Page 7 of Chloe

A slow grin spreads across Oliver’s face, and I’m struck by how it transforms his rugged features. “Fair enough,” he says, his voice a low rumble. “Tell you what—why don’t you stop by the store tomorrow? I’ll give you the full Hanks’ Department Store experience. No business talk, just good old-fashioned Christmas shopping. What do you say?”

I should say no. I should go back to the house and lose myself in work, forget this strange day and the even stranger feelings it’s stirred up. But looking into Oliver’s intense hazel eyes, feeling the warmth radiating from him in the chilly lobby, I nod.

“Alright, Mr. Hanks. You’re on. But don’t think this means I’ve given up on dragging your store into the modern age.”

Oliver’s grin widens, a glint of challenge in his eyes. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Ms. Anderson. See you tomorrow.”

As I step out into the chilly night air, snowflakes swirling around me, I feel... different. Lighter somehow, as if the music has washed away some of the hard shell I’ve built around myself over the years.

I know that tomorrow will bring new challenges, new frustrations. Oliver and I are still worlds apart in our views on business and life. But for tonight, walking home through the quiet, snow-covered streets of Benton Falls, I allow myself to simply exist in this moment. To feel the snowflakes melting on my cheeks, to hear the distant echo of Christmas carols, to remember what it’s like to be part of something bigger than myself.

And for the first time since arriving in Benton Falls, I look forward to tomorrow, even as a small voice in the back of my mind warns me to be cautious. After all, in my experience, nothing good ever comes without a price.

Three

REBECCA

Iappear back in heaven with a huff, my golden hair falling in my face as I stomp down the celestial pathway. Two days on Earth, and what do I have to show for it? A grumpy human who’d rather hug her laptop than a Christmas puppy. Ugh.

The pathway shimmers annoyingly beneath my feet, all pearly and perfect. I roll my eyes. Everything here is so disgustingly cheerful, it’s like being stuck in a glitter factory. I can still smell the earthy scent of Benton Falls clinging to my clothes—a mix of pine, snow, and good old-fashioned human stubbornness.

As I march towards my apartment, all I can think about is Chloe Anderson and her stupid, perfect hair. Who does she think she is, anyway? Miss High-and-Mighty CEO with her designer suits and her “I’m too important for Christmas” attitude. It’s like looking in a mirror, and let me tell you, I do not like what I see.

“Well, well, if it isn’t our celestial weathergirl.” A voice calls out, dripping with sarcasm. Great. Just what I need.

I turn to see Gina, another angel-in-training, who lives a couple of doors down from me. She smirks at me. “How’s the forecast looking, Rebecca? Cloudy with a chance of failure?”

I paste on my fakest smile. “Oh, you know, just peachy. How’s the view from up there on your high horse?”

Gina’s smirk falters for a second before she recovers. “Better than being earthbound. Have fun with your little human project.” She grins, “And don’t worry, you can always try again in 100 years.” Gina saunters off, leaving me seething.

I kick at a celestial flower, immediately feeling guilty as it chimes sadly. “Sorry,” I mutter, before remembering I’m talking to a flower. This place is making me lose it. I don’t know how someone like Gina even qualifies to attend the Institute. I know we’re not all guardian angels just yet, but I thought you had to at least be somewhat nice.

“Tough day at the office?”

I jump, spinning around to find Henry standing there, his silver hair aglow. How does he always manage to sneak up on me?

“Henry.” I exclaim, trying to compose myself. “I was just... uh...”

“Taking out your frustrations on the local flora?” He raises an eyebrow, eyes twinkling with amusement.

I deflate, shoulders slumping. “Is it that obvious?”

Henry chuckles, the sound reminding me of my grandpa’s old truck engine. “Only to someone who’s been watching you mope down the path for the last five minutes. Come on, let’s take a walk.”

I follow him, dragging my feet like a sulky teenager. We end up at the Celestial Sea, which is doing its usual show-off routine with swirling colors and a sunset that belongs on a postcard. We sit on a bench that looks like it’s made of tangled Christmas lights.

“So,” Henry says, “how’s our friend Chloe doing?”

I groan, flopping back dramatically. “She’s impossible. I decorated her whole house, Henry. The whole thing. Lights, tree, garlands - the works. And you know what she did? She looked at it like I’d filled her living room with manure.”

Henry’s eyebrows shoot up. “You decorated her entire house?”

“Well, yeah,” I say, suddenly feeling a bit sheepish. “Go big or go home, right? I thought it might, I don’t know, shock her into feeling Christmassy or something.”

Henry’s silent for a moment, and then he laughs. Not just a chuckle, but a full-on, belly-shaking laugh that makes the nearby flowers start chiming in harmony.

“Oh, Rebecca,” he wheezes, wiping tears from his eyes. “You certainly don’t do anything by halves, do you?”

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