Page 41 of Holiday Hoax

Clara comes into the room wearing a green velvet dress trimmed with white fur and red and green striped stockings. Her arms are full of two garment bags which she hands off to Nico and Stella with a big smile. She turns to me with open arms as they walk off to change.

“How are you, Mia?”

“I’m good.” I return her hug and then give Ash one as well. “Better now that I’m seeing this. I’ve never seen him look so approachable.”

“Don’t start.” He keeps his arm draped over my shoulders in a brotherly way. “Why haven’t we seen you around?”

“Work has been keeping me busy.”

“That’s boring. You’re in your twenties, you should be out dating and meeting new people every night. Being chained to work isn’t good.”

“I know that is not what you were doing in your twenties.” Ian’s voice comes from behind us.

My heart leaps at the sound of his deep tenor. I turn and fight the desire to run to his arms and wrap myself around him. He looks delectable in dark wash jeans and a navy sweater layered over an oxford.

He gives me an appreciative look up and down before greeting Ash with a handshake and giving Clara a polite nod and smile. I step to the side as Ian places himself between Ash and me.

“You have me there,” Ash says. “How’s business going? Heard you’ve been spending a lot of time in Asia?”

Clara and I walk away to let the guys talk business.

“I have Santa hats for you and Ian to wear over your hairnets.” She holds one green and one red out in her hand. “Pick your color.”

“Definitely the green,” I say as I pluck it from her hand. “Everything looks great.” I look around the space, knowing all the work she’s put into it.

“Thank you.” She looks over at me, a shadow passing over her eyes. “We’re already outgrowing it. I don’t know how to keep up with the needs of the city. There are so many unhoused, and we need more funding to expand.”

“I could ask Sylvia if she wanted to put her head together with you about maybe hosting a fundraiser at the gallery? Most of our artists are always open to donating a piece for a good cause.”

“That would be amazing.”

She shows me to the station I’ll be at. A few minutes later Ian steps up beside me. His knuckles brush the back of my hand.

“Someone was jealous,” I murmur.

“I don’t like seeing another man with an arm around you.”

“Ash is like another big brother to me. I’ve known him since I was seven.”

“And?” His gaze bores down into mine, the intensity of it making heat flood my veins.

I like that he’s jealous. A slow smile curls my lips as I decide to needle him. I lean toward him slightly.

“Actually, I did have the biggest crush on him when I was younger.” I raise my eyebrows. “It’s the broody guy thing. Always did something for me as a teenager.”

“Does it still do something for you?”

“Are you offering to be broody for me?” I lean in conspiratorially. “Because it might.”

“What are you two whispering about?” Nico stands in front of us in his reindeer suit looking just as absurd as Ash.

“Go stand with Ash. I need to send Mom a picture.”

He pulls on a black nose with a shit-eating grin on his face. “Let me give him his nose first.”

I watch the two of them argue about the flashing red nose. Clara rises on her toes and whispers something in Ash’s ear, convincing him to take the nose and put it on. Nico throws his arm around a scowling Ash as I snap a few photos. I make sure to send them to Stella and Clara as well as the family group chat.

We all take our places as the doors open and service starts. I enjoy speaking with everyone as they move through the line. For the two hours we’re serving dinner, there’s never once a lull. Seeing Ian so far removed from his daily routine is nice. He’s as comfortable scooping mashed potatoes here as I imagine he is at the head of the boardroom table.

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