“Yeah, we had the kids make ornaments after school last week. They each made one that represented their favorite Christmas or holiday song.”
“How sweet!” I crooned. I couldn’t wait to see all the trees. “So, I’ll stay tonight and keep the library open so that the teams can come in after hours and decorate their trees.”
“Are you sure?” Trent asked. “I’ll already be here. I can handle it.”
“As your boss, I see you as a capable leader and manager here at the library,” I said in a soft matter-of-fact way, “but as your friend, do you really think you can referee Ms. Patty and Ms. Pearl when they start going at it about extension cords and tinsel rules?”
“You’re right. That would be an awful way to die,” Trent said, wide-eyed. “But if you’re going to stay, at least come out with us and get a beer afterwards?”
I stood up and said, “Okay, that sounds nice. I’ll be in the back doing payroll. Then I’ll go to get some supplies for the trees out of the storage room.”
Trent clapped his hands and held them up. “Yes! You’re going to come out with us. Finally!”
“Oh, come on,” I protested. I crossed my arms. “I go out with you guys—sometimes.”
“Boss Lady, community events don't count.” Trent pointed a finger at me. “You’re becoming a bit of a hermit.”
“Okay, okay!” I said, feeling a smile creep across my face. Trent had a point, a very similar point to the one Veronica had made on the phone earlier today. I needed to get out there and be more social.
I headed back to my office. Even though I worked for several hours on the end-of-year reports, I kept zoning out while looking at the spreadsheets. Instead of focusing on the budget, I was thinking about how incredibly good William looked this morning in the kitchen. When we first met in the coffee shop, I’d noticed his jet-black hair, tan skin, and perfect green eyes, but this morning in the kitchen, when we were talking about my mom’s art, the expression on his face, anticipation, gave me a little flutter in my stomach. That’s why I called Veronica as soon as I left the house. I needed to admit to someone that I thought this new guy renting our spare room was hot, but that I was against everything he was trying to do in Creekstone.
I was so thankful when the end of the workday came around. I bolted from my desk and headed to the storage room, where I pulled out every tree stand, tree skirt, and random holiday decoration that I could find. I piled them onto a cart and brought them out into the library. Trent had put on a holiday playlist, and folks were arriving. Nick had taken over the circulation desk and was assigning each team a spot for their tree.
I brought the cart of extra supplies to Nick at the circulation desk.
“Good evening, Mayor,” I said pretending to salute. “Here are the extras from last year in case a team needs a tree stand or skirt.”
“Wonderful!” Nick said.
I spent the first part of the evening helping teams get their trees in the door, and the second part of the evening walking around appreciating everyone’s creativity and holiday spirit. Idecided to take photos of the teams as they decorated their trees. I laughed when I heard Ms. Patty was telling her team that too much tinsel was desperate, and Ms. Pearl was telling her team that the bow on the top of their tree needed to be bigger.
I headed toward the children’s section to take a photo of the team that was decorating the tree in that area of the library. As I was turning the corner, I ran into someone. We really slammed into each other, and I started to fall backwards, but two strong arms wrapped around me and caught me. Surprised, I looked up to see William.
“I’m so sorry,” he said. His face looked panicked. He helped me steady myself, and I couldn’t help but notice that his hand lingered on my waist for just a moment longer than necessary. Our eyes met. I felt breathless.
“Kit, are you okay?” William asked. He said again, “I’m so sorry. I was just helping this team move their tree, and I didn’t see you coming around that corner.”
“It’s okay.” I was stunned, but then it occurred to me that William was here at the library. “What are you still doing here? Are you on a Christmas Tree Team?”
“Yeah, actually, when I was talking to Nick earlier this week, he mentioned this competition and said some of the nonprofits needed help this year, so I offered to help out,” William said and then shoved his hands in his pockets, rocking back and forth on his heels. “So, I actually bought some decorations to donate while I was in Atlanta earlier this week for a team to use.”
“Huh,” I said. I crossed my arms. I couldn’t help myself. “This seems like a lot of work to close a deal. Do you do this for every deal you work?”
“I’m not doing this for the deal,” William said. “I’m trying to get involved in my community.”
“Yourcommunity.” That was rich. I rolled my eyes. Who did this guy think he was fooling? “You just moved here. It’s your literal first day here.”
William took a deep breath and tilted his chin back. He said slowly, as if he was having to exercise a lot of patience, “Well, you can question my motives all you want, Kit, but the truth is I live in Creekstone now. In fact, I live with you. So, if you’re done giving me a warm welcome, I need to get the rest of my decorations out of my car.”
I felt a surge of regret. What was wrong with me? Why was I being so rude to this guy? Just because I didn’t trust him didn’t mean I should be a different person.
“Wait, wait.” I waved my hands in front of me to stop him. As he tried to walk past me, one of my hands touched his chest. I looked up and our eyes met. William raised his eyebrow the way he did when he was amused, but this time he wasn’t smiling, and I pulled my hand back quickly. I took a deep breath and composed myself. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I keep being so rude to you. It’s not like me. I’m going to be nicer.”
“It’s okay. I guess I just bring out the best in you,” William said with a little smile and a wink as he walked past me toward the circulation desk.
Did he just wink at me?I rolled my eyes. He was handsome and charming, but I wasn’t going to give in to this. I needed to see him for what he was: a businessperson trying to close a deal that could ruin our town.
I spent the next hour or so helping teams get their trees set up. Trent cranked the Christmas music up to pump up the holiday spirit, and several of the teams had brought holiday sweets and treats to share. When the tree decorating was done, Trent came to let me know it was time to lock up.
