. In the end the truth didn’t change their relationship at all. The memory made Eli smile. His father was hardly the callous and uncaring man he appeared during their argument over the desk.
ELI GLANCED at his calendar. It had taken his father two months to rein in his anger and finally pick up the phone to check on him. Their initial conversations had been awkward and short, the first one only consisting of a single question: “Are you alive?” Since then, Eli’s father had been shaving off exactly three days from the duration between calls. They were down to a week and a half, with only two days left until the next call. In a few days it would be December, and their regular Sunday phone calls would resume. The fight would finally come to an end.
Eli paused as he noticed a line of writing below the current date on the calendar.
Drinks with Lincoln.
“I’m late!” He groaned, pushing out of the desk chair. On the way out, he grabbed his scarf and hat. “Please still be there.”
Chapter Two
“I’VE ALREADY ordered three beers,” complained Lincoln as Eli strode breathlessly up to the table. A crease formed between Lincoln’s golden brows, and his full lips tipped into a frown. “For a lowly geometry teacher, that’s practically a week’s worth of salary.”
Eli knew Lincoln wasn’t exaggerating. The nation’s capital was lovely in everything but price. It was expensive just to be. “The next one’s on me,” he said apologetically. “I lost track of time, and then they closed the sidewalk to hang Christmas lights. I had to go the long way.”
Lincoln sighed. “I want bourbon,” he said with mischief dancing in his clear, green eyes. “The nice stuff.”
“Consider it done.” Eli grinned and went to the counter to procure the drinks and then returned, taking a seat across from Lincoln. He pushed the bourbon across the table. “What’s the occasion?” he asked. Rarely did Lincoln indulge in anything better than the bottom shelf. “Are we celebrating or commiserating?”
“Commiserating,” sighed Lincoln.
“It can’t be that bad.” Eli settled back into his chair. “Did your students fail their exam again? Just curve it. I’m pretty sure I would fail it, and I’m almost an engineer.”
“It’s not that,” said Lincoln, amused. “Well, I mean, they did fail their test, but like you said, that’s not out of the ordinary.”
Eli shook his head. For all of Lincoln’s grumbles and groans about the inadequacies of his students, they still managed to garner some of the highest scores in the state exams every year. “What is it, then?”
“I wasn’t planning to tell you.” Lincoln took a swig of bourbon and turned his attention to the window.
Eli frowned. He had known Lincoln since his freshman year at Princeton. They had taken advanced calculus together, and there was no way not to bond in a class that felt like hazing. Half the reason—okay nine-tenths of the reason—Eli had so vigorously pursued a graphic design career in Washington DC was because that was Lincoln’s postgraduation destination.
In college Lincoln often pulled all-nighters to help Eli with his graphically designed fliers, even if that help was mostly just companionship. After they finished Lincoln always took a small stack of the fliers and hung them in silly places for Eli to find. On one occasion Lincoln had secretly enlarged the design to poster-size and hung one on either s
“It must be a pretty big deal if you can’t even trust your best friend with it,” grumbled Eli.
“I don’t even know why I try.” Lincoln rolled his eyes. “I’m terrible with secrets, especially my own.”
Eli leaned forward in anticipation.
“Fine,” Lincoln grumbled. “I’m having romance issues.”
Eli felt stricken. “Romance?” he asked hoarsely. “What do you mean?”
Lincoln pulled a laptop from his bag and, after a series of clicks, pushed it toward Eli. “That’s my dating profile,” said Lincoln. “I dare not tell you the ratio of sent-to-received messages, but please bring your attention to the big fat zero hovering over the inbox.” He sighed dramatically. Leave it to a math teacher to talk about messages in terms of ratios.
Eli glanced down at the laptop with trepidation. His eyes fell to the creation date—November 13. Lincoln had made the profile two weeks ago. Eli bit the inside of his cheek, trying not to imagine the horror of being introduced to Lincoln’s boyfriend. It generated a tight, nauseating feeling. No one deserved him. Eli swallowed, eyes still fixed on the screen. To his delight the profile picture was a horrendously unflattering selfie taken at least ten inches too low. Lincoln’s perfect, angular jaw was lost somewhere in his neck, and his expression was awkward at best.
The “About Me” section was practically nonexistent. It mentioned looking for a serious relationship and Lincoln’s teaching profession. There were absolutely no indications of Lincoln’s sparkling wit and generous character. Eli was vastly relieved.
“I rather like your profile the way it is,” said Eli, pushing the computer back across the table. “Besides, you should find someone that likes you for who you are.” Someone like me.
Lincoln’s brows fell into a heavy, unamused line. “Even I can tell the problem is my lack of artistic abilities,” he said. “I’m not eloquent or artsy in any way, but—” Lincoln’s eyes lit up. “—you are!”
“What?” Eli struggled to keep up.
“Have you gotten me a Christmas present yet?”
“It can be returned. Why?”
“All I want this year are your graphic design skills,” Lincoln said, lacing his fingers. “I think all my profile needs is a little professional TLC.”
Eli’s throat constricted painfully. For fear of losing their friendship, Eli had never considered making a move on Lincoln. Besides, his friend seemed so perfectly unconcerned with dating. Why now? Why not me?
The question was answered nearly as soon as it entered Eli’s mind. If Lincoln harbored any romantic feelings at all, then he wouldn’t have asked for this favor. All those years together, all of the misadventures, had only infected Eli’s heart with desire. And indeed, in that moment, it did feel a lot like illness. Eli’s heart thumped painfully, and his head throbbed in protest. He downed the rest of his bourbon in one big gulp. “A few edits to your dating website could hardly count as a Christmas present. Wouldn’t you prefer something more…. commercial?”
“You’d be giving me a boyfriend for Christmas.” Lincoln’s eyes sparkled in delight at the thought. “It would be a wonderful gift.”
“But there’s nothing to design,” tried Eli feebly. “All the elements are already here. You just have to fill in the boxes and upload the pictures.”
“There are image and text options,” Lincoln said in breathless excitement. “Your whole job is to visually represent an idea or concept. Just imagine I’m that concept.” He was blissfully unaware that Eli was just fishing for excuses. “I need you to give me an image like you do for environmental conservation. I want you to sell me.”
I’d rather buy you, thought Eli. “Well we would definitely need to have a photo shoot,” he said weakly. “You look constipated in this picture.”
Lincoln huffed in indignation, but a happy smile spread across his face. “So you’ll do it?”
Eli hesitated. It was the biggest favor his friend had ever asked for, not in skill, but in heart. Just as he was about to decline, he glanced into Lincoln’s clear, green eyes. Childish hope twinkled in them. Eli sighed. He had never been very good at telling Lincoln no.
“I’ll make it your best Christmas present yet.”
Chapter Three
TWO DAYS later, Eli found himself strolling into the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History with Lincoln—camera in tow. The purpose of the visit was to document Lincoln’s interests while also visually displaying his wit and charm. It was nothing Eli couldn’t handle. He knew firsthand all of the things that made Lincoln lovable. The problem, however, was that upon entry into his favorite museum, Lincoln appeared to forget all about the photo shoot.
Eli brushed a few stray snowflakes from his coat, watching as Lincoln darted up to the entry exhibit. It displayed a large African elephant standing upon a sandy mound. Lincoln had seen it dozens of times, but his enthusiasm had yet to wane. He stared up at the large mammal with what seemed to be reverent wonder.
Eli brought the camera to his eye and watched his friend through the glass. Lincoln’s golden hair had been clipped short on the sides and brushed back, giving him a very polished and academic look. Even on off days, Lincoln dressed impeccably.
“You never know when you might run into a student,” Lincoln would say. “I want to be a good example for them.”
The memory brought a smile to Eli’s lips as he admired Lincoln’s form-fitting peacoat and trendy red scarf. The lens of the camera fell to the swell of his bicep and then lower still to the round curves of his…. Eli shot the camera back to Lincoln’s face and clicked in surprise as his friend turned to face him.
“What are you doing?” asked Lincoln, amused.
“Taking pictures,” replied Eli innocently. He glanced down at the camera. Accident though it was, the photo actually turned out quite well. Eli had managed to capture Lincoln in a three-quarter profile with an expression of pure joy. It was a perfect mixture of handsome masculinity and boyish charm. “Want to see?”
“No.” Lincoln shooed the camera away. “Don’t worry about that yet. Let’s just look around for a while. We haven’t been here in so long.”
Eli smirked. “We were here just last month.”
“Is that right?” asked Lincoln thoughtfully. “Can’t be.” He grinned and hooked his arm through Eli’s. Although it was just a gesture of friendship, Eli’s heart lurched at the contact. He let Lincoln lead him through the exhibit of early mammals and then to the dinosaurs.
“Let’s take a picture here.” Lincoln pulled out of Eli’s grasp. “The Tyrannosaurus rex is my favorite.”
“Okay, go stand by it. We could make this one more artistic—”
Lincoln cast a disappointed expression as he peered over his shoulder. “I meant for us to take it together.”
“You can’t put a picture of another man on your dating profile.” Eli wished he had the audacity to sabotage this self-destructive mission.
“We won’t put this one on the profile. This is just to document our day.”
Our day… thought Eli in turmoil. He went and positioned himself next to Lincoln, but before he quite knew what was happening, Lincoln reached up and grasped the back of Eli’s shoulder and grinned for the picture. It was an innocuous gesture, but Eli hesitated. The warmth in his cheeks surely meant they were an embarrassing shade of pink. He had never been self-conscious around Lincoln before, but neither had Lincoln expressed interest in dating. It was an excruciating mix of anticipation and hopelessness.
“Is that your bad side?” asked Lincoln when Eli failed to take the picture. “Here, let me do it.” Before Eli could protest, Lincoln snatched the camera from his hands and snapped a picture. He turned from Eli to examine it.
“Your cheeks are red.” He glanced up at Eli. “Are you still cold?” Without waiting for an answer, Lincoln pulled the scarf from around his neck and wrapped it around Eli. “Is that better?”
Eli nodded dumbly, savoring Lincoln’s warmth as it radiated into his skin.
