Page 5 of Storybook Christmas

“I don’t understand. You loved this story.” I lift the stack of papers. “And that wasbeforethe artwork. Look at this—it’s incredible.”

Joshua eyes it briefly before shrugging. “I do love it, but I’ve been inspired. You know how that goes. Anyway, I wanted to give you notice, so you weren’t surprised. Finn’s been brought on board to help me work with an illustrator and ghostwriter to get this new idea written and sketched in record time. And, as you know, Sutton & Sutton only puts out one children’s Christmas book a year. So… you and I will go head-to-head.”

Head-to-head.

Joshua wants to gohead-to-headwith me.

This is just what I wanted!

Maybe he wants our competitive spark back, too? I suppress a smile—I don’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing how pleased I am that he’s throwing down the gauntlet. It’ll be just like Writer’s Comp in college all over again—when I edged Joshua out by a measly quarter of a point for the win.

He was really upset… and really turned on. We spent the evening celebrating my success tangled in his sheets.

I put on my well-honed game face when I say, “I mean, I can’t stop you. But just so you know, the Suttons already gave me the go-ahead to order firefly stuffies with Santa hats.”

“I know, and I’m okay with that,” Joshua says. “But I feel so strongly about this other idea, I’m going for it, anyway.”

I swallow hard. “So, what’s the other idea?”

Finn shifts in his chair, his face riddled with guilt.

Joshua clears his throat before meeting my gaze. “It’s got a sci-fi bend. Rudolph reveals himself to be half-robot, and his artificial intelligence side will make his tail glow during the squall. So, it’s Rudolph who still saves Christmas, but as a Borg.”

I fight back a gasp. The gears of my mind spin as I try to process what I’ve just heard. Rudolph is aBorg? That’s just… ridiculous.

This win will be a slam dunk! But not wanting to sound smug, I ask, “Are you sure that’s something children will relate to?”

“Actually, the research on current market trends says yes.”

Well, then. Who am I to argue, really? Joshua is being swayed into pursuing a silly concept because of some market trends study. It happens. Often. And I’ll win. “Okay. Let’s both submit.”

Joshua presses his lips together, something he does when he’s about to share bad news. “But that means neither of us can go to print now.”

Oh, no. “They don’t choose next year’s books with competing entries until next week, the twentieth.” The day I fly out.

My face gets hot, and there’s a tinge of frustration in my voice when I say, “We can’t start printing until after we know which book gets chosen.”

Joshua looks away, hesitating. “Right. And we need everything printed by twenty-third…”

“Because advanced reviewers need their copies before Christmas.” I finish his sentence, numb.

“Exactly.” Joshua exhales.

This can’t be. “But I’ll be in Paris. As you know,” I mumble, my heart plummeting to my toes.

“I’m sorry, Lacy.” Joshua’s voice sounds distant, garbled. “But this is the schedule every year.”

I know—that’s why I had everything ready to finish my book early so I can leave by the twentieth. Dusted and done.

I glance at Finn, who’s staring at my office door as if he’s dying to make an escape. Why is he so uncomfortable? Does he know that Joshua and I used to be together? Because we’re acting professionally now.

When I return my gaze to Joshua, he says, “It’s up to you. You can submit your book next year if you still want to go to Paris.”

I get what he’s doing—testing me to see if I’ll concede. But he knows I never back down from a challenge—the reason I haven’t had Christmas off in years.

But do Ireallywant to do this, all just to prove to Joshua I’m still up for a fight?

I’m not sure, honestly.

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