Page 29 of Deck the Hauls

“I’ll grab us a drink,” Dana said. “What do you feel like? Water, hot chocolate, apple cider?”

While hot chocolate wasn’t known for its hydrating qualities, the sweet scent of chocolate wafting from the stall was too delicious to ignore.

“A hot chocolate would be great, thank you,” I said, wiggling my toes and shooting Dana a grateful smile.

Dana returned a minute later with two paper cups full of hot chocolate.

“Thank you!” I took a sip, and the rich, warm liquid chocolate flooded my tastebuds.

We sat in silence, watching skaters swirl around on the ice in time to “​​Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”, as we sipped our drinks. The music switched to “All I Want for Christmas is You”.

Dana shot me a look, and I realized I’d been singing it under my breath.

“I know you’re not a fan of Christmas, but surely you don’t dislike this song?”

Dana snorted. “Are you serious? It’s the most overplayed, overrated Christmas song out there. For months leading up to Christmas, it’s blasting everywhere you go. It’s impossible to escape.”

I should change my ringtone before Dana heard it.

“I love the constant reminders that Christmas is just around the corner.” I grimaced. “I’m sorry, tonight must be torture for you then. I’m pretty sure they’ve played it three times since we’ve been here.”

“Four,” Dana corrected. “It’s fine, though. I love ice-skating and hot chocolate, and I’ve just been trying to block everything else out.” She waved her hand at the Christmas tree.

I wiped some whipped cream from my lips. “Can I ask you about the Christmas thing? Have you always disliked it?”

Dana shook her head. “No. I loved it when I was a kid. And I enjoyed it in my teens and most of my twenties too, but then…” Dana paused. “Life happened and it lost its charm. I lost my dog on Christmas Day a few years ago and then... Other stuff happened as well.”

Her eyes dropped to the white marshmallow floating in the mug she was clasping with two hands. She picked it up between two fingers and put it in her mouth with an air of finality.

“That’s rough. I’m sorry.”

I got so much joy from the holiday season that it was hard to think of anyone losing that. Sure, nothing would beat the excitement I’d felt as a kid on Christmas morning, running down the stairs as fast as I could to open my Christmas stocking, overeating delicious almond cookies and panettone, and playing all afternoon with my cousins and new toys, but I’d never stopped loving this time of year. Being with family, enjoying incredible food and each other’s company, was my favorite part of the year.

I wrapped my hands around the cup, enjoying the warmth on my skin. Perhaps if Dana had some good Christmas-related experiences, it could help counteract the bad? The thought of trying to help Dana rekindle her love of Christmas was unexpectedly appealing. I took another sip of the thick creamy hot chocolate.

Dana ran her hand over the table, tracing a slight imperfection, before gazing up at me. “Hey, if you don’t mind me asking… How come you haven’t filmed anything since Clique?”

I shifted my weight on the metal chair. I usually fudged the answer to this question, but to my surprise my first instinct was to be honest. “My official answer is that I had a break from acting to focus on family and voice-over work. My unofficial answer is that I pissed off someone very powerful in Hollywood and he blacklisted me. I don’t know exactly how he did it, but one day my agent was fielding calls from casting directors and producers interested in working with me following Clique, and then the next day, all the calls dried up.”

The hot chocolate turned heavy in my stomach. Had I really just said that out loud? I hadn’t even told my family the truth.

“Shit. I’m sorry. That’s terrible.”

I managed a weak smile. “Yeah, it sucked. But I’m working again, which is a huge relief, even if HolLove might not be my first choice.”

“Hopefully it will at least get your foot back in the door.”

“That’s the plan.” I gave a small smile, relieved that Dana wasn’t pushing to find out more. “I’d appreciate if you didn’t mention that to anyone—it’s not common knowledge.”

Yet. Unless I agreed to speak to Rebecca. My smile vanished.

Phillip would keep harassing women, keep ruining their lives like he’d ruined mine, unless someone stopped him. I gripped my coffee cup. There was no point dwelling on it tonight. Tonight was about learning how to ice skate. I could worry about Phillip and Rebecca tomorrow.

“Of course. And I know it doesn’t count for much, but I thought you were incredible in Harrowgate. And I’m even more impressed now that I know you—and see how different you are from your character.”

Some of the heaviness lifted. “Thank you.”

Dana tilted her head. “What drew you to acting? I don’t know any other actors, and it certainly wasn’t a career that my school guidance counsellor had on her list.”