Page 16 of A Cheesecake Christmas

“Has any legal recourse been started?” Theo asks. “Is anyone suing Carl and Amanda?”

A hush settles over the room. “Suing?” Marjorie’s voice cracks. “I certainly hope not. Let’s move forward with the festival. If we can partner with Santa’s Helpers, we can show the general public that we’re sorry about the past decisions of the former co-hosts, and we’re doing all we can to make things right.” She chews on her bottom lip.

Liz places a hand on Theo’s shoulder. “You might be asked about this in interviews, but perhaps the only acceptable answer to those questions is ‘no comment,’ or ‘next question.’”

“That’s something we can discuss,” he says. “It would be good to have a plan of what to say. Some talking points.”

I see a side of Theo I’ve never seen before. He looks perplexed. Upset, even.

But it doesn’t last. “This is a big commitment.” Theo flashes a winning, flirty smile at Marjorie and Liz. “Do you mind if Aria and I take a moment to discuss?”

“Oh, of course we don’t mind. We’ll get started with other items of business while you two have a little chat.” Liz walks past us and leads us into a narrow hallway. “That room on the left is empty. Feel free to talk in there.” She smiles widely at us, her brows climbing up her face. “And please understand, we and the whole city of New Hedge thank you for your sacrifices to the cause. I just know your efforts are going to bring in so much cash for gifts for the kids.”

She shuffles us inside and then closes the door with a bang.

“She had to bring up the kids, huh? That’s a little unfair.” Theo slings his long body into one of the chairs at the small table.

I set my bag down on the table and slowly sink into the opposite chair, guarded. “This feels like an interrogation room.”

“I wonder if they brought Carl and Amanda in here to question them.” Theo’s grin is wide.

“I think that law was a solid career choice for you,” I say with a laugh. “Let’s just get this over with. What are we going to do?”

“First of all, I’m going to give Weatherby a piece of my mind.”

“No, you’re not. He holds your future in his hands.”

“That’s painfully true,” Theo concedes. “And he didn’t exactly give me a choice. He said his wife is concerned—'in a tizzy’ were his exact words—that the festival might not happen this year because of Carl and Amanda. He promised her he’d get me involved. He told me I need to ‘save the festival’ and if I do, I’ll get the Dahlen account.”

“What’s the Dahlen account?”

“It’s a big deal. The mother lode.” He nods slowly. “High profile and a lot of billable hours, but it’s also the biggest opportunity I’ve had yet. It’s what I’ve been waiting for.”

“I hope you get it.”

“Thanks. And I hope we can save the festival, whatever that means.”

“Did he give you any ideas on how he expected you to save it?” The thought of the festival ceasing to exist this year lights a fire in my belly.

“No. I thought he was being dramatic. He didn’t tell me much about it.” He drums his fingers on the table.

The man can’t hold still. Why do I find that kind of cute? He must notice my vague smile in his direction because he looks like he’s now fighting back a smile. So many smiles.

“I have a confession to make,” he says, his eyes narrowing in my direction, like he doesn’t want to admit whatever he’s about to say.

“Oh no.”

“I don’t like Christmas. I feel like you should know that upfront.”

My mouth goes wide. “Are you serious right now?”

He lifts a shoulder. “It’s not a crime. I’m just not a fan.”

“In New Hedge, that’s definitely a crime, Theo. How can you not like Christmas? That’s like saying, I really don’t like breathing, or eating.”

His mouth bunches up. “No reason, really. My mom and my stepfather, Odin, tried to make it fun for Jesse and me when we were little. But it’s not my favorite.”

There’s more to this. That much is clear. But I’m not going to press him on it. Maybe when he was a kid, he broke his arm on Christmas Day. Or maybe his great-uncle choked on some peanut brittle and died. Whatever it was, I’m going to have to wait to find out.

---