The Enchanted Season — Bethany Sefchick

Welcome to Aphrodite's Closet â€" where fantasy becomes reality.

Ali Litton has known Nicholas Stone since her first day at college. Now, she's a grown woman with a very big problem. She's still a virgin and no one but Nick has the ability to get her all hot and bothered. Except that Nick views her as a friend and why wouldn't he? Ali â€" whose birth name just happened to be Zebulon Hortensia Theta Guantan Macklin Litton â€" has more issues than even the best shrink can handle, mostly thanks to her mother, Henry, even though she'd managed to work through most of them. Now it's Christmas and Henry has let Ali down once again. Can Nick come to the rescue and give Ali the perfect Christmas she's been longing for since childhood?

Nick Stone has loved Ali since the day he met her, quirks and all. But she's skittish and shy and he's terrified of making the making the wrong move and losing more than just her love but her friendship as well. Then, Ali's mom Henry, who has never celebrated a single holiday in her entire life, disappoints Ali once again. Now, Nick knows that he has to make it right. And what better way to do that than with a Christmas Eve proposal. If only he was certain that Ali loved him. That would make everything much easier.

This 10,400-word short story is written in the modern, adult romance style for a hotter read. It may not be appropriate for younger audiences.