Page 55 of Love Song, Take Two

*eyeroll emoji* I believe someone else did the rejecting.

Erin

Only because you looked distracted.

How long has she been in town?

Fletcher

She lives here, is from here.

Erin

What’s her name?

Fletcher

Nope. Don’t need you looking her up and finding all kinds of reasons why I should stay away.

Erin

Whaaaaaat? I’d never do that.

Fletcher

Sure, whatever you say.

My break’s almost over, so I’m gonna go.

Erin

I can’t believe you still do this. Hank would be so impressed.

Fletcher

That’s why I keep doing it.

After staring at the picture for a few more minutes, Fletcher tossed his hot cocoa cup and napkins into the trash, then sent the picture to Micah. With a wide smile on his face, Fletcher grabbed Portia and Kyle so the three of them could head back out. The minute he slipped the coat back on, he was suddenly swarmed by tons of kids. Even if he thought it was high time parents stopped perpetuating the idea that Santa was real, he was really happy when kids were excited about Santa. It did mean he made a little more money for a few weeks in December and that was nothing to sniff at.

“Hi Santa,” a soft voice said, interrupting his thoughts. “Can I get a picture?”

Fletcher looked down at the tiny ball of fluff grinning up at him and chuckled. “Absolutely.” He squatted beside the kid and flashed his biggest smile as their parent took a picture. With that done, Fletcher waved at the kid and stood back up, all his bones and muscles protesting.

“Yo, rockstar. Lemme get in on a selfie.” A teenager sidled up to him and threw an arm around his shoulders as they stuck a hand out with their phone. Fletcher grimaced as the picture was taken and then grunted once the kid was gone.

“I can be your personal security if you want, Mr. Kelley.”

Fletcher turned to Kyle with a deadpan expression. “We talked about this, Kyle. It’s either Fletcher or Santa, none of that Mr. Kelley bullshit.”

“Does that mean I can be your personal security?” Kyle asked, almost like he missed the point of what was said.

Sighing heavily, he shook his head. “I’m good, Kyle. But thanks for the offer.”

“I was thinking—” Portia bounced around to walk backwards in front of Fletcher “—maybe you could hold fort at the fountain for a few hours, that way everyone can come find you.”

“That’s not a bad idea.”

“Then I can get my friends to help out with security too,” Kyle added and Fletcher realized it was pointless trying to explain this to the kid.

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