Page 34 of Wrap Me Up

All four of them face the tree. Snow and Dylan look to Santa and Jack, who nod. The choir starts O Christmas Tree. Santa, Jack, Snow, and Dylan all wave a hand towards the tree. And like every year, lights start from the top and slowly spiral down. I suck in a breath. White lights flick on first, then strands of bright colorful ones chase after it.

The colors reflect in Tinsel’s wide eyes. “It’s even more magical getting to see this all up close.”

No, it’s more magical with Tinsel. I squeeze his hand. “This isn’t even the best, best part.”

“And finally,” Santa says. “The star.” He nudges Snow and Dylan. Snow nibbles his bottom lip as he shuts his eyes. Together, he and Dylan make a couple of practiced gestures toward the top of the tree. A bright golden flash washes over us all before shrinking into a dazzling star atop the tree.

“Oh!” Tinsel cries out, but I yank him to me and steal a kiss. He melts into me and while it’s all sweetness, I can’t help but feel the heat simmering beneath the surface.

Santa’s jolly laugh fills the air. “Thank you, everyone, for making this the best season yet.”

The choir starts Last Christmas and everyone groans about being Wham!’d. But for Tinsel and me, the song is a little close to home. He gave me his heart, and I gave it away.

He pulls me close. “I’m glad I gave you a second chance. I love you, Noel.”

I kiss him gently again. This man knows what he wants and goes for it and I’m so proud to be his. “I love you, too, Tinsel.”

Chapter 19

Tinsel

Over the next several weeks, Noel and I spend the night between each of our places just to sleep. I’m addicted to the good night sleep being next to him gives me and we’ve both been too exhausted to be intimate. We’ve given each other a few more gifts, but it’s being in each other’s presence that’s the best gift.

Today’s Christmas day though, this morning we showed up at the party hall to “reveal” our exchange buddy, making everyone laugh since they knew we already told each other.

At noon, everyone participating in the workshop competition is supposed to set up in the meeting hall. Noel hasn’t seen our entry because I haven’t let him, but I want to see his reaction in private.

I lead him through the door to my studio. It’s just us with everyone getting a break from now until the middle of January, where each studio begins to plan out the new year. I’ll need help to get the entry to the meeting hall. Snickerdoodle, Jolly, Mistletoe, Peppermint, and Snowflake all said they’d show up to help move it, but said they’d give me time to show Noel first. So we’ll have about ten minutes alone before they arrive.

It’s so quiet in the workshop without anyone here. The tree’s still lit up against the wall. The scent of leather hits me.

“I always love the way it smells because it reminds me of you,” Noel says.

We get to the door of the private workshop and I flip on the light. The piece is covered in a cloth for extra security, in case someone stumbles upon it for whatever reason. I trust my fellow elves, but Jolly insisted.

I slide the cloth from the entry and Noel sucks in a breath. My elves and I carved the entire scene, then painted it. I’m proud of what we accomplished.

“If this doesn’t win, the competition is rigged.” Noel’s fingers hover over the leather and he takes in all the little details. “Is that…”

“I may have taken some inspiration from the ornament you gave me. I wanted to immortalize us.”

“Oh, Tinsel. This is beautiful.”

I have to agree, even though I’m bias. It’s a huge canvas, and we pulled it off in time. The massive Christmas tree is front and center surrounded by all the little shops, and us elves, but Noel and I are cuddling together, gazing upon the tree. The bottom border is snowdrifts, while the top and sides are different patterns of wrapped presents.

There’s movement behind us and I turn to find Snickerdoodle, her husband Cranberry, and both of their kids.

“Let’s get out of the way so they can see it, too,” I say and shuffle past, with Noel following. I can’t hear what they say, but it sounds like approval all around. My other elves arrive to help with moving the massive steel frame we have the leather attached to.

Once everyone has had their fill of looking, we recover and decide on a strategy to move the frame. We have it surrounded as if it’s high security and the idea makes me laugh. Other elves race around us to get to the meeting hall. There’s still snow on the sides of the paths, making the entire place truly feel like a North Pole Christmas. I’m glad Snow and Dylan could bring it for us.

Voices fill the meeting hall, making it hard to think. We find our assigned spot and wait. Noel keeps me calm. I know I shouldn’t be as nervous as I am, but I can’t help it. I want to win. Maybe I am a little jealous of Dylan, but I also know he’s amazing at what he does and deserves to win, too. All the elves deserve to win. But that’s not how competitions work.

A jingle bell fills the air, and just like always, sounds die off. Santa’s voice booms through the hall. “Welcome to the Naughty and Nice Competition. As every year, we choose the best of the best Naughty and Nice workshops, then top shop between them. The judges will be around shortly. Good luck!”

I wring my hands. “Oh, garland.”

“Tinsel,” Noel turns me towards him. “You’re amazing and you don’t need to win a competition in order to have worth.”

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