Page 12 of Icing on Top
“It’s necessary if you want to be able to shape the dough into balls,” she huffed. She nudged Ben toward the sink and turned the water on for him. After squirting some soap into his hands, she grabbed the roll of cling wrap and cut a piece off.
“How am I doing?” Linc asked as she moved the contents of Ben’s bowl onto the plastic.
“You’re doing great, Lincoln,” she replied approvingly. “Your dough is ready to chill as well. Why don’t you grab a piece of plastic wrap and do what I’m doing.”
He followed her example as best he could as she expertly shaped the dough into a log and wrapped it. Pinching the loose ends with her fingers, she lifted the log and began twirling it like a mini jump rope, causing the ends to twist. Lincoln tried to copy her and nearly sent his dough log flying into the living room. She giggled as she helped him get a hold of his dough. Instead of doing it for him, she placed his fingers where they needed to be and guided his movements. The dough didn’t go flying this time, though it lacked her perfection.
She placed both in the fridge and then turned to look at me. “How is your dough coming?”
I looked down at the dough I hadn’t been mixing and started going on it again. “Almost ready for chocolate chips,” I said with more confidence than I felt. When I was satisfied that all the ingredients were mixed, I added the amount of chocolate chips the recipe said to add.
Nova came over while I was mixing them in and added another cup. “Always add an extra cup over what it says. That’s how you get the gooey cookies everyone likes.”
As she helped Linc and Ben finish their cookies, I anxiously watched mine bake. Needing to distract myself, I decided to learn more about our host and what she had planned for us.
“What other Christmas traditions did you want to accomplish?” I knew I could read the contract but I wanted to hear it from her. Nova didn’t disappoint as she launched into an explanation about what she wanted to do. I loved the added small memories and anecdotes as she explained why she wanted to do each activity.
“Oh, but my favorite tradition was…” She trailed off, getting our attention.
“What is it?” Linc asked.
“Nothing. I think it might be asking too much from you,” Nova admitted as she brushed me aside to pull a tray of cookies from the oven and replace them with a fresh batch.
“Tell us,” I urged.
“Well, every year on December twenty-eighth, the town holds a gingerbread house decorating contest at the high school. Dad and I would plan our design for weeks and loved competing. We never won, but each year, he would tell me that next year would be the year.” Her eyes had a sad, faraway look in them. “I never thought that one day there wouldn’t be a next year,” Nova said quietly.
Well, now we had to do it. Even if it were too much of her to ask, which it wasn’t, we would be doing the contest. And this year, we would bring home that win for her and her Dad.
“Sounds like fun,” Ben said. “I’m in.” Linc and I both agreed as well, and Nova glowed with excitement.
“If you’re sure, I’ll start designing our entry!” Fuck, making her happy was becoming an addiction.
Shortly after the cookies were finished baking, dinner was delivered. While we ate, Ben gave her the fitness tracker he had brought, and we told her about our latest launch.
Halfway through dinner, Nova perked up as she sipped the wine she had poured for us. “Ok, tell me about your Christmas traditions.”
“Well,” Linc started, “we grew up in the system, so we don’t have any.”
“That’s not true,” I said. “Don’t you remember? Mama Clair used to let us decorate our stockings on Christmas Eve after dinner.”
“Oh, yeah!” Ben said. “I had completely forgotten about that! You always stole the blue glitter glue and never let Linc or me use it.”
“I love that idea!” Nova exclaimed. “We’ll add it to the list.”
A short time later, Nova convinced us to stay for a Christmas movie, and as Bing Crosby started singing, I pulled out my phone. There were a bunch of important emails waiting for me. I glanced from my cell phone to Nova, sitting between me and Linc, her lips moving along with the movie. I smiled softly as I pocketed my phone. The emails could wait. This was far more important.
Altruism Is Sexy
Nova
32 Days Until New Year’s Eve
Islipped the last tray of cupcakes into the display and then leaned against the back counter, stifling a yawn. I blinked my eyes rapidly to try and clear the bleariness from them. The previous night had been a late night, but more fun than I have had in a long time. It made me excited for other Christmas traditions we would be having together. It made me excited for Christmas. I looked at the fitness tracker on my wrist as it beeped to tell me to drink water. I stooped down to pull a bottle of water from the fridge under the counter as I tried to remember the last time I had drank plain water.
The bell on the door chimed, signaling that Stef had just walked in. “Stef, you’ll have to stay on top of things today. I’m afraid I might not be of much use. I had a pretty late night last night.”
“So you’re feeling extra sleepy today, too?” Lincoln asked.
