Page 79 of The Santa Rules
He’s next to me in two steps as he grabs my hand and pulls me into a relatively chaste kiss. I can hear the girls making catcalls behind me, but I’m totally wrapped up in this man.
When he pulls back, he leans in, his lips ghosting my ear. “That’ll give you something to talk about.” His voice is husky and full of promise.
Then he straightens up and addresses me normally. “So, where should I put Santa’s throne?”
“You can put it over on the stage in front of the flats,” I answer as I stare up at him in wonder and try not to think about how we defiled that throne. I’m so proud of him for being bold and also in shock that he made such a public declaration by kissing me since I know he’s not a fan of the small-town gossip.
He lifts the chair and carries it across the room, but before I have time to digest his actions further, Isaac walks up carrying a box.
“What’s in there?” I ask, and he shrugs.
I peel open the flaps and let out a little squeal.
“What is it?” Isaac asks as his curiosity gets the better of him.
“Don’t tell Hardy, but I got him a Santa costume for tomorrow. And it comes with everything, even the sack!”
“Ooh, most of the sets I’ve seen don’t include the sack,” Summer says as she walks over, inspecting the box.
“How big is the sack?” Raven asks. “Is it an appropriate size? Can it hold all the gifts?”
“Does the sack match the rest of the outfit?” Lucy asks.
“You know, I think it does! The sack totally matches the hat, just like the carpet matches the drapes.” The girls cackle behind me.
“Oh my God, how old are you guys? Can you please stopsaying ‘sack?’ People are staring,” Isaac grumbles as he turns a deep shade of red.
“Says the kid who drew a dick on my car. You can dish it out, but you can’t take it?”
“Whatever. I’m going to go help Hardy,” Isaac says as he stomps off.
“Shit, is that our future?” Raven asks.
All their kids are ten and under. I’m the only one with a newly minted teenager. “Yup. Be prepared, ladies. They turn into moody little jerks.”
“Lay off it, Chuck,” Amber says, walking past us in a huff with her husband close on her heels. We do the obligatory back-away-and-look-around move, but we’re all secretly hanging on every word of their exchange.
“Did he smell like booze to anyone else?” Lucy asks, holding her fingers under her nose.
“He smells like that at work all the time,” Raven tells us. “I’ve said something to our supervisor, but they used to play football together in high school, so my complaints go unheard.”
“There are kids around. He really shouldn’t be doing that at a school.” Summer crosses her arms.
“He shouldn’t be doing that anywhere. And I don’t disagree with anything you all are saying, but I need this to go smoothly tomorrow. We’re going to keep our heads down and run interference if we need to, but I’m not saying anything to Amber. I don’t need her to make my life any more miserable.” And God forbid she tries to ruin what I have going with Hardy.
“Who cares what Anal Amber thinks?” Lucy huffs.
We all burst into laughter.
“Oh my God, that name is so going to stick!” I wheeze.
Raven looks between us, slightly confused. “Are we calling her anal because she’s uptight or because?—”
“Because she likes ituphertighthole?” I finish for her, and our fit of laughter continues.
“You have to stop. I’m going to pee my pants,” Summer wheezes.
Hardy walks up to us and surveys the group. “Do I want to know?” he asks, turning to me. I shake my head. “I’ve got everything ready on the stage so you can do the Santa pictures. And Isaac is almost finished setting up all the tables. Then we can start laying out all the items. The prices are broken down by section with the cheapest near the door and the most expensive on the opposite end.”
