Page 39 of Icing on Top
I squealed as he grabbed me and wrapped me in a bear hug. “Maybe I already have what I want for Christmas,” he growled into my neck, making my stomach flop.
“Well, then you should say thank you,” I replied. When it was our turn, we stepped up to Santa and I went to sit in his lap.
“What the hell are you doing?” Grant asked as he grabbed my hand before I could sit.
“Sitting on Santa’s lap,” I replied, confused.
“The hell you are!” I looked from him to Linc and Ben, who hid their smiles behind their hands. Was he serious?
“Oh, lighten up, Scrooge,” Lincoln finally said. “It’s Santa. And it will only be for a few seconds. Unclench.”
Ben smacked his hand away from me and helped me into Santa’s lap while Linc moved Grant into position next to Santa’s chair.
“Thanks for being here, Santa,” I told the elderly man as the photographer positioned Linc and Grant.
“Happy to be here!” the jolly old man exclaimed. “I hope this will become an annual event again. I’ve missed it.”
“It will be if I have anything to say about it,” I assured him. We smiled at the camera, took our picture, and went to the photo pick-up spot to wait for our copy. Well, most of us smiled. I burst out laughing when I saw Grant glaring at Santa in the picture. “This is amazing. It’s getting hung on the wall.”
Grant’s cheeks turned pink with embarrassment. “We can go back and get a better one if you want,” he said sheepishly.
“Nope,” I said, holding the picture to my chest protectively. “This one’s a keeper.”
As the sun began to set, the tree-lighting ceremony started. The Mayor got up and thanked me for organizing the festival, which he hoped would become an annual town event again. There was a consensus on that. He thanked the other businesses for their contributions and then thanked Triple Tech for sponsoring the Christmas tree. He then called the three winners from the cookie decorating contest within their respective age groups to join him on stage. We counted from three, and the winners flipped the switch to the lights. Thousands of lights lit at once, illuminating the square and causing a collective gasp from the group.
Someone started singing “O Christmas Tree,” and everyone present joined in. It was cheesy but an absolutely perfect moment.
Bored CEO
Lincoln
11 Days Until New Year’s Eve
Ispun in my office chair, bored out of my damn mind. Things were crazy around the office, as it usually is before a big product launch. Unfortunately, I had nothing to do, but I couldn’t leave in case something cropped up that needed my attention. I went to the window, watching the snow fall gently. My mind wandered to Nova as it always did lately when I wasn’t occupied with work. I couldn’t remember the last time we had such a festive holiday season, and it was all thanks to Nova. She brought so much joy into our lives in the last month. The contract was almost completed, and I had started having arecurring nightmare that Nova disappeared in a cloud of smoke when the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve, taking her Christmas magic with her.
While I knew we were all in love with Nova, we hadn’t discussed what would happen after New Year’s. Grant made it clear that he wouldn’t pursue a permanent relationship with her without figuring out how we would balance work and Nova. But then we didn’t discuss it again, which drove me crazy. I knew what I wanted. Nova. But I couldn’t ignore Grant’s logic. We would only end up hurting her if we couldn’t find a viable solution, but I didn’t know that I had the strength to walk away from her. Not anymore.
“Fuck it,” I swore as I grabbed my coat and keys. I needed to see her- now. They can get ahold of me on my cell phone if they need me. I drove by Icing first and saw her car. I parked behind her and went inside. By now, Stef barely batted an eye when I came in. I winked at the kid as I passed her, ringing up a customer, and went into the kitchen. I smiled as soon as my eyes landed on Nova. As predicted, she was decorating cupcakes and dancing to the music. I didn’t know what the future would hold, but she was still mine for now.
I walked up behind her and wrapped my arms around her, moving my hips with hers as I kissed her neck. She melted into me, and a heat spread through my chest. The way her body responded to my touch would never get old.
“This is a pleasant surprise,” she said as she set her piping bag down and turned in my arms to kiss me.
“I was bored out of my mind at work and desperate to see you,” I told her. “What are you working on?”
“I’m getting the last of the Christmas orders filled. Want to help?”
“I don’t want to mess anything up.”
“Nonsense. I’ll give you the easy tasks.” She went over to the wall and grabbed an apron to toss at me. “Put that on and go wash your hands.”
When I rejoined her at the table, she showed me how to sprinkle candy cane crumbles on the cupcakes she had iced. We worked together for the rest of the afternoon, decorating and packaging the cupcakes. When my cell phone started ringing, I groaned. I knew they’d call me back eventually.
“Sorry, Sugar. That’s my cue. I have to get back to the office,” I said as I removed the apron and hung it on the wall.
“I understand,” she assured me. “Thank you for coming and helping. I enjoyed and appreciate your help. If Triple Tech doesn’t work out, you have a job here.”
I laughed as I hauled her against me and captured her lips with mine. She tasted sweeter than any cupcake she could bake. “I’ll be glad when this tracker launches and I have more time to spend with you.” I felt her stiffen slightly. I knew it was because of the casual way I mentioned time after New Year’s. It was a conversation that was long overdue to be had with her. All we ever offered her were subtle hints. We needed to figure this out sooner rather than later.
