Page 2 of Sugar Plum Dreams

“The new elf?”

Her brother's grin spread impossibly wider as he held up a sheath of documents. “We are officially an item."

That was a big thing. Her brother never dated anyone that he worked with. The fact that he’d decided to date this woman who was younger and under his employment, and that she had signed the paperwork, was indeed a big deal. Cin had gotten a good look at Mindy when she'd come in for her fitting. The new elf at her brother's Santa impersonator business had been attractive, and she sure as hell filled out the elf costume. Whichmeant that if Cin had found her attractive, Mindy was one hundred percent straight.

Good for her brother.

"That’s great, big bro. I wish you both the best.“

Noel came into her office and shut the door behind him. "What’s wrong, Cinnabun? Bad date?”

“The worst.”

“Don’t tell me. She was straight?”

"As boxed linguini."

"I’m sorry, sis. You'll find the right woman soon.”

Cinnamon didn’t doubt it. She just had to look in the right place. She shut the dating app. Right now, she had to get back to work. They had a whole line of Christmas costumes to get ready for display, and she had to get them into production.

There was another knock at the door. After a brisk call to come in, the door opened, and a Christmas angel brightened the doorway.

"I’m sorry to interrupt, Mr. Kringle. I’m headed down to HR now. Can I take that paperwork for you?"

Her brother's assistant was the embodiment of a Christmas angel—delicate, ethereal, and glowing with an unassuming beauty. Her soft brown hair framed her face like a halo, always neatly pulled back but with a few stray strands that caught the light just right. Kristen’s eyes were warm, a deep brown that reminded Cin of rich hot chocolate on a cold night, offering comfort and quiet strength.

Her presence was gentle, yet grounding, like the first snowfall of the season, transforming everything without making a sound. Cin often found herself mesmerized by the way Kristen moved—graceful, yet unaware of the attention she drew. She wasn’t flashy; her clothes were always practical, understated, never designed to turn heads. A bit ill-fitting. Not that Cin ever voiced an offer to tailor each thread to her curves. Because shewas oh-so attracted to Kristen. Which meant, of course, that the woman was straight.

"Thanks, Kristen. Guard those with your life." Noel handed his executive assistant the paperwork.

"Of course, sir." Kristen’s smile was soft and hesitant, like she didn’t quite realize how beautiful it was, and that only made Cin’s heart ache more.

To Cin, Kristen was everything she imagined a Christmas angel would be—pure, untouched by the chaos of the world, but with a quiet power that could light up even the darkest winter night.

“Is there anything I can do for you, Ms. Kringle?”

“I told you to call me Cin.”

"Yes, ma'am. Is there anything I can do for you, Cin?"

She'd done something all right. Hearing those heart-shaped lips form the wordma'amhad Cin pressing her thighs together. And she'd keep them together.

Cin knew that Kristen wasn’t interested in women. She had watched the woman give goo-goo eyes to one particular junior executive. Said junior executive barely registered her existence—the idiot.

"I’m good. Thanks, Kristen."

Cin watched under lowered lashes as Kristen moved away. She wanted to take in that two sizes too big skirt and showcase the curves she just knew were hiding there. She wanted to hem the ends of the skirt to just up above that knee to show off more of those long legs. She wanted to pull in the bust line to showcase those palm-sized tits. But those were Christmas wishes that would never come true. Aside from Kristen being straight, she was also her brother's assistant. Two strikes. Cin didn't need a third to know she wasn't ever going to win that particular game.

2

The office buzzed with the familiar hum of pre-holiday chaos. Phones rang incessantly, muffled conversations floated in the air, and the scent of evergreen wafted from the decorations Noel insisted on hanging himself. Kristen Todd sat at her desk, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she finalized the schedule for the week. She loved the crisp efficiency of her work. It grounded her, giving her a sense of control amidst the whirlwind of Kringle Intimates’ busiest season.

“Kristen, did you finalize the client list for the party?” Noel’s voice boomed from his office.

“Yes, Mr. Kringle. I emailed it to you this morning,” Kristen replied, not pausing her typing. Noel was always appreciative of her work, which kept her going despite feeling invisible to others in the company.

Kristen’s desk, though organized, was a testament to her meticulous nature. Each file had its place. Each note was color-coded. The decorations around her workspace were minimal.

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