The Holiday Handshake

I didn't expect a big old lump of coal in my stocking for Christmas this year, but that appears to be what I'm getting.

I'd been ready for a holiday proposal from my boyfriend of two years this December. Instead, he dumped me. Over the phone. While I was all dressed up with hair looking perfect and makeup on point for a fancy date with him.

What a waste. Of time. Of effort. Of two years of my life, hunting for my soulmate.

Now my holiday is ruined and I blew a huge chunk of change on a Twelve Dates of Christmas Challenge in my small town of Birchview, Vermont for which I no longer have a partner.

Unless my hot new neighbor across the street is willing to help me out.

If I can convince Sam to participate in a fake relationship with me and attend all twelve dates, I won't lose the money I spent on the challenge. I won't have to miss out on the holiday fun I love so much. I won't have to wallow over my non-engagement. My Christmas could be saved!

Sam will also benefit from this bargain. He's inherited his grandmother's house after her recent death and it needs renovations he can't afford right now. The prize from the date challenge includes cash and local home improvement services. He can have half the cash and all the services. Going on the dates might also boost his spirits and relieve his guilt over his grandmother's passing. He missed his last visit to see her and regrets not spending that time with her when he had the chance. Now she's gone and so is Sam's holiday cheer.  

Pretending to date each other could help us both out this Christmas, but once we start spending so much festive fun time together, there's only one problem with this handshake deal between us.

The fake dating? Yeah, it doesn't feel so fake. 

The Holiday Handshake is a small-town, fake-relationship, forced-proximity, holiday romance that proves you never know what Santa will bring you for Christmas.