Page 50 of Just for the Holidays

“We don’t have doughnuts today, but I set aside some cookies for you.” Nichol grabs a ribboned pastry box from the fridge, markedMr. Bin black grease pen, and delivers it to the counter with his coffee order.

Teddy smiles, as his tired eyes follow Nichol around the kitchen. “Gym clothes and stained t-shirts aren’t exactly appropriate holiday party attire, I had to go” he retorts.

“No, you didn’t… It’s just my family.” Nichol huffs.

Mr. Butler’s mouth arcs knowingly, in a presumptuous manner, as he counts the bills in his fold. “What’s my damage today gentlemen?”

“Fifteen,” Nichol chimes.

Teddy is pleasantly surprised.

“I’m a quick study,” Nichol smirks, collecting the cash, leaning over Teddy, and slipping it into the register’s drawer.

“What are your plans for the holiday?” Teddy asks the principal.

“Oh, I’ve got some work to do, and now some lovely cookies to indulge me.”

Nichol and Teddy catch each other’s eyes.

Teddy’s brows cave in.

“Come to my sister’s house tomorrow at five.” Nichol surprises himself.

“What? No, I’d never intrude,” he insists and pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

“No intrusion. My family loves a gathering. The more, the merrier.” Nichol entices.

“Five o’clock you say?” Mr. Butler is easily persuaded, smiling warmly at Nichol.

Nichol nods, surprised by his own compulsive decision.It’s probably just that pesky holiday spirit slipping in.

“I’d love to join you all… Do you mind a plus-one?”

“The more the merrier,” Nichol replies, with his customer service smile.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then.” Principal Butler jingles out the door and down the sidewalk, carrying his bounty.

“Nichol Anderson, that was nice of you.” Teddy leans an elbow on the counter, slumping on the stool.

“Meh,” Nichol shrugs, narrowing his eyes on Teddy's slumping form. “You should probably be in bed.”

“Meh,” he mimics. “I’m fine.” Teddy sips from the cup of coffee Nichol prepared, glancing over its rim, watching as he wipe down the machine. The scents in the kitchen finally register in his brain, and he asks, “You did all the baking?” He scans the spread of golden crusts and loaded cooling racks.

“Someone had to… you were busy drooling into your pillow,’’ Nichol teases with a crooked grin, bordering on flirty.

“I’m really impressed,” Teddy says softly, then slurps coffee down.

“I have a job interview at noon, but I’ll work around that. You need to rest.”

Teddy’s face sinks and his throat bobs under his beard. “Great,” he cheers with all the enthusiasm he can posture.

Nichol checks his expression from the corner of his eye. “Why don’t you set up a self-serve coffee bar here?” He shifts focus, fanning his arms out over the shop’s empty corner, opposite the door. “If you’re going to offer everyone free coffee, make it so they can just come in and grab their own.” Nichol taps his fingers, counting the thoughts and suggestions as he lists them off. “Put in a little bench, get some flavored syrups, and some cute containers for presentation, and people will pop in for their pastries and custom coffee.”

Teddy’s face lights up. “I’d never thought about it really. Gram always just poured them black cups and offered milk.”

“Less work for you, more options for them.” Nichol states his plan.

“Too bad you’re not sticking around.” Teddy blurts. “This place hasn’t felt this alive since Gram passed… Lucky Nichol.”

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