Page 118 of You Found Me
Laughing he says, “No way. I went to a thrift store in the city while waiting for a meeting and found the sweater as soon as I walked in. It was meant to be. And I didn’t want to wear plain old jeans, which is how I came to find these very lovely brown corduroy pants—I feel like they give the illusion of a tree trunk.”
“You’re definitely festive.”
“Really? That’s all you wanna say about it?”
I stifle a laugh at his whining. “I’m so sorry. You’re the most handsome tree I’ve ever seen. Like a mighty oak.”
Spencer pinches my side then looks me up and down. “And what are you supposed to be, you brat?”
Giving a twirl, making sure my skirt flutters about, I proudly announce, “I’m Sparkles, an Elf on the Shelf! Santa’s favorite to be exact.”
“Ah. Sparkles. Hence the freckles, tights, and shoes?”
I nod. “Yep. I know it’s very ‘on the nose’ but the kiddos will eat it up. Those creepy little dolls are huge with the younger bunch.”
“I’m not exactly sure I’ve ever seen them, so I’ll have to take your word.”
“As you should. Did you bring a change of clothes, or are you planning to wear that later?”
“I didn’t think about it. However, this sweater is actually pretty cozy. Don’t tell me you’re changing,” he pouts. “You look so adorable like this.”
“I guess I could stay in this. I mean whether I change into something else, or stay in this, I’d still have the same festive lingerie underneath. But I’ll keep this on all night,” I shrug.
Spencer grips my elbow, pulling me closer. “Wear whatever you feel is most comfortable. I’m going to tear it off you later anyway.” My brows shoot up. “I mean if you’ll let me,” he sheepishly adds.
Chuckling, I lean up, placing a quick kiss on his cheek, then whisper, “Not only will I let you take them off, I might actually beg you.”
He groans. “Get away from me before I drag you away to some dark closet. And then Colette will have both of our asses.”
Chapter 37
Emmaline
Well, the Christmas fair hasn’t started off the best.
Mr. Williams, the elementary gym teacher, who was supposed to play Santa got the dates mixed up and is off on a holiday getaway out of town, leaving us without a Santa. We’d already been assigned jobs, with Spencer manning the check-in table, and Callum, Piper, and Cori working tables in the back corners. Meanwhile, I’ve been in charge of keeping visits to less than ten minutes so we can get everyone in.
Colette is stressing—rightfully so—and as luck would have it, Theo shows up and walks right over to where Mia and I are standing with Colette, trying to come up with potential Santa replacements. He looks between the three of us and the panic on our faces, before his gaze settles on Colette.
“What do you need, Starlight?”
There’s a collective sharp intake of breath from the two of us, while Colette stands eerily still. He used to call her that when we were younger but stopped after they broke up. She refused to answer him for months every time he called her that, which I think is why he quit.
Colette shakes her head—obviously warring with her jumbled emotions—before she looks up and meets his eyes. She’sdefinitely suppressing a major grin and there’s a wicked gleam in her eyes as she says, “You’re Santa. The outfit is in the office. Go change.”
And with that, she walks toward the front of the room, grabbing the microphone. “Everyone, can I have your attention for a few minutes?” she waits until it’s as quiet as it can be with the amount of kids in attendance.
“Santa’s Elf on the Shelf, Sparkles”––she points to me, and I wave excitedly at everyone––“just informed me that Santa will be here inten minutes!”
The squeals and cheers are almost deafening, so she waits for them to quiet down. “We will call each kiddo up based on the order in which they were put down on the list. Please enjoy our hot cocoa bar in the back left corner run by my dear snowman friend, Frostbite.”
Cori’s bored,I hate it hereface transforms into one resembling her twin’s. Their wide smiles always force out their matching dimples, and she says hello to everyone.
Colette continues, “We also have Gingersnap and Clover, Santa’s newest artists and toy makers at the back right corner table, just waiting for you guys to visit them to make somethingmagical.” The kids start laughing, as Piper and Callum sing a very off-keyJingle Bells,causing even the adults to laugh at their antics.
“Two more things. A pizza lunch will be provided at noon. Paulie at Anatoli’s was kind enough to donate a large number of pizzas. And parents, there are several fun stations for the kids to play and win prizes at. If you need to step out for any reason, we have a handful of center employees who can help out—but you have to remain on the premises.
“Alrighty. Everyone remember: use nice hands and kind words. Have fun!”
