Page 32 of Wrap Me Up

“Oh.” My eyes dart to the clock on the far wall. “Hadn’t noticed. Jolly and I have been working on the competition piece, then Snow showed up and I needed to get him situated.”

“Go. Enjoy your lunch.” Snow waves us off. “I’m good to go, ate lunch before coming over.”

“Thanks, Snow. For everything.”

I take Noel’s offered hand, and he leads me from the mailroom. Everyone from the studio is already at lunch themselves and I’m so grateful Noel thought to come get me.

His palm is so warm. His black slacks make his butt look amazing. The red polo shirt spreads across his back nicely. It’s still warm outside and I breathe in the North Pole scents of baked goods and sugar sweetness. I don’t know how any elf can resist, though I know several that leave once they retire in ripe old age. Even the original Santa left us. But it doesn’t matter. For me, the North Pole is home, and as long as Noel is here, I doubt I’ll ever leave.

As soon as we enter Cookie Cafe, the air is even sweeter. The glass display case already has fingerprints from dozens of children pressing their noses to it today already. I’m tempted to be one of them, but refrain. While the cafe specializes in cookies, they also have the best deli sandwiches in the entire North Pole.

I order a caprese salad wrap. They grow their own tomatoes and make their own mozzarella. Anytime I come here, it’s my go-to food. Noel orders a BLT. While we wait, we munch on a cookie sample, maple rolls over my tongue, and there’s the added crunch of pecans.

“Are you having a good day?” Noel asks as we walk our lunch over to a far corner.

“It’s been an excellent day, and eating lunch with you just makes it better.” I stuff the end of the wrap in my mouth and moan into the bite.

“I really love watching you enjoy good food.” He winks, then bites into his sandwich. As we eat, he tells me about what he’s learned in the history books I gave him. His eyes light up as he talks about the North Pole. “It’s fascinating. The reindeer used to eat so much of a special magical herb brought by the original Santa and that’s how they got the ability to fly. They ended up making the herb extinct, but by then, the ability was passed down to the offspring.”

“I had no idea. I wonder if Snow knows.” We’ve been done with our lunch for a while and just talking when I look at the clock on the wall. “Holly berries! We’re going to be late getting back.” I stand up so fast, my chair clatters to the floor and I have to set it upright again.

“Everything is going to be okay, Tinsel. But just in case it’s not, let’s get cookies for everyone.”

“Good call.” Not that I would get in trouble, no, the worse for me will be the joking from my elves. We order enough to appease the masses. I follow Noel out the door and into the rush of elves going about their day. “I’ll see you tonight.”

Noel grabs me by the harness. I love when he does that. He pulls me down and kisses me. As much as I’d like to make out, we don’t have time if he’s going to make it back to work without being reprimanded.

“See you tonight, Tinsel.” Noel gives me a sweet little kiss on the nose, then turns and leaves me holding my bag of cookies and the desire to follow him. But we all have work to do.

Chapter 18

Noel

Since the tree lighting ceremony is in the working sectors, Tinsel and I decided to meet at his apartment and leave from there. On my way down the gumdrop and candy cane path, I’m met with carolers dressed in their winter best. Long wool skirts and thick coats, ear muffs. All in bright holiday colors and sparkles. The temperature has dipped a smidgen, but not much. Snow warned us to dress warmly, though, because he and Dylan had a surprise. I sweat beneath my peacoat. It’ll be worth it, though.

Everyone seems to be heading the same direction as me, and they probably are. Almost no one misses the tree lighting. Why would they? It’s one of the most popular traditions of the North Pole and my favorite. When I was a kid, I wanted to climb to the top of the tree and put the star on, but that’s not how things are done around here.

Once I get to the section of warehouses, I take a right to head to Tinsel. I don’t even have to knock and he has the door open. The most beautiful smile graces his lips, making his eyes brighter, it seems. There’s something about this elf that makes my heart pound and my stomach swoop.

“Noel,” he whispers my name and before I can say anything myself, he has me pulled through the door and his lips are on mine. “You look stunning,” he says between kisses.

“Not as stunning as you.” He takes my breath away in gold glitter combat boots, gold trousers, and a shimmery gold top to match. The silver star necklace is around his neck. His nails are painted the neon yellow from the polish I gave him. And his dark eyes are lined in gold. “You’re a star, Tinsel.”

He holds out his arms and turns. “I wanted to sparkle, so I went a little overboard.”

I take him in my arms. “I think you went just right.”

His cheeks flush, and he kisses me again and again. But I have to pull away. “As much as I want to keep kissing you, I don’t want to miss the tree lighting either.”

“Right! Sorry!” He gives me an adorable, sheepish look. “I get so excited seeing you.”

My heart gives a flutter. I love—oh, wreath; I love him—when he’s bashful or playful. It doesn’t matter to me. Tinsel is amazing no matter what. “I get excited seeing you, too.” I kiss his knuckles and lead him towards the door.

I loop my arm around his back, pulling him close once we get on the path. I’m claiming him for all to see and once the star on the top of the tree lights for the first time this season, I’m kissing him in front of the entire North Pole, so they know he’s mine.

When we get to the gathering, we’re early and grab a spot in front right in front of the massive undecorated grand fir. I refrain from bouncing on my toes, but Tinsel doesn’t.

“I’ve never gotten here this early.” Tinsel tugs on my hand. “I usually get stuck in the back.”

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