Page 32 of Single All The Way

I only get a handful of steps before I’m stopped by someone calling my name.

It isn’t Maryann as I hoped, offering to invest in my startup company. It is Santa, who looks flustered from jogging the short distance I placed between us. “I missed Zane this morning when he left your apartment, so perhaps you could give him this for me. I’m running out of time for all my special projects this week.”

After a playful tap of his nose, he places a handwritten receipt in my hand before returning to his station. It is from Saint Nicholas to Zane for three hundred dollars and seventy-five cents.

Too curious for my own good, I ask, “Why does Zane need a receipt?” I’m silenced for the second time by an empty footpath. “Santa?” I call out while twirling in a circle. “Where did you go?”

“To the North Pole, silly,” shouts the little girl, who should be wishing for her two front teeth for Christmas.

When I crank my neck her way, eager to double her belief that Santa exists, I’m the one left reeling in Christmas spirit instead.

I knew I recognized this region of Ravenshoe, but I couldn’t pinpoint why until now.

Zane’s hotel is half a block up. I’m only feet away from him and too giddy with Christmas magic to ponder how unkosher it is to drop in on someone unannounced.

It’s almost Christmas.

People don’t mind if you visit unexpectedly.

Especially when you’re still wearing the racy red number the host picked out when you sent him a not suitable for work image to make sure you didn’t leave his thoughts for even a second during the absence you’re responsible for.

CHAPTER14

Zane

“What do you keep looking at?”

I slant my phone so the glare of the undercabinet lights in my kitchen blocks the pictures Kelsey sent me over an hour ago. They’re X-rated and have me so eager to ditch my mother and sister for the umpteenth time this week that I used every skill I own to pull my mother off the ledge in an hour instead of a week.

I’m emotionally drained and could do with a twelve-hour nap, but Kelsey’s teasing snaps have ensured sleep is the last thing on my mind.

Thank fuck Maryann agreed to interview Kelsey instead of Harrold Marigold. He’s rumored to have broken a handful of his employee’s hearts. I know for a fact he has. More than one of them have been clients of mine.

After a second look at the images causing my skyrocketing temperature, I store my phone in my pocket like the lingerie picks haven’t madeeverythinga tight squeeze, then spin to face my sister. “Just a proposal Emma sent through. Nothing interesting”

“You are such a liar.” Casey throws a balled dishtowel at my head before balancing her elbows on the island she just scrubbed clean.

Our mother’s wedding is in this hotel, so Casey has access to a massive kitchen downstairs, but she’s reserved my kitchen for the baker to finalize the finicky toppers of the two-tiered cake.

“It’s Kelsey, isn’t it?” I don’t get a word out. “Don’t try to deny it. I can see it all over your face. It hasn’t gleamed this brightly since Christmas Eve twenty years ago.”

That was the year before she told me Santa isn’t real.

I refused to speak to her for a month after she ruined my childhood.

I’m on the cusp of spilling every sordid detail of my feelings for Kelsey, but before I can, Casey continues spilling secrets. “Santa is telling everyone he’s responsible for your pairing.”

“What?” I only speak one word, but it is barely audible through my shocked chuckle.

Casey nods. “Charity Santa… the one who’s been following you all over town.”

I knew I wasn’t going crazy.

“He’s taking full credit for your relationship with Kelsey. He even said he—”

She’s interrupted by the trill of the hotel’s landline.

I point at her in warning that our conversation isn’t over before I answer the call. “Hello?”

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