Page 23 of Blame It On The Carols

“I know. But right now, that’s the best we can do. I’ll have my cell phone on if you guys need anything.”

“Thanks, Curtis.”

I hung up the phone and rolled my head on my neck as I tried to alleviate some of the mounting tension.

“Are they gone?” Makayla asked, coming back into the bar with Jackie behind her.

“They’re securing the perimeter outside. I told them to keep watch out there and that we have things covered in here.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that.”

“No problem.” I smiled as I glanced at the boxes Jackie had brought out this morning. “But since you’re here and the Sugarplum Sweethearts aren’t here to rehearse, I’m putting you to work.”

“Work?” she asked with a soft laugh. “I don’t want to brag or anything, but I can make a killer rum and Coke. Also, why am I not surprised they’re not here yet? I swear, my mom is the worst with being on time lately.”

“Not that kind of work.”

I folded my arms over my chest and enjoyed watching her squirm.

“Do you want me to clean?” She glanced around the room, relief on her face that it was already clean.

“Nope. You’re going to help us decorate.”

“Decorate?”

“For Christmas.”

Her brows pulled together as I walked over to the first box and opened it up. Inside were a handful of decorations that we put up every year. I pulled out the giant piece of artificial mistletoe and held it up.

“It’s still like three weeks until Christmas. Isn’t it a bit early?”

I heard Jackie gasp behind me and chuckled.

“Not in Sugarplum Falls. We’re technically a little behind on decorating, and since I don’t want to be the center of the town’s gossip, I figured we’d better get them up today.”

Makayla shook her head and grinned.

“I totally forgot how Christmas-obsessed this town is.”

“Do you not decorate this early in LA?” Jackie asked, grabbing another box and setting it on the floor.

“I, um, I don’t usually decorate.” Makayla scrunched her face as the words came out, this time earning her a gasp from both of us.

“You don’t decorate for Christmas?” I questioned, my head cocked to the side as I stared in disbelief.

“I don’t usually have time. Things are always so busy, and by the time I get home, it’s days before Christmas, and it just feels pointless to decorate when I’m the only one who would see it.”

“Do you spend the day by yourself too?” I pressed, not loving this at all.

She shrugged and looked away before answering.

“Sometimes. But my mom and I always FaceTime. So it’s not like I’malonealone.”

“Makayla, Makayla, Makayla,” I said with a sigh.

“What?” She laughed, her eyes wide as she watched Jackie and me.

“That’s a big problem, but don’t worry. We know how to solve it.” I looked from her to Jackie, who nodded.

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