Page 73 of The Snuggle is Real
I tucked the form in my pocket, grabbed my keys, and locked up the office.
First stop, Santa’s Workshop. After all, kids needed toys on Christmas morning. Then I’d swing by Mistletoe Movies,Dancing Sugar Plums, Jingle Bites, and Nutcrackers to see what else I could drum up.
“Hey there.” A handsome man in casual business attire greeted me when I entered the toy store. “Can I help you find something amazing for Christmas morning?”
“Oh. Actually, I’m here to ask a pretty big favor.”
His eyebrows drew together. “Which is?”
I stepped forward to shake his hand. “I’m Mason West, director of the Holiday Hope Foundation.”
“James Willoughby. I run this shop with my grandfather.”
I glanced around at the toys, marveling at the craftsmanship evident in each piece. There were handmade train sets on little wooden tracks, extravagant dollhouses, race cars, and jewelry boxes. Even some exquisite-looking checkers and chess sets.
“You all do amazing work. The nonprofit has adopted a family in need—it’s kind of late in the season, I know, and I need the help of some local business sponsors. Let me tell you a little of what I’m thinking…”
I gave James the same pitch I’d given Griff back when I’d asked for Ford and Charlie. This was a much bigger ask. The time that went into these gifts was by no means small, much less the talent.
“I realize that getting gifts from Amazon would be cheaper.”
James laughed. “Yeah, and a heck of a lot less work for me.”
I nodded. “But we want to give this family a special touch. I understand there’s a limit to what you can offer.”
“I don’t know. From a business perspective, we already have all the business we can handle. This time of year is so busy and?—”
“We’ll do it.” A gorgeous Timothée Chalamet lookalike emerged from a nearby aisle and slipped an arm around James’s waist. “It’s Christmas.”
“Ezra,” James said in a warning tone.
“James,” he shot right back. “You know your grandpa would want you to say yes.”
James sighed. “You’ll both work my fingers to the bone.”
“Aw, you suffer so much.” Ezra shot me a playful smile. “Get us some details and we’ll see what we can do.”
The shelves were stocked with plenty of toys. I wouldn’t need to ask for any custom work. I jotted a short list for them, added my business card, and left.
I glanced back as I stepped out of the door.
James and Ezra were locked in a fiery kiss. Whew.
Good thing no children were in the shop.
Now, on to the next business. I could only hope it would be as successful. Though, it was probably too much to ask it provide the same eye candy.
Saturday, I went out early to hit more shops—and pick up some coffee and pastries at Jolly Java.
Ford would be coming by the house to start work, and my nerves had me more wired than the caffeine I was ordering from Rocco.
“Business seems to have picked up a bit,” I said as Rocco filled a bag with chai rolls for me.
“Probably helped that I stopped serving goat cheese,” he said with a sheepish smile.
“Are you kidding? I love goat cheese.”
“Right!” he exclaimed. “It’s delicious. But perhaps it was a step too far after I’d removed the pumpkin spice latte.”
