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Holly’s red lips curl up into a sweet smile. “Yes, well, actually I can’t remember officially meeting for the first time. I’ve just sort of always known him.” A light pink blush crawls across her cheeks. “He’s my older brother’s best friend, so he was always around when I was growing up.”
“I knew I saw something there,” Denise says. “Nathan will be producing your segments. This is great news for everyone, pending, of course, that you two like each other.”
“We do.” The words leap out of my mouth before I can fully think through my reply. “We do.”
Two
Holly
It’s strange waking up at my mom’s house again for the first time in years. But moving home for this job just made sense. It’s not every day someone offers to turn your holiday baking blog into a video series.
I get to Station 1225 early the next morning for my first day of filming, and it’s thrilling. Growing up in Christmas Town left me with a healthy appreciation for all things holiday and the masterful set designers have turned the sound stage into a winter wonderland. But seeing Nathan again is the reason my heart won’t stop pounding.
I’ve been head over heels in love with Nathan Hamilton from afar since my middle school days. My brother Hudson and I grew up incredibly close, and he and Nathan were inseparable. I got to see Nathan daily and daydreamed about him when he wasn’t visiting.
I was in love with Nathan, but it was one-sided. I’m sure Nathan saw me only as a little kid, five years younger than he and Hudson, but determined to tag along. Even if he hadn’t, Nathan’s loyalty to Hudson would’ve meant that I was completely off-limits. Hudson’s always been the overprotective type.
When I turned to see Nathan yesterday, I was transported back in time. Time has only made him more handsome. Even under the bulky fur-lined Santa suit, his chiseled jawline and toned abs were still prominently on display. My heart skipped a beat and I couldn’t help but be filled with joy. The twinkle in his eyes lights my heart on fire. It feels like some sort of Christmas miracle that Nathan of all people is going to produce my segments.
I glance at my phone. I’m still early. Shaking my nerves out of my fingertips, I explore the set. The commitment to detail is jaw-dropping. Every inch of the room is draped in thin layers of white fabric with tiny twinkle lights running underneath. Christmas lights are strung overhead like stars around the room, creating a bright, cheery atmosphere.
Whimsical evergreens surround me. Their branches are heavy with the weight of a thousand paper snowflakes. A long, narrow table is positioned in the center of it all. At either end of my dreamy wonderland, two brave soldiers stand guard. The gorgeous backdrop makes my heart feel warm despite the blizzard raging outside.
In a way, the set reminds me of childhood Christmas’ spent at home. In our house, you could find warm fires crackling in the wood-burning stove, hot chocolate, and loads of family time all year round. But as the real holiday season grew close, my mom made sure our house was a fairyland of Christmas magic, just like this.
“What do you think?” Nathan’s deep voice startles me, and I turn in surprise.
He’s standing too close to me and the way he’s looking down at me sends goosebumps rippling across my arms. Nathan even smells familiar, like warm leather and spice. Working this closely with him might be more of a challenge than I expected.
“You snuck up on me.” I tuck my hair behind my ears. “It’s beautiful. I can’t believe all of this is for me. It’s like all the best parts of Christmas Town shrunk down.”
“Yeah, they do a good job. If I had known that the new on-air talent was you, I’d have insisted on a sugar cookie theme.” He runs a hand across the back of his neck. “This audience doesn’t know what they’re in for.”
My cheeks flush with heat. “You remember the sugar cookies?”
“Of course, the best part of the Christmas season.” He winks at me and I think I might melt. “I knew you were a blogger, but Hudson isn’t known for sharing a lot of details, so I lost track of you after you moved to the big city. It makes complete sense that you’d end up back here, spreading your Christmas baking cheer with the whole world.”
I let out a laugh. “I can’t say the same for you. Seeing you in a Santa suit and producing a show about holiday baking doesn’t quite check out. But you looked pretty at home in that sleigh yesterday.”
“Hey now, I’m still a Grinch in here, so don’t be spreading that around town.” He smiles and the deep-set dimple on his cheek reappears.
I know he’s teasing me, but Nathan’s always been intensely private. “Your secret is safe with me.” I bite my lower lip. “This should be a lot of fun to film.”
“Holly, I’m glad it’s you.”
Nathan puts a hand on my shoulder and gives it a gentle squeeze. There’s an energy bubbling between us and I wonder whether Nathan can feel it too or if I’m still the same awkward child falling in love with the cool kid on campus.
I open my mouth to ask him a million questions. I want to know how he’s been and where he lives. I want to know whether or not he’s single. I want to know if he is happy. But before I can get another word out, the door swings open.
A flurry of activity sweeps through the door as the camera crew arrives with equipment in tow. Glowy ring lights hang from their hands, bags laden with boom mics, and an air of anticipation buzzes into the sound stage. I recognize Gavin, the photographer from last night. The other faces are new to me, but not unfriendly.
Nathan seems to snap out of whatever smiley haze he was in. His mouth pulls into a straight line. Now the man means business. He folds his formidable arms across his chest and his voice is flat but authoritative.
Within minutes, he has the entire crew working like a well-oiled machine to light and mic the set. His confidence makes him even more appealing and I have to keep myself from openly staring like some sort of teenager at an NSYNC concert.
I struggle to focus on the task at hand. I should be rehearsing my script, but instead, I make a mental note to call Hudson and ask him to come to Mom’s for dinner tonight. There’s more than one way to find out about Nathan’s life and I’m not above feeding my brother a few white lies in exchange for details.
A half-hour passes before Nathan announces that we are ready for an official sound check. I swallow back my nerves and walk on shaky legs to the table in the center of the set. A boom mic is lowered over my head and white, hot lights illuminate my face. I blow out a deep breath and try not to squint into the brightness.
