When Angie pulled into Reese’s driveway, the door swung open, and Jeremy walked out, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
‘You’re a lifesaver,’ he said. ‘I have early appointments all week. Reese is convinced I’m leaving her for someone who doesn’t hold a bowling ball in her shirt – her words, not mine.’
‘What’s in it for me?’ Angie asked.
‘I wish I had the time or energy for a snarky remark,’ he said, waving at her as he walked toward his car.
‘See you later,’ Angie said, lifting the metal bowl from the passenger seat.
As Angie made her way up the driveway, she peered at the sky. There were barely any clouds, but the brilliant sun didn’t make much heat. She wished for snow so badly since she missed it all the years she was in California.
Angie approached the door and pushed inside. She peered through the living room toward the kitchen. ‘Hello? Reese?’
A spike of panic welled within her.
‘In here,’ Reese said, calling from the small half-bathroom down the short hallway across the room.
Angie let out a relieved breath. ‘You scared me.’
‘You’re scared? I have no idea when this kid is coming. I’m rolling the dice with every sneeze.’
Reese shuffled into the living room wearing billowy floral pajama pants with an oversized T-shirt. Her fluffy slippers barely lifted from the ground. Angie wished she could have taken a sick day to spend the day with Reese. Her next day off was after Reese’s holiday party. Angie knew she could convince Reese to stay in with her before the hectic holidays and baby preparation rolled around.
‘I smell chocolate,’ Reese said, grabbing the bowl from Angie. She pressed her nose against the plastic wrap and inhaled. ‘Jer already preheated the griddle.’
Angie lifted a container of peanut butter and a can of whipped cream from her purse. ‘All the toppings too.’
‘You’re amazing,’ Reese said, tugging Angie along with her into the kitchen. She lifted the plastic from the bowl and started mixing the batter. ‘How’s work going?’
‘Good. I still haven’t figured out how to help that homeless woman though. I watch out for her when I can, but I haven’t seen her.’
‘After the way that security guard treated her, I’d make myself scarce too.’
Angie plopped onto one of the stools nestled against the breakfast bar, watching Reese pour the batter onto the hot surface of the skillet. Steam rose from the pancakes as they cooked.
Reese whirled around, pointing the spoon at Angie. ‘What’s going on with you and Nick?’
Angie focused on the batter Reese flung from the spoon. She grabbed a paper towel and scooped up the mess. ‘What do you mean?’
‘You didn’t give me many details about the tree decorating.’
‘I sent you a picture of the tree.’ Angie tried to push down the heat in her cheeks as the memory of his kiss flooded her mind. There was no way she could deny the growing feelings she had for him.
‘That’s a tease, Angie.’
‘Why? The tree came out nice.’
‘The only picture I wanted was you two kissing,’ Reese said, pouting her lips.
Angie balked. ‘I’d never send you a picture of that.’
Reese’s eyes widened, and she leaned in closer. ‘So you kissed?’
Angie picked at her nail.
Reese gasped and pointed the spatula at her. ‘Oh my God, you did!’
Angie let out a groan and buried her head in her hands. ‘It just happened.’ With Reese begging her for details, she wasn’t sure what her friend would think. When Nick first asked her out, she wanted to just be friends. But after their night in his apartment with the Christmas music, lights, and the tree, their relationship had changed. Now, she wasn’t sure what she wanted.
‘You wanted him to kiss you.’ Reese turned back to the griddle to flip the pancakes. ‘Spare no details. I’ve run out of romance movies to watch on television.’
‘I came back to start over.’ For the first time, she allowed herself the safe space she needed to sift through her thoughts. If she could tell anyone what was going on in her heart, it was Reese. ‘This is starting the same cycle again. What’s wrong with me?’ Was Nick a coincidence or was she one of those women unable to live her life without a guy?
Reese floated over to Angie and propped her arms on the counter. ‘First of all, there’s nothing wrong with you. Secondly, if you like this guy then don’t let the unfortunate incident with Brett deter you.’
Angie thought of Nick and his hands on her. The warmth of his body created a visceral heat to sear through her in the middle of Reese’s kitchen. ‘I wanted to be friends with him. But when he kissed me, it made me second guess myself. But I can’t fall down this rabbit hole again, so soon. I can’t believe I’m even feeling this.’
‘You’re veering from what I want to know. Tell me about the moment.’
Angie set the scene for her friend, knowing she wouldn’t stop asking until she gave all the details. Angie recalled the memory as if she were experiencing it for the first time. At the time, she was embarrassed and wanted to be anywhere else. But when she remembered the way Nick’s eyes stared down at her, tingles rippled down her arms as she still felt his touch and his lips on hers.
‘If you were into it, why are you so worried about this?’
‘Because I told you I want to be friends. I don’t know where my life is going to go after this week or even this month.’
Reese blew a raspberry. ‘Angie, things have changed. I had a feeling there was something more between you two.’
‘That’s it. There isn’t.’
‘Kissing changes that.’
Nick knew about her past and that she was out of an unhealthy relationship, and yet it seemed as if he wanted to be with her.
‘Did you talk to him about what’s going on between you two?’
‘Weren’t you the one telling me not to get involved?’
‘He already asked you out. He kissed you. Ang, he’s interested. No guy spends that much time with a woman unless he wants more. Maybe it started as a new friendship, but from the way you’re talking and his insistence on spending so much time with you, things are changing. There’s nothing wrong with that. Just as long as you trust him, and this isn’t going to break your heart again.’
‘What if he’s seeing someone else?’
‘Unless he’s like he who should not be named, and a liar, he’s not seeing anyone else. Besides, you’re going to the tree lighting tonight. You said Brett never took you out publicly. This is a step forward.’
Nick wasn’t like Brett. After the tree decorating, she knew that more than ever. ‘I’m not sticking around forever. Is it unfair to start something when I’m not staying forever?’
Reese turned toward the pancake and flipped it. She smacked the top of it with a spatula harder than necessary. ‘He already knows about Brett, right?’
‘Yes,’ Angie said.
‘And that your stay here might be temporary?’
‘Your point?’
‘If he’s still kissing you after that then it seems as if he likes you regardless. Nothing will change his mind unless you do. You can keep your options open.’
A block formed in her mind around the issue. She had the overwhelming urge to change the subject. ‘Do you need any help for the baby shower this weekend?’
‘I know what you’re doing. I’ll go with it for now until you think it over some more. Jer’s mom is taking care of everything. Though I wish she would have done it sooner. With my due date next week, all I want to do is sit on the couch.’
‘That’s all you have to do,’ Angie said. ‘It’s your day and your call. Why did she wait so long?’
‘She wanted a belly for the pictures,’ Reese rolled her eyes. ‘She’s also getting pictures filled with pregnancy rosacea and bloat. That’s just how I want to remember this time of my life.’
Angie tried not to laugh, but Re
ese did first.
‘Gosh, they don’t tell you this stuff in the books,’ she said.
‘You’re glowing,’ Angie said.
‘Like the sun,’ Reese said with tears in her eyes, rubbing her belly slowly as if it were wider. ‘I feel as big too.’
Angie and Reese exploded into a fit of giggles.
***
With the scavenger hunt coming up later that week, Angie had an influx of customers wanting to be sure the mall app worked for them. The mall was busier during the afternoon shifts, and she didn’t mind keeping busy. The burning desire to figure out how to help Hazel subsided when she had her mind on other tasks. But it returned vigorously during her break.
Angie mulled over the idea even more and couldn’t wait to finish her shift in an hour to get home. She was meeting Nick at the tree lighting ceremony and wanted him near her for another possible surge of inspiration.
Reese’s teasing tone appeared in Angie’s head about Nick becoming something more. If she were honest with herself, she wanted to be near him. It felt more right than wrong, and she would run with the feeling. Maybe this Christmas would be different. Angie had no idea what her future looked like but enjoyed every second with Nick. Maybe it was time to focus on her present than her future. At least for a little while.
A child screamed, snapping Angie back to the present.
‘Honey, please stop pulling your sister’s hair,’ a mother said. She was next in line with one kid strapped to her chest while two young blonde girls ran around her feet as she somehow balanced a stack of bags on a double stroller.
‘I can help you,’ Angie said, wanting to give the woman what she needed right away.
‘Thanks,’ the mother said, blowing her brown curls off her face. Her cheeks were red and splotchy. It was hot in the mall normally. Angie couldn’t imagine how this woman felt. ‘I’m looking for a candle place. I thought it was on this floor.’
‘That store closed last year,’ Angie said.
The mother looked as if she were going to burst out crying like her daughter.
‘But there is an excellent selection of candles at Bloomfield’s. I used to work there too. They make great gifts.’
‘Do they wrap presents too?’ she asked.
‘Not anymore. They have a do-it-yourself station though.’
The mother glanced at her kids. The girls were circling her legs, pinching the other’s arms while screeching.
‘I would pay good money for someone else to handle that part of Christmas for me,’ she said. ‘I’ll check them out. Thanks.’
The woman shuffled away, dropping to her kid’s levels to scold them. The two girls quieted, but Angie wondered for how long. They walked away, and Angie was unable to imagine how much this woman had on her plate for the holidays. She wished she could have helped her with something other than pointing out the store for a gift. The woman probably passed out the moment her kids did, but with the holiday preparations there was extra stress involved. The DIY station at Bloomfield’s wasn’t that helpful with her kids running around her. She pondered the thought for a moment.
‘Gift-wrapping,’ Angie said aloud.
‘What was that?’ Stuart snorted awake. He tended to power-nap through his breaks.
‘A charity gift-wrapping station,’ Angie said, feeling the idea unfurl in her mind.
Stuart shook his head.
‘Never mind.’ Angie grabbed her phone, searching for a number on her previous calls list. She had no reason to call anyone but Reese and her mother anymore, so Maya’s number was the only one not saved on her phone.
‘Maya Theroux,’ Maya said on the second ring.
‘Hi, Maya. It’s Angie.’
A long pause on the other end.
‘Angie Martinelli.’
‘Oh, hi. What’s going on?’
Angie explained her plan to Maya. Maya didn’t seem as excited as Angie was, but she didn’t tell her it was a horrible idea.
‘Ginger Reed is in charge of special events. Let me look at her schedule here.’ Clicks sounded from the other end. ‘She’s free this afternoon if you want me to set something up.’
‘Would you?’
‘I just said I would.’
Angie bit back a snarky reply and said, ‘Yes. Thank you.’
When she hung up the phone, a tingling sensation crept up her neck. This was right. This was how she was going to help Hazel.
***
After getting out of work, Angie rushed to the corporate offices. No doubt Ginger was overwhelmed with holiday activities, but she had to try. It was the only idea she had which immediately excited her. That had to mean something. Hopefully, it would help the homeless shelter as well.
When the elevator opened, Maya was walking down the aisle with a mug of coffee in her hands.
‘Maya!’ Angie called out.
Maya stiffened and turned around slowly.
‘Where is Ginger’s office?’
‘Down there,’ Maya said, motioning toward the hallway next to her.
‘Thank you,’ Angie said softly.
On the way, Angie passed a conference room filled with serious men in suits. She tried to be as invisible as possible to them. She thought of every possible question Ginger might have. The idea of the event excited her, and she only hoped Ginger felt the same way.
When Angie reached the office with Ginger’s placard posted on the wall, she knocked on the door.
A woman in her fifties with short gray-streaked blonde hair and bells dangling from her earlobes glanced at Angie before waving her in. The tinkling sound was loud enough for Angie, so she couldn’t imagine what it sounded like all day to Ginger.
‘Maya already called and informed me about your idea.’ Ginger shuffled through the piles of paperwork on her desk. Angie couldn’t imagine working with all that clutter. ‘Have a seat. You’re not the first person to suggest bringing back a wrapping station, but it doesn’t make enough money for it to be worth it with our already busy staff.’
‘People are more willing to give during the holidays. I see so many come through the mall who are exhausted and need some help. I think it has the potential to bring in a lot of money for the homeless shelter.’
‘It will certainly bring a draw for us. There isn’t enough in our budget to pay these people to work the station. I don’t think you will be able to do both.’
‘That’s fine,’ Angie said, expecting it. ‘I can do it during my shift and recruit volunteers to help out. I already have a few interested.’ It was a white lie, but she had met several other retail workers who were excited about the holiday season. If worse came to the worst, she would do it on her own for free outside of her working hours.
‘What is your initial budget for supplies?’ Ginger asked.
‘I thought we could get donations from the stores in the mall. We could display their names on a banner or hand out coupons. I don’t want to take money away from the charity. Otherwise, what’s the point?’
‘Have you spoken to these stores yet?’ Ginger asked.
‘No,’ Angie said, wondering if she should have prepared better. All afternoon she came up with ideas as if her thoughts willed the event into existence. She was a little rusty with her preparation of planning an event. ‘I was under the impression I needed approval first.’
‘You’re right. I’ll need to put this through to my manager but wanted to chat with you first. I will let you know if it goes through.’
‘Great,’ Angie said. ‘I’ll work on everything else in the meantime.’
‘This is a great idea.’
‘I think so too.’
‘I also could use help around the holidays. It seems to get busier each year.’
That was the attitude Angie was hoping for from all the customers. That way they would have a reason to stop by the booth and, in turn, help the shelter.
‘Well, be sure to stop by once it’s set up.’
On the way out of the office, Angie grinned mad
ly at her phone, spilling her ideas onto her notes app. She had to prepare for any other questions coming her way.
The meeting in the conference room let out, and she moved to the side to let them through. A familiar face made her stop.
‘Nick?’ Why was he at the corporate office? Was he looking for her? But he couldn’t have known she was there.
One of them, a tall older man in a suit, stopped in his tracks and dug his hands into his pockets. ‘Nick, you know this woman?’
Angie stuttered, but no comprehensible words came out. Nick in suits. Nick coming to the mall for his lunch break and the café in the morning. Why hadn’t she seen it before?
‘Hey, Angie,’ Nick asked. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘I work here. Remember?’
The other men carried on with their conversations, unaware of the throbbing heartbeat rushing in her ears. Angie had the urge to follow them and flee from the situation, but she wouldn’t allow another guy she liked to lie to her.
Nick glanced at the older man who was still staring at her. ‘Dad, we can meet in your office shortly.’
‘Don’t be long,’ Nick’s dad said.
‘Can we talk in here?’ Nick sidestepped her and gestured toward the conference room.
Angie furiously rubbed her arms, the goose bumps springing up under her hands. She wanted answers so she stormed into the conference room. A long table faced a widescreen television hung against the wall. The remnants of their lunch – wrapped sandwiches and scattered bags of chips – were sprawled across two black trays in the center of the table.
‘Why didn’t you tell me you worked here?’ Angie asked. ‘Are you my boss or something?’
‘Sort of.’ Nick closed the door, but there wasn’t much privacy since the room’s walls were made of glass. ‘Let me explain.’
Angie crossed her arms, now willing to stick around to hear how he had lied to her.
‘I am a manager in this office. But Maya was the one who hired you. I had nothing to do with it.’
‘Why did you lie to me?’
Nick hesitated and Angie wasn’t sure if she was ready for his response.
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