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“Cool?” Annie laughed. “Aw, you sweet, delusional nerds … but, honestly, I probably did, I could have used more sweetness back then, I was a tad sour.”
“I don’t remember you like that,” Nick admitted, and Annie turned to take him in. This kind boy who had grown up into such a kind man. She wondered how in the world a person like this managed to live in an actual “big city” and remain so pure and down to earth, as he showed no signs of hardness and was earnestly soft and inviting.
“Oh, Nick, you’ve seen sides of me that I should probably feel embarrassed about, and I appreciate you not bringing any of them up,” Annie deflected. “But I am trying to be a better person,” Annie continued, putting the words out into the world and willing them to stick. She could admit that now, she truly wanted to be the person everyone in this fictional town thought she was, the person with an important job who took time to volunteer for the school play and dress up like Mrs. Claus and simply be a piece in this bright puzzle. It had all felt so strange, sure, but it had been nice and lovely too.
“Well, for the record, I’ve always found you to be a pretty solid person,” Nick said, softly brushing his shoulder against Annie’s. Another heated zing.
“You’ve always been such a charmer. No wonder Bailey wants to bone you so badly,” Annie said before she could stop herself.
“I don’t know about that,” Nick said, brushing off the idea.
“Oh, I do,” Annie answered, ignoring the incessant pulse of her honest interest in also boning Nick.
“How about you and Chris? Was he the last guy you were with?” Nick asked shyly.
“If you could call it that, I guess,” Annie snorted. “I was lonely and he was there, until he wasn’t.”
“My last serious relationship ended a few months ago because she was picked to be on The Bachelor,” Nick said nonchalantly.
“Really? How far did she get?” Annie asked.
“I don’t know, she signed an NDA,” Nick shrugged. “But we’re still good friends. She asks me to pet sit while she was gone. I love her dog.”
Annie stared in disbelief until she couldn’t help but laugh. Nick and all of his multitudes felt more unreal than the very universe they were currently sharing.
“You’re probably friends with all of your exes, huh?” Annie asked, and Nick mulled it over before answering.
“Yeah, I guess so. I never had to deal with a dramatic breakup scene or any tragic end to a relationship. Usually, things simply fizzled and we mutually agreed we’d be better off as friends.”
“Okay, but most people don’t actually stay friends,” Annie responded.
“Really?” Nick asked, sounding doubtful.
“You’re a more evolved and kinder person than the rest of us,” Annie admitted, and Nick let out a small chuckle. “I’m serious. You’re the kind of person who probably buys razors marketed to women because you feel bad about the pink tax,” Annie joked before seeing Nick’s serious expression.
“Well, yeah, I do find the price differences ridiculous. But the women’s products tend to mean it when they say ‘sensitive’ and a lot of the products geared for men irritate my skin,” Nick explained as Annie stared back, dumbfounded. “Well, thank you for the rave review. Want to be my reference for my upcoming job interview?”
“What interview?” Annie asked.
“I haven’t told anyone,” Nick admitted. “I get a little superstitious and didn’t want to jinx it. I’m being considered for a position in Hartford, at the Bushnell, right after the New Year. With my siblings both in the Bay Area these days and since our parents don’t get back until after my interview, I didn’t want to mention it to my family unless I had good news …”
“Moving back to Connecticut would be good news then?” Annie asked. “You wouldn’t miss all that big-city living? What will the bagels think about this blatant betrayal?” Annie said.
“Oh, I love big-city living, for sure. The food options, the people-watching, plus all the theater—”
“Nerd alert,” Annie fake-coughed.
“But I feel like I’m Peter Pan-ing there. I still have three roommates because moving to a studio at this point would deplete all of my savings, and for what? So I can cram into a tiny place alone every night? I’m ready to try something else. Set my roots and all that,” Nick started as the lights of the theater flickered, and Annie and Nick looked up in unison. Something about Nick wanting to “set roots” also flickered in Annie—hadn’t she thought something similar?
“We should probably finish this up in case the power goes out, I don’t want us to get stuck in the dark,” Nick said, standing up to review their work and spraying it with a sealant as Annie quickly washed their brushes.
They switched the lights off and made their way back through the quiet corridors as the automatic lights continued to flicker. Once they were back outside the school, the festival across the way had been closed and completely put away for the night; it was dark and devoid of movement. Not a single person was anywhere to be seen. It started snowing again, though the flakes didn’t feel cold or bothersome. But it seemed they were still no closer to escaping this made-for-TV Christmas movie.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
It was another dreamless sleep before the daylight woke her. Annie’s suitcase had provided a sweater dress in a blush pink color today; it was still closer to white than to pink, but it brought out the rosy color in Annie’s cheeks and lips without her having to apply makeup. Annie was also thrilled to see a new pair of rose-gold, sequined Ugg-like booties in her suitcase and a pair of sheer tights.
“A break from heels? Well done, suitcase,” Annie said approvingly, wondering if perhaps her wardrobe keeper had similar power to the characters in the Beast’s castle from Beauty and the Beast and would eventually sing out, teaching her an important lesson through song. Annie took one last look at herself and walked downstairs to see Chris waiting on her doorstep. He looked clean-shaven and was holding a midsized basket with a tiny green wreath hanging off the handle. She opened the door to greet him.
