Scent of Christmas (Love Hard/Holidate Crosover)

Scent of Christmas

"Can I suggest a candle as a gift option?" Bob motioned towards a display at the counter. "As you've said, you don't know what kind of sport he is into, so this is another option."

"I'm not sure," the young woman said. "I mean, I know he's sporty, so wouldn't something sporty be better."

"Let me guess," Bob lifted a finger into the air. "You're thinking candles aren't for men, yet this brand is specifically made for men, with scents specifically designed for us. My particular favorite—and I consider myself quite sporty—is the one called Grandpa because it smells like memories of grandpa, although in my case, it reminds me of my father. But there are other scents based around the things we men like doing. Or even their jobs, if you know what the young man's job is."

The young woman looked at the display, perusing the various candles. "Mowing the lawn?" She smiled. "Would that work for a golfer?"

"I thought you didn't know what kind of sport he likes?"

"Well, it's more of, I don't know what he already has, as he's supposedly a professional golfer, whatever that means."

"You know, you should be honest with him."

"Oh! No!" The woman lifted her hand. "I'm just not into the whole golf thing. We kind of met dating and all over the holidays."

"Sounds like my son," the man said. He leaned forward. "He's actually the one who designed these candles."

"Okay," she nodded her head. "I think I'll take the one for mowing the lawn and a few others for other family members, but he will have some chocolate golf balls to ruin his figure." She let out a laugh. "Oh. Sorry. It's an inside joke between the two." She then held out her hand. "The name's Sloane, by the way, and thank you for helping me pick out a gift."

"You are more than welcome."

"And yeah. Definitely going to go for the candles for everyone. I've got a brother, a father, a brother-in-law, a doctor-in-law, a friend-in-law—that's my guy's best pal. So, yeah. This is awesome."