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“I was thinking we could serve reindeer meatloaf next year, along with purple potato salad and elf-ear cookies,” Carol said.
“Sure, whatever you need, we’ll make it happen,” Joy agreed, her attention still fixed on the man concealed beneath the Santa suit.
When Carol cracked up laughing, Joy’s attention shifted to her. “I just said we should have reindeer meatloaf and elf-ear cookies, and you agreed.”
Embarrassed, Joy grimaced. “I’m sorry. My attention was elsewhere.”
“Like on the man in the red suit?” Carol asked, one brow raised. “Couldn’t help but notice how active he’s been in Snowcap Ridge this year. Wonder why.”
“He’s wrapping up Lorelei’s estate,” Joy answered, keeping the conversation business-focused. “He’ll return to the office after the new year.”
“I’ll believe that when I see it,” she muttered. “I wanted to give you a chance to take a picture of the booth before everyone starts leaving, if that’s something you’d like for the mall archives.”
“I’ll take one for future reference. We don’t do charitable giving for the press, though. That’s not our thing.”
“Oh, I know,” Carol said, waving her words away. “I just meant in case you want to keep records of how you set things up, including what worked and what didn’t. We’re doing the same thing, so when I’m not around, the new person has a roadmap to follow, so to speak.”
“Are you going somewhere?” Joy asked, snapping a picture of the beautifully decorated booth. There were bows and fairy lights everywhere, making her smile.
“Not right now, but I’m not getting any younger,” Carol said, bumping shoulders with Joy. “My age gives me express written consent to give you a piece of advice, as someone thirty years my junior.”
Joy turned and raised an eyebrow, curious to hear what Carol had to say. She had no doubt she already knew the advice.
“Don’t get so wrapped up in the demands of the job that you miss out on all the other wonderful things in life. Sometimes those things come when we’re least expecting them and least prepared to grab hold and hang on tight. But regrets are the last thing you want at the end of your life. Your past with Kian Van Adler can be the past if you’re willing to give him a chance to show you who the present and future Kian is.”
Tilting her head, Joy blinked twice at the woman. “How do you know about my past with Kian?”
“Lorelei,” they both said in unison, and it made them laugh.
“We were great friends and did a lot of charity work together. That said, I also remember your high school years and how truly awful he was to everyone. That’s not the man I see anymore. The fact that he’s been sitting up there in a Santa suit for hours tells me the old Kian is long gone, and the new one is worth a second chance.”
Joy smiled. “I couldn’t agree more.” After waving goodbye to Carol, she turned and walked toward the sleigh holding the man who might be the best Christmas present she’d ever received.
33
#IsawSantakissingtheGM
When Kian stripped off his Santa suit, he was dripping with sweat. Joy gave him the key to her apartment, so he could take a quick shower. Thankfully, he had an extra set of clothes. Now, twenty minutes later, he was back on the mall floor, helping them clean up. The night had gone incredibly well, with only a few hitches that they sorted out easily, without any drama. While he’d thought of the idea, Marci had fleshed it out and made it happen.
“Hey,” August said, walking up to him. “We’re almost cleaned up. Joy went back to the office to sort out the sales for each business, while Marci and I are overseeing the cleanup here. I’m surprised you stayed. I figured you’d head home to shower and rest. That was a lot of hours in a golf cart.”
“You’re not kidding,” Kian said, stretching his back. “I used Joy’s shower to get back down here and help sooner. I didn’t realize she was in her office.”
“You used Joy’s shower?” August asked, his mouth slightly agape. “I didn’t see that coming.”
“She wasn’t in it with me,” Kian said, laughing at his friend’s expression of pure shock. “Not that I’d be complaining about that.”
August shoved him back into an alcove. “Have you told her yet?”
Kian glanced over August’s shoulder to make sure no one was around, then shook his head. “You know I can’t. As the estate manager, I have to honor Mom’s wishes. Joy can’t find out until Christmas Eve.”
“I understand, but it’s easy to see that you and Joy are growing closer. I’m worried she’ll be upset when she finds out you’ve been lying to her this whole time.”
“Honestly, same. The struggle is real, but until the lawyer hands me the letter on Christmas Eve, I can’t even give her my mom’s reasons for leaving her half the mall. Sure, I know what she told me in my letter, but I don’t know what Joy’s letter will say.” He shrugged. “It isn’t my place to guess.”
“Do you think that when Lorelei decided to split the mall between you two, she thought you’d be shagging the GM before Christmas?”
“August, keep your voice down!” Kian exclaimed, annoyed with his friend for being crude. “And I’m not shagging her. What is this, the ’70s? We’ve kept it platonic.”
