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“Oh,” Annie said. “That’s why you wanted to have dinner together?”

“Of course. I know profits have been down for both of them, and I simply saw a timely business opportunity and wanted to bring it forward,” Eve said simply. “Back home, we have a Michelin-star chef who creates all of our culinary Christmas cookies, but I thought here in Simsbury, perhaps this could be the beginning of providing more opportunities for the bakery.”

“Huh,” Annie said, processing her thoughts out loud. “That’s a smart idea. I hope the meeting went well,” Annie said, impressed to see Marsha’s business brain shining through.

“Thank you.” Eve beamed. “Economics was one of my many higher learning degrees,” she said with a smile of humility. “Bailey arrived with Nick, but they certainly did not appear to be together in any kind of romantic sense, and I’m very good at spotting such things. Bailey isn’t his rightful match.” Eve finished matter-of-factly. “Because you’re his match, Annie. You two make magic,” Eve finished strongly.

“Whoa,” Annie said slowly. “You gave me goosebumps with that one.”

Eve laughed.

“Magic?” Annie asked, her voice thin and wavering.

“Magic,” Eve confirmed. “Look,” Eve whispered, pointing to someone behind the Christmas tree corner. “You summoned him.” Eve gave Annie a conspiratorial wink before nudging her forward.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Annie saw Nick up ahead, in a discussion with someone hidden by a hedge.

“I’ll leave you to it,” Eve told Annie, eyeing Ferguson, who was walking right behind them. “Let’s depart in pursuit of love.”

And before Annie could utter a response, Eve and Ferguson slipped away behind a corner, rerouting their maze journey. Nick was in a hushed conversation with Felix, and as she approached, neither seemed to notice her. She crept closer, curious to hear what they could be discussing.

“This isn’t what I wanted,” Nick murmured. “Can’t you help?”

“I just rang the bell, the rest is in your hands,” Felix answered.

“Tell me what I’m supposed to do. Please,” Nick begged.

Felix turned to catch Annie’s approach and let out his infamous “ho ho ho.” Nick turned to see Annie, and his face morphed from one of surprise to one of forced calm. Felix took the opportunity to leave by soundlessly easing himself between a hedge, disappearing à la Homer Simpson into the bushes.

“All okay?” Annie asked Nick after Felix had disappeared completely from view, curious what discussion she had walked in on. “What were you two talking about?”

“Oh, just Felix being Felix,” Nick dismissed before explaining, “I lost Bailey somewhere a few turns back because I kept stopping to admire the artistry. Isn’t this incredible?” Nick marveled, and Annie couldn’t help but laugh at his childlike wonder, though he had good reason; their surroundings were indeed incredible.

“Did you get alone time with Chris?” Nick asked as Annie said, “How was dinner?” and then they both stopped to laugh before saying, “You go” at the same time, followed by both saying, “Jinx” at the same time. Annie gave Nick a playful push and laughed. “Seriously, you go first. How was your dinner date?” Annie asked.

“I’m not sure we’d call it a date,” Nick began.

“No almost kiss, then?” Annie asked, and Nick shook his head no. “Did you at least get a good meal?”

“Actually, I don’t know how to answer that. The weirdest thing happened—” Nick started.

“Did your meal disappear?” Annie gasped.

“I don’t even remember getting it,” Nick explained. “It was like we were waiting, I blinked, and then our empty plates were being taken away.”

“Same!” Annie told him. “Oh, my gosh, I’m so glad it wasn’t just me.” Annie turned left and realized they were at the end of the maze, an enormous Christmas tree waiting for them. Next to it was a basket with a sign reading, “We were rooting for you—what a tree-mendous job!”

The tree was classically adorned with countless small white snowflake lights, and Annie thought it was spectacular, admiring the delicate lace snowflake ornaments placed thoughtfully around the branches, made even more pleasant by the distinct pine scent.

“Chris is talented,” Nick said, doing his own appreciative loop around the tree.

“Do you think he did all this?” Annie asked. “How could one man who has a teaching job and a child do everything? Do people sleep here? How does it work? Oh, and Felix was definitely giving off some vibes tonight. His eyes were extra twinkly and Santa-like … and he mentioned something about the sky being full of wishes and asking what I wanted for Christmas …”

“That doesn’t seem that out of character,” Nick answered, avoiding eye contact.

“It was a vibe, Nick. We need to trust the vibe. What were you guys talking about over there anyway?” Annie asked again.