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“Test.” My voice wobbles. “Test. Test.”
The sound tech gives a thumbs up.
Nathan nods in return. “We’re good. Okay, Holly, I’m going to count you in. The light is there. Let’s give the intro a try.” He points, his movements sharp and swift. “Three, two…”
The red bulb illuminates, and I smile from ear to ear. “Hello, I’m Holly Sinclair, baker, and Christmas cookie enthusiast. Today I’m going to teach you how to make a Grinchy sugar cookie that will have even the biggest Scrooge in your life, asking for more.”
I hold my stare and keep my smile plastered on until the little red light disappears.
“Good—” Nathan starts, but Gavin cuts him off.
“Do it again.” Gavin sounds less than impressed as he shouts at me from behind the blinding lights.
“Okay.” I exhale, trying to release my nerves.
“Gavin.” Nathan’s head turns on a swivel and he shoots Gavin a warning look that makes the room fall silent. Then he looks back at me. “Holly, we’re going to get a few takes, no matter what. We’re looking at lighting and angles, but you’re doing great. When you’re ready.”
My shoulders fall back, the comfort in Nathan’s words swirling around me. “I’m ready.”
“In three, two…” Nathan counts me down with a tender sincerity that makes it easier to breathe.
We repeat the process for the next hour. With each take, my confidence grows. Gavin chimes in a few times with largely unhelpful feedback. But before I can respond, Nathan takes control.
When we finally break, I step off the sound stage in search of my water bottle. I don’t find it, but I do find a mirror. When I investigate it, I reassure myself of some truths. I’m not an expert yet. This job is going to work out. Once I get more comfortable, it’s going to be a lot of fun. Nathan is attractive, but I am an adult and I can keep my wits about me. Moving home was the right choice. I’m reapplying my lipstick and smoothing my hair in the mirror when Nathan appears behind me.
He hands me my metal water bottle, decorated with Christmas stickers. “Nice work out there. I figured this was yours. The stickers gave you away.”
I let out a giggle. “Thank you. I was looking for that.” I take the bottle and the cool water settles my stomach.
“Do you want to come over and take a look at some of the playbacks?”
“Of course.”
I follow Nathan toward the camera. My arm brushes the side of his as we walk and charges the space between us with an intoxicating flicker of electricity. My breath catches in my throat. He plays take after take, and I internally cringe at the awkward faces I make in the camera.
“Ugh, I don’t think there’s a person on the planet who likes the sound of their own voice.” I let out a laugh at my own expense. “What do you think?”
Nathan pauses, his fingers rewinding the footage time and time again. When he opens his mouth to speak, his eyes never leave the screen. “I think you’re beautiful.”
Three
Holly
We filmed until the setting sun coming in through the windows cast a golden hue over everything. Throughout the day, I couldn’t stop my gaze from drifting to Nathan. But to my surprise, more often than not, he was already staring at me.
I can’t let myself read too much into it. I’m a grown woman now. But it does feel important to note that Nathan hasn’t mentioned a girlfriend, not that he would have a reason to mention her. Besides, there’s no way a man like him could be single. Still, we sat together during breaks on set and he didn’t say a single word about his personal life. Every time his hand grazed mine, electricity sparked through me.
By the time I left, I was floating. On the way back to my mom’s house, my mind worked through a million images. I pictured myself as a middle schooler at Hudson’s birthday party squealing as Nathan tossed me in the pool. I see the countless hours spent sitting in the stadium at our local high school watching Hudson and Nathan play football. I see Nathan the Christmas after his mother passed, sitting stoic in front of our fireplace. He’s there in the background of all my memories.
But then, the memories stop. I left for college, determined to get out of Christmas Town and make a name for myself. I always thought I’d come back, but when graduation rolled around, I never made it. It’s ironic. I thought the big city would make my dreams come true. Yet it took moving back here to bring them into reach. I wonder what or who else this town has in store for me.
Now I’m home and helping Mom set the table for dinner. I thought I’d be desperate to find my place, but that isn’t the case. Staying with Mom has been nice, and I know she loves the company. I imagine it’s been much quieter around here with dad gone.
“Here we go. Take these over please.” Mom hands me a stack of cloth napkins rolled and secured with golden napkin rings that have tiny snowflakes imprinted into the metal.
I count the place settings around the table. I know Hudson is coming over, but who is the additional seat for? Please be Nathan.
I drop my voice to a casual tone. “Who’s all coming for dinner tonight?” I hold my breath, waiting for her reply.
