Page 37 of Stuck With My Christmas Crush

“‘You complete me’,” Lou leans across and kisses Calvin’s cheek. “Like in Jerry Maguire, Charlie.”

“Yeah, but we couldn’t be more opposite. And we’re not simply opposites. We are on completely different planets.” I sigh. “How did I ever think we could connect at all?” I pause for a moment. “And I know I sound absurd, but I don’t know if I want to be with someone who is obviously so soulless they want to give up that house.” I shake my head again and laugh some more. “And let’s not forget, he didn’t even want to make a snow angel.”

The van is quiet for a moment, then Calvin says, “He’s practical, Charlie.” He slows down and indicates to make a turn. “And that’s a good thing, isn’t it? You can understand why he wants to sell. It must be a huge responsibility. And really expensive.”

“I know. And the land value is worth more without the building. How crazy is that? But it’s such a beautiful place.You should see it before it’s torn down. Then you’ll know what I mean.”

“You don’t think that maybe he’ll change his mind and… I don’t know, keep the hotel?” says Lou hopefully.

“No. I can’t see that ever happening. He’s already said he’s not that person and he never will be. You guys haven’t met him yet. And you probably never will now.”

Then Lou says, “But Charlie, you invited him for Christmas dinner, didn’t you?”

“Yes. But he won’t come. I mean think about it. Why would he?”

“We’ll see,” says Lou. “Stranger things have happened. Don’t forget, it’s Christmas and that’s when all sorts of magic happens.”

“Lou. Christmas magic happens in the show. And nowhere else. Oh, apart from in the movies.”

Lou laughs at me as Calvin indicates a turn into the hotel parking lot. He checks the rearview and pulls the van to a stop. I open the van door and slide out followed by Lou. Time to get into performance mode and stop thinking about something that is absolutely out of reach. I grab the gear from the back of the van and we wait for our contact from the booking. Soon a smartly suited young man with an iPad approaches us. He looks us up and down.

“Hello. I’m Tim. And you must be Sparkle Entertainers. I’ll show you to the dressing room.” He checks the time. “You’ll find the run sheet I emailed you in there. Let me know if you need anything.” His hand darts up to an earpiece but he keeps walking briskly. He nods a couple of times then he says, “The dressing rooms are just through here. The green room is at the end. Help yourself to refreshments.” He pauses to listen to his earpiece again, then says, “Excuse me, one moment.” He pushes open a door with a restricted access sign. “I’ll be right back.”

Lou, Calvin, and I watch him scurry away to where a crew of people dressed in black arrange balloons and decorations and rig lighting equipment onto scaffolding bars. Someone is testing the sound,one, two, one, two.

“It would be so awesome to…” I begin voicing a thought.

“To what, Charlie,” asks Lou who is close enough to hear.

“Ah, nothing. Just an idea.” I smile at my friends and shake the thought away. It’s time to concentrate on the evening’s show.

Chapter 19

Jason

When I call Charlie’s number it clicks straight through to voicemail. I hesitate. I really want to talk to her and not a stupid machine. But then, I end up leaving a message, as instructed, after the beep.

“Hi, it’s Jason. I just wanted to say thanks for the juggling balls. Maddie’s been helping me. Anyway, I would love it if you called me back. I know you must be busy fairying somewhere. So…” I hang up. I want to erase the message immediately.Busy fairying? No one says that.

It’s nosurprise that I don’t get a call back. I’ve stopped checking my phone every five minutes. But I’ve been thinking, and I’ve had a crazy idea. And I need to talk to Charlie about it. I think she can help. But mostly, I just want to talk to her. I miss her so much. I’m going to ask her out on a date. Take her for a ride in the Rolls-Royce or something fun. I don’t know. Do something to make her smile. I couldn’t bear the look she gave me when she left the mansion. She was so upset. It broke my heart to think it was me and something that I said that made her so miserable. I want us to be friends. I want us to be more than friends.

I call Meredith. I’m not sure how she’s going to react to my idea. I’m a little apprehensive as I dial my sister’s number, but she’ll give me a straight answer and let me know, honestly, if she thinks I’m mad. Meredith picks up straight away.

“Hey, Sis. What are you up to?” I say over-brightly.

“Well, Jason. I’m baking some more gingerbread cookies.”

“More cookies, huh?”

“Yes. Of course. They make great gifts. Who wouldn’t want a stack of Christmas gingerbread men all decorated with frosting and shiny colored sugar beads?” There’s apause on the line. “Maddie says you should come and decorate them with us.”

“Thanks, but I’m busy with something here at the mansion.” I lean back on the couch and watch the flames in the wood stove. “But have fun with that.”

Maybe this isn’t the right time and I’m about to hang up when Meredith says, “Okay, Jason. So why the call?”

“Ah yes. I wanted to run an idea by you. It concerns the sale of the mansion, so I need your take on it.”

“Okay. What’s in your head?”

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