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“What are those for?” Maye asked.

“We’re all doing a group photo with the cast of Love Under Construction on Broken Heart Avenue, duh,” Tracy said.

“Oh. Of course, silly me,” Maye looked around. “Well, I think I’m gonna walk around and check this place out.”

“No, no, you can’t go yet,” Tracy pleaded. “When they open for pictures, they start with a tree lighting. You can’t miss the tree lighting!”

“Okay, fine,” Maye agreed as the line began to inch forward.

She followed Tracy and the construction crew to a spot a few rows back from the center of the stage where the tree was set up. The tree wasn’t even lit yet and it already looked incredible. It must have been nearly twenty feet tall, as it was still more than double the size of some of the tallest actors who were making their way onto the stage. Maye spotted Chris as he climbed the steps and settled in next to Marcus and Alec. Chris laughed when he noticed the ladies in the construction vests, and he waved when he recognized Tracy among the crew. Maye could see his eyes darting around looking for her, and his smile grew when their eyes met. He blew her a kiss. This did not go unnoticed among the construction ladies, nor the people around Chris. Marcus, Alec, and even Ashley also blew kisses to Maye while Chris’s cheeks reddened so much they nearly matched his lumberjack flannel.

“Alright everyone,” a man wearing a ‘Santa’s Top Elf’ shirt announced. “Gather round. It’s time to light this tree!”

The audience cheered as the emcee cupped his ear, egging them on.

“Who should flip the switch?” He shouted.

Shouts from the fan groups muddled the cheers until finally, Ashley emerged from the lineup.

“I think I can handle this,” she said as she stepped up to a three-foot tall lever.

“Okay everyone,” the emcee said. “Let’s countdown together. 5…4…3…2…1!”

Ashley cranked the oversized lever until the tree shone as bright as sunlight reflecting off freshly fallen snow.

“And now,” the emcee shouted over the applause, “a special acoustic performance of the 1914 Ukrainian chant, ‘The Little Swallow,’ by the one and only Paul Greene!”

The music was a soundtrack as the actors on-stage dispersed and started towards their photo booths.

“Alright, we have to hustle to get in line now,” Tracy said. “Maye, this is where we leave you. Godspeed.” Tracy and the rest of the construction crew rushed off to join a photo line.

Around Maye, people rushed in all directions to get the best spot they could in line for a photo op. Actors were already corralled in their photo booths and snapping smiley pictures with enthusiastic fans. Some offered gifts, like customized beaded bracelets, others brought mementos to have signed, liked DVDs or posters. Someone who had been designated the “Christmas Aficionado” actually recognized Maye and asked her to sign a custom wooden sign he was collecting signatures on.

She found Chris’s photo line and joined. After smiling at the camera for a photo, he spotted her and smiled a real, genuine smile. He whispered something to the handler who was assigned to his booth, and they found Maye at the back of the line.

“Excuse me, Miss?” they said. “Mr. Walker would like you to join him for a moment.

She looked up towards Chris and he waved for her to come.

“Excuse me,” Chris announced to people waiting in his line. “Could I have your attention for just one minute? This is Maye. Can you all say hi to Maye?”

“Hi Maye,” the group collectively responded.

“That was beautiful,” Chris said. “You might remember Maye from a certain viral livestream in July?”

A few whoops were audible from the line.

“Well,” Chris continued, “we are premiering something special tomorrow night and I really want you all to attend. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun. Maye is supposed to be there, too. Maye, will you be there?”

“I will do my best to be there,” she played along.

“I sure hope so, you are morally and contractually required to be.”

“Can anyone be morally required to be somewhere?” Maye challenged.

“Okay, let’s save some of this for the show.” Chris grabbed Maye’s hand and held both of their arms in the air, gently waving to the crowd.

He pulled her in for a hug. “It’s so nice to see you,” he whispered in her ear. “I’ll try to sneak some time with you but I’m pretty busy during the con hours.”