Page 5 of Santa Daddy’s Accidental Little Helper

CHAPTER FIVE

Elaine

As soon as I was changed out of the elf uniform, I took a moment to examine myself in the mirror, wondering if I was truly ready for a dinner date with Henry. I had just worked a long shift as Santa's elf, and I looked as though I was about to pass out while still on my two feet. After running my fingers through my hair in order to help straighten it out, I took a deep breath and started towards the door of the bathrooms, trying to convince myself that this was still a good idea.

I truly did want to get to spend time with Henry, especially with how kind he had been to me all week. Out of everyone I had ever met in all my life, he was the only one who actually made me feel comfortable around him, and I didn’t want to ruin things between the two of us. After determining that the best thing to do would be to let him handle everything, I finally determined I was ready to head out and made my way back towards the break room.

By this point in time, the mall felt empty and practically abandoned, and I was intimidated by the eerie feeling I kept getting from it all. Hurrying back to the break room, I did everything I could in order to keep from worrying about what would happen if he had left me already. However, no matter how much I tried, I kept feeling the sense of worry clutch at my chest, demanding to be heard.

Once I was outside the break room, I took a deep breath and stared at the door for a moment, making sure that, when I returned to see Henry, he didn’t think that I was crazy or frightened by having been alone for as long as I had. Once I had finished catching my breath to calm my nerves, I opened up the door. The sight before me reawakened the worry I had just suppressed, and I leaned against the doorway, trying my best to make sure I didn't go into a full panic.

The break room was empty, and Henry was nowhere to be seen. Doing what I could to think of a logical explanation for his absence, especially after everything he had said before I left to change out of my uniform, I made my way back over to the lockers in order to put away the uniform I had been wearing. For all I knew, he had gone out to look for a quick snack or retrieve something from his car. Whatever he was doing, I was certain that he hadn’t abandoned me the way I was afraid he had.

“Are you almost ready?” asked Henry’s familiar voice as he appeared at the door to the break room, which I had left open. Startled by his sudden arrival, I whirled around to face him, and I saw the funny smile on his face as he spoke. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Taking a second to calm myself, I smiled back at him.

“Not quite,” I commented when I finally caught my breath, still a bit shaken from the way he had made me panic. “I got a little scared when I saw you were gone.” Raising an eyebrow at me, he tilted his head to the side.

“I just went to warm up my car,” he reassured me, his voice gentle and kind, almost like a father comforting his child. “I saw that snow was starting to fall, so I figured it would be better to make sure the car was ready so I could take us.” A little confused, I tilted my head to the side as I stared back at him.

“So, are we taking your car then?” I asked, and he shrugged.

“If you don’t mind,” he responded, keeping the conversation open. “I planned on making sure you were comfortable with it first, especially since I don’t know how good your car is in the snow.” Considering this for a moment, I started to nod my head in response.

It was a kind gesture he was making, and I was appreciative of his consideration towards my well being. These days, no one ever bothered to look out for each other, and he was the first to ever really think about me. Despite how thankful I was for his kind act, I still didn’t know what to do or think.

On one hand, part of me wanted to change its mind and ask to reschedule dinner, especially since it was convinced that something wasn’t quite right. Who in their right mind would go on their first date in the same car as the person they barely knew. For all I knew, he planned on spiriting me away, and I would never be heard from again. With the exception of Jessica, no one would ever think anything of it, either.

The other part of me still found his gesture to be kind, and I wanted to accept right away, putting my full trust in him without worrying about any of it. However, as I stood there, I started to wonder if there was something he wasn’t telling me. As far as I could tell, he was still acting differently from what I expected, and I couldn’t help but wonder if there was something I missed. His smile started to fade as he stared at me, seeming to grow concerned by my lack of response.

“Is everything alright?” he asked, his tone still light as he spoke. “Did I do something wrong?” Immediately, I shook my head in response.

“Of course not,” I reassured him. “I was just a bit distracted is all.” Holding up the elf costume, which was still in my hands, I continued. “I was trying to remember if I grabbed everything before leaving the bathroom. I don’t want to get into trouble for losing any portion of the costume.” Even though he didn’t seem fully convinced by this, he shrugged as he nodded in response.

“Do you need a second to check?” he asked. “I can bring the car around while I wait.” After remembering my previous reaction, he bobbed his head back and forth as he corrected himself. “Again, that’s if you’re comfortable with all this. It’s all up to you.” After considering his response, I nodded in agreement.

“Yes, please,” I replied, allowing a smile to spread across my face. “Give me a couple more minutes, and I think I’ll be ready to go.” As soon as the words left my mouth, he left the break room, and I turned my attention back to the task at hand as I thought about everything.

Some people would have called me crazy, especially after remembering everything that I had just been worried about. However, seeing no harm in the situation I was currently in, I made up my mind and finished putting away the costume. Once the costume was put away, I gathered my purse and coat, ready to see what the evening had in store for me.