Page 41 of Sleighing You
Chapter 17
Avery
As I finished up story time with the kids, I closed the book and glanced up just in time to catch Chris at the register, ringing up… Ed? These fake spectacles must be messing with my eyesight. Because there was no way in a frigid hell that Ed Williams was buying something from my store.
But sure enough, Chris handed him the shopping bag and caught my shocked expression, volleying a cocky wink back in my direction. I waved goodbye to the children—who were already up from the circle and talking excitedly with their parents about Santa and presents and reindeer—and rushed over to Chris as Ed shuffled away, balancing precariously on top of his cane.
“What the heck did you just sell Ed?”
Chris’s eyes sparkled and he winked. “Do you notice anything missing from the display case?”
I swung my gaze to the snow globes.No. It was gone. The stupid ice skating Santa snow globe wasgone.
“How… how did you do that?”
Chris leaned his elbows onto the counter and drew his lips into a lopsided grin that managed to be both infuriatingly cocky and sexy all at once. “I told you the first day we met… I amthatgood.” His brows jumped with an intentional lift, and with an exaggerated smolder in his eyes, he added, “At most things, wouldn’t you say?”
I gasped and pressed a hand to my sternum in a melodramatic huff. “How dare you? I, Mrs. Claus, am a married woman.”
He stood straighter, shaking his head while chuckling at my acting skills, and crossed out from behind the counter. It was easy to forget how much bigger Chris was than me… not only in height, but also in his broad shoulders, wide chest, and muscled biceps that all so nicely filled out his expensive cashmere sweater. “Then you better hurry and change so I can kiss you.” He licked his bottom lip. A shiver tumbled down my spine as I remembered all the things that wicked tongue of his could do to my body.
What were we doing? Only a matter of hours ago, his ex had come barging into our lives. And even though I felt confident that Chris wasn’t the type to drop me for her… it left all kinds of questions eating away at me. What was I to Chris? How long was he staying in Maple Grove? Was our relationship just a holiday affair? Or was I something more… something lasting?
I’d never been good at concealing my emotions. He must have sensed my growing concerns, because his playful and lustful gaze turned serious. He lifted his hand to my face, brushing his knuckle down the line of my cheek. “What’s wrong?”
I opened my mouth to ask him all those questions I had just been thinking. But before I could get the words out, the sound of ringing bells above the door shattered the moment. I jumped back a foot away from Chris to find his dad standing there on crutches, hobbling through the front door with Cecilia at his side. “Jack!” I cried out and rushed over to him.
Humor flashed in his eyes and he chuckled, hugging me. “Well, hello, Mrs. Claus,” Jack said.
Chris was right behind me, greeting his parents with a beaming smile. “Hey, Dad.” He and his father embraced in a warm, loving hug before Chris shifted to his mother who pulled him in for kisses on his cheeks and her own long hug.
Cecilia then turned to me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders, whispering, “I think we might have to make some alterations to that costume if you’re to continue the legacy of Mrs. Claus.”
“Oh no,” I laughed. “Pleasetell me you’ll be back next year to reprise your roles.”
She winked a bright green eye that reminded me so much of her son’s. “We’ll see. Lots can happen in a year.”
Jack’s hand fell to my shoulder. “Why don’t you go up and change so we can start the tour for the board.”
I peeked behind him, and sure enough, there was a handful of men and women in suits, examining the store… including Chris’s ex from this morning.
What the hell was she doing here? Wasn’t the tour for board members only?
My blood ran ice cold. Oh, God. Was she a board member? I racked my brain, trying to remember if I saw her face at any of the other meetings I’d taken part in, but I couldn’t recall ever seeing her.
My mind was reeling. It had been the right thing to do… giving them space to talk earlier. But holy hell, I wasdyingto know what they talked about. I’d caught a glimpse of them together this morning while they were talking behind the counter. The mistletoe was hung above them, and Helena was helping Chris back into his tie.
It took every bit of fortitude I had to turn around and go back upstairs to give them privacy. When really, all I wanted to do was sink to a crouch and spy on them through the spindles of the stairwell like a kid trying to catch Santa coming down the chimney.
“Avery?” Chris’s hand landed gently on my arm, concern edging into his voice. “Are you okay?”
“Oh, hun,” Cecilia said. “You look pale as a ghost. Do you need water? That costume can be stiflingly hot.”
I cleared my throat and backed away from the group. “I’m… I’m fine. Just a little warm. I’ll be right back.”
I made my way up to my apartment to change out of the Mrs. Claus outfit, but not before stealing a final peek over my shoulder where I discovered Helena already scooting closer to Chris, their shoulders nearly brushing.
I had to admit, they looked good together. Like they belonged on the cover of a magazine. She was everything I wasn’t—tall, poised, classy, sophisticated. She was the petite filet mignon while I was a ground chuck bacon burger.
