Page 30 of Her Secret Santa

A pony, huh? I figured most kids these days wanted brand new phones or something, but that’s about as traditional of a Christmas request as you can get. It’s actually kind of cute.

“Santa will have to talk to your dad,” I tell her, chuckling. “I’m sure we can come to a compromise.”

I tap the side of my nose and wink at her with a grin. That’s a thing Santa does, right? I feel like I’ve seen that in commercials or something. Jackie giggles, excitement sparkling in her eyes.

I’m surprised to see Clara walking up to collect her already. I didn’t even realize she took the picture.

I put effort into actually talking to kids and making it a special experience for the rest of the day. It makes the hours flyby instead of drag, and I don’t feel as drained as I usually do as I make my way back to the break room.

Fuck if I’m not still definitely ready to get the hell out of this costume and get home.

I toss my gloves and the stupid shoe covers into my locker as the other elves hang their accessories up and file out.

“Santa?” Clara asks, her voice soft and tentative.

She’s standing behind me, wringing her hands together, back in her street clothes, leaving her in a wool sweater and khakis that make me just as hungry for her as the skimpy little dresses she wears at Eternity do.

“I—uh, I wanted to apologize,” she says. “For yelling at you, I mean. That was inappropriate.”

Don’t tell her it was hot.

“It’s fine.”

“I shouldn’t have snapped at you,” she says firmly, frowning. “I’m sorry.”

The last thing I expected was an apology. People don’t make a habit of offering them to me. Probably because most wouldn’t dare scold me the way she did.

“Really, it’s fine.”

She laughs, awkwardly scratching at the nap of her neck as she nods.

“Right, well, sorry anyway,” she says. “And thank you. You did a really good job with the kids after that.”

Actually, I expect her to thank me about a million times less than I expect an apology. I can’t even remember the last time someone thanked me for doing something, especially after having to yell at me to actually do it.

“Thanks.” The word comes out choked, and I drop my eyes, hoping that she won’t see the shock on my face. “Uh, you too.”

“Have a good night, Santa,” she says, a shy smile on her face. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Yeah. Tomorrow. Have a good night.”

I watch her walk away as confusion whirls in my head. She glances over her shoulder at me and offers me a friendly wave before stepping out of the room. Maybe this whole thing isn’t so bad if it gets me closer to Clara. Even putting real effort into my role today wasn’t so draining with Clara smiling at me and actuallythankingme.

I know I’ll be seeing her tonight at Eternity, but the thought of seeing her tomorrow is just as appealing, even if I have to wear a ridiculous costume.

I have a sneaking suspicion that I’d be willing to do a lot to keep those pretty blue eyes on me.

Chapter Thirteen

CLARA

If all it takes is giving Santa a piece of my mind to get him to act right, I can live with that. He tugged at his jacket and glanced off to the side like he was embarrassed when I called him out, but there was also something like gratitude in his dark eyes. By the end of the day, the kids were actually enjoying themselves. Hell, by the end of the day, I thinkSantawas enjoying himself too.

Allie should be getting off work right about now so I dial her up and wait for her to answer as I walk toward my beat up old Chevy in the parking garage. Thank God the mall is nice enough to cover parking for staff, or I’d have to spend hours every morning trying to find street parking in between the holiday shoppers and tourists here to spend Christmas in the city.

“A call from Santa’s favorite elf?” Allie says when she answers. “To what do I owe the honor?”

I laugh, rolling my eyes at her antics.

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