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I don’t know what to say. My silence seems to spur him on.
“My dad died when I was five and ever since, she’s been sad. I hear her cry in the kitchen at night sometimes. I don’t want her to cry anymore. Can you help her be happy?”
I swallow down some fear that this request is even above my pay grade.
“Santa? Can you do that?” I must be silent for longer than he can stand.
I shake from the distress that courses through me like a slithering snake. “I’ll see what I can do, Nyck. Now you go back inside and get some sleep. I hope you feel better soon.”
His head tips with a question, but he only says, “Thanks.”
I’ve let some information from his mother out, but I open the front door to usher him back in. Before he goes, he rushes me with a hug. I stiffen just a little before melting into the small boy’s gesture.
He turns back when inside the door. “Tell your elves I say hi!”
I laugh. “Will do.”
“Bye, Santa.”
“Bye, Nyck.”
I wait for the wooden door to shut and the lock to click before stepping in front of the video camera again. “You still there?”
“Yeah.” Her voice is now tight like an overtightened guitar string.
“I’m guessing you’re Mom?” My painted white brows rise with the question.
She sniffles. “Yeah. I didn’t know he could hear me crying.”
My heart reaches out to her, like I want to wrap her in my arms and take every pain away. My mom was a single mom, too. I know how she struggled. It was part of the reason why I worked so hard, so she didn’t have to struggle anymore. And now she travels the world and has everything her heart desires.
But my heart desires something right now…
“Is there anything I can do to help?” I don’t want to be too forward and misread the room.
There’s a long pause, but I hear her clear her throat. “Santa, would you like to go on a date?” She giggles. “I mean, if there’s no Mrs. Claus.”
My heart leaps in my chest.
“There’s no Mrs. Claus and yeah, this Santa would love to take you out for dinner, Nyck’s mom.”
“Sonnet,” she answers.
“And I’m Jasper.”
“Nice to meet you, Jasper.”
Maybe I can fulfill Nyck’s wish after all.
CHAPTER3
SONNET
I can’t effing believeI’m going out with Santa? I don’t even know this man.
Jasper. Jasper who?
I put on another layer of mascara, something I haven’t worn in a long time.
