It was for a good cause, but also, I’d get to spend more time with her.
If she was agreeable.
“You know Santa’s Elves off of Elm?” I asked.
We’d completed another Saturday of photos and listening to lots and lots of Christmas wishes. Which meant I was all geared up in my suit. These days, it felt like I spent a lot of time in this suit.
Belle nodded. She was still in her elf suit. “Yeah. My mom is good friends with Ms. Merriweather.”
“Well,” I began. I almost let it slip that I volunteered there a lot. “What do you think about baking some cookies for the families in need this year?”
Her eyes lit up. “I could put your gift to good use!”
I smiled. Also a big pro, aside from hanging out with her again. “Exactly.”
“Aw,” she said. “What a sweet idea. It would make me really happy knowing that my cookies might bring some smiles to kids who had a tough year.”
I wished I could’ve told her about how I volunteered there every week, invited her to come along even.
Maybe someday.
Today, I’d settle for a couple of hours with her.
We met at Santa’s Elves the next day. We were both off work, but since I couldn’t let her see who I really was, I was stuck in my suit again.
Santa’s Elves was officially closed, but I knew where Ms. Merriweather hid the spare key to the back door.
I dug it out from under an inconspicuous rock near the dumpster.
Belle didn’t look so sure. She was holding on to a large wagon full of baking supplies and the machine I’d gifted her. “Are you sure this is okay?”
I opened the door and held it open. “I’m sure.”
Between my belly and her wagon, it turned into a bit of an ordeal to get us and the wagon through the doorway. I shifted, trying to make room, but ended up chest to chest with her.
My breathing sped as I realized just how close we were, catching the scent of her perfume and seeing her cheeks flush as she looked up at me. I swallowed hard and moved to the side, getting through the door so she could follow.
The door finally closed behind us. It was nice and toasty inside, but nothing compared to the heat spreading in my chest.
Belle laughed breathily. “Are you sure you don’t want to change out of that costume into something more suitable for cooking?”
I shook my head. “Wish I could, but no. You know how sacred this job is.”
“I do,” she replied.
We made our way to the kitchen. Luckily, this place had one and I wouldn’t need to show up at Belle’s house like this. Talk about an awkward conversation with her parents.
It also had a storeroom with all kinds of stuff, donations mostly. We passed it on the way to the kitchen.
“Right in here,” I said, leading the way.
Belle got to work, preheating the giant oven and setting out all her ingredients.
“You really make these from scratch?” I asked.
She almost looked offended. “Would there be any other way?”
I rubbed my hands together. “Will you show me your secret recipe?”