Wrapped Up for Christmas

by Katlyn Duncan

  ‘When people I’m interested in find out what I do, everything changes.’

  ‘What are you talking about?’ Since when had this become about him? The slimy feeling she felt when she thought of Brett slinked through her.

  ‘To some, I look like a walking credit card to the shops. My ex, Molly, she had those tendencies.’

  Angie wasn’t like that, but clearly for some reason he thought she was. Memories of them together flitted through her mind. They had done normal Christmassy activities together. Had he thought she was so shallow?

  ‘That doesn’t make up for the fact that you lied.’

  ‘I know. I was going to tell you. It didn’t slip into the conversation easily, and I didn’t want to ruin anything between us. You said your ex was your boss. I thought if you knew, you wouldn’t be interested in seeing me again. I’m sorry I kept it from you.’

  What else had he lied to her about during the course of their relationship? ‘I have to go, Nick.’

  ‘Are we still meeting tonight?’ His eyes were wide and almost pleading. But even puppy-dog eyes weren’t going to change her mind. Angie’s head felt scrambled and she needed some time to clear it.

  ‘I don’t think so.’

  ‘I said I was sorry.’

  ‘I hear you,’ she said.

  He let out a small, sharp breath. ‘Listen, I have to be there anyway. If you change your mind, let me know.’

  Angie nodded and pulled the door open, darting out of the conference room as quickly as possible. Her hands trembled and hot tears sprung in her eyes as she reached for her phone.

  In the elevator, Angie was finally able to release a breath. Then, she dialed Reese’s number.

  ‘Hey,’ Reese said. ‘Miss me already?’

  ‘Nick works here.’

  A long pause. ‘Works where?’

  ‘The mall. I just saw him in his office.’

  ‘Back up. Nick works at the mall?’

  ‘He’s one of the corporate people. A manager.’

  ‘So he’s your boss?’

  ‘I guess.’ How could she have wandered into this situation again? She was a magnet for liars. Reese was right from the start. Angie shouldn’t have offered to go Christmas tree shopping with him or gone to his apartment. She wouldn’t have gone out with him, had feelings for him? That all seemed to go out the window the moment he appeared in front of her, at her workplace.

  ‘What did he say?’

  ‘Something about people seeing him as a walking credit card and bad relationships in the past.’ How could he think she was like that?

  ‘Well, he did pay for you the first time you saw him,’ Reese said.

  ‘Because my card was declined. I’m not like that.’

  ‘Angie, I know. I’m on your side one hundred per cent, but from his perspective, he seems to have trust issues too. Maybe he wanted to get to know you better before he told you. I’m not making excuses for him, but from the way you described him, he seems like a good guy.’

  ‘I don’t have trust issues.’

  ‘You do. I’m saying that in the most loving way possible.’

  Angie reached the mall level and strode out of the elevator. ‘What should I do? I can’t afford to give up another job because of a guy.’ She couldn’t quit, not after planning for the gift-wrapping station to help Hazel.

  ‘You have to figure out how you feel about him. If you can’t stand to be around him like you did in California with Brett, then quit. Otherwise, you have to do what’s in your heart.’

  ‘I can’t give up on Hazel.’

  ‘Then you know what you have to do.’

  ‘He still wanted to go to the tree lighting, can you believe it?’

  There was a long pause on the other end.

  ‘What, Reese?’

  ‘If he still wants to go out with you, even after admitting his issues, I wonder if it would be worth giving him another chance.’

  ‘You can’t be serious.’

  Angie could almost hear her friend shrugging. ‘As much as I want you to myself while you’re home, you should consider what not going would mean.’

  If she didn’t go, that would tell Nick that she was no longer interested in him. But how could she be? Angie swore not to get her heart broken by another liar, and a boss no less. Nick seemed genuinely upset at the situation, and other than the omission about his job, she suspected everything else about his life was the truth.

  ‘I’ll have to think about it.’

  Chapter 14

  Nick stood in the hallway, unsure of what to do next. He couldn’t believe he’d run into Angie in the office. He supposed it was inevitable, but it wasn’t at all how he wanted to tell her the truth about where he worked. He felt a wrench in his stomach as he wondered if he had completely blown it.

  ‘Nick,’ someone said from behind him.

  He snapped back to the present and turned to Ginger. The tinkling bells from her earrings followed her as she walked. She’d worn those earrings all week. He wondered if she heard them even after she took them off.

  ‘I didn’t mean to startle you,’ she said.

  He plastered on a smile, determined not to show anyone how much Angie had affected him.

  ‘Did Angie already talk to you?’ she asked.

  He blinked. Did everyone know about his lie?

  ‘About the gift-wrapping station?’ she asked.

  ‘No, she didn’t.’

  ‘Oh, in that case, I wanted to run it past you.’

  ‘Sure,’ he said.

  ‘Angela Martinelli, the new information specialist, had an idea for a charity gift-wrapping station.’

  ‘She did?’

  Ginger nodded. Those bells chimed again. Nick winced, but Ginger seemed deaf to them.

  ‘Maya gave me a heads up, so I did my own research. In past surveys, customers have wanted us to bring back the wrapping booth at Bloomfield’s, but it wasn’t cost effective. With Angie’s idea, we can give them what they want to get more of a draw to our mall without the costs involved. And it will offer us more reach within the community.’

  Even without Ginger’s pitch, Nick approved Angie’s gift-wrapping idea without hesitation. He knew she’d be able to pull it off and he loved how it would help the homeless shelter. He wasn’t sure why he hadn’t thought of it before.

  Nick knew Angie would get a boost of confidence from the idea. He couldn’t wait to see her tonight to discuss it. His stomach dropped again. That was, if she showed up.

  Ginger handed over the proposal, and he signed off on it.

  On the way back to his office, Nick considered the tree lighting ceremony. If he had told Angie about his job from the start, maybe she would have been okay with it. Now, he had no idea what to expect. The unknown worried him more than the secret he had kept from her.

  Nick couldn’t ignore the memory of her in his arms the other night. In the time they spent together, he knew she’d started to have feelings for him too. He felt it in every fiber of his being. Had he ruined any chance with her?

  A ping from his computer broke Nick away from his thoughts. He had five minutes until his next meeting. His day was packed with them. At least he hoped they would distract him from his racing thoughts.

  ***

  Due to the tree lighting ceremony, the office closed promptly at five. City Hall planned the event, but it was close enough to the mall that most employees attended. There were food vendors and crafts available to buy before and after the ceremony. It was one of the local family events which drew in most of the town and surrounding areas.

  Nick left work earlier than his dad would have liked to change into more comfortable clothes for the event. The temperatures dipped at night, and he wanted to be warm. Many of the office employees would be there, but he wasn’t going to risk getting pegged as their workaholic boss.

  On the way over, he practiced what he would say to Angie if she showed up. For some reason, the words came out robotic and without feeling. Hea
t licked at his skin, and his hands slid along the steering wheel as he drove.

  After parking, he approached the thirty-foot tree centered in the outdoor courtyard a block away from the mall. The smaller trees outlining the sidewalks had twinkled since the first of December. But the larger tree lighting signaled the official start of the season. Nick had glimpsed the maintenance staff stringing lights during the day, but there was nothing like seeing it lit up at night.

  As a child, Nick had attended the ceremony with David and his mom while his dad worked. In his younger years, Nick would stare at the lit corner office, trying to make believe his dad was with them. His delusions worked until his teenage years when he wanted nothing to do with his parents. Then, after high school, he didn’t bother going unless it was in a professional capacity. He would have continued that way if David had stayed at the company. Since then, he had avoided eye contact with employees or given a curt nod – something he’d unconsciously learned from his father – but this year, he wanted to be a part of this as much as they were.

  Nick walked around the area, stopping to look at the craft tables filled with decorations, ornaments, and jewelry. He spotted several employees and their families, Maya and her husband included. They were in line at the food trucks. There were already droves of people wanting to eat before the lighting. It was a part of the town tradition which he wanted to share with Angie.

  Within fifteen minutes, the press of people around him started to grow. He wouldn’t blame Angie for standing him up, but he hoped he’d have the chance to explain himself further. What he told her before was the truth, but he hadn’t given her context of his worry. He wanted to share his entire self, only if she gave him a chance.

  Nick spotted a familiar splash of coiffed gray hair in the crowd, and his body stiffened. His father had sent a memo to the staff to attend the event, but Nick hadn’t expected to see him right away. Quinn weaved through the people with his eyes trained on Nick. His mother, Jared, Ivy, and another older woman accompanied him.

  For once that day, Nick was glad Angie wasn’t there.

  Nick’s mother, Yvette, wore black pants and heels as if she were going to church. She always dressed up whenever she left the house, and tonight was no exception.

  ‘Hey, Mom,’ Nick said, kissing her cheek.

  ‘Are you here alone?’ she asked.

  ‘I’m waiting for someone,’ he said, giving a pointed glance at his father. They hadn’t discussed Angie’s arrival in the office earlier that day. Nick intended for it to stay that way.

  ‘Nicholas, I didn’t realize you left early,’ Quinn asked. ‘I was looking for you. I thought we could come together.’

  No doubt, his dad invited Jared’s family to surprise him again.

  Nick shook hands with Jared and introduced himself to Ivy’s mother. Fiona Kent was an elegant woman like her daughter. She was taller than her husband and dressed as formal as Ivy.

  ‘Hi, Ivy.’

  Ivy kissed Nick’s cheek again, this time it was farther away from his lips than last time. ‘Nice to see you again.’

  ‘Nice to meet you,’ Nick said to Jared. His cheeks were red, and he was slightly overweight. If someone slapped on a white beard he could have been mistaken for Santa. He looked as if he dipped into all the Christmas cookies this time of year.

  ‘I remember you when you were this tall.’ Jared held a hand at his waist.

  Quinn nodded at Ivy. ‘What have you two been up to on your dates?’

  ‘We went to the park this week as friends, Dad,’ Nick said.

  Ivy came to his rescue. ‘I wanted to ask Nick for his opinion about the project.’ She gave her father a shaky smile. She seemed as unnerved by having their fathers around as Nick did. At least he wasn’t alone.

  ‘It can’t be all work and no play,’ Quinn said, chuckling.

  Nick had to cover up his scoff with his hand. His father never took that advice.

  Ivy rocked on her heels, scanning the area. ‘Mom, did you want to check out the craft tables? I think I saw some nice ornaments over there.’

  ‘I’d love to come with you,’ Yvette said.

  Jared chuckled. ‘I’ll be along shortly.’

  Ivy reached out and squeezed Nick’s hand. ‘I’ll see you around.’

  ‘Good to see you, Ivy,’ Nick said, once again scanning the crowd for Angie. The more people came into the area, the less likely he’d be able to spot her.

  Quinn clapped a hand on Nick’s back. ‘Nick, be sure to mingle with the employees. It’s good for morale. And make sure to find us before the lighting.’

  When they left, Nick was finally able to breathe. He wanted nothing less than to stand awkwardly with his parents while his dad tried to push him and Ivy together. But he’d have no choice if Angie didn’t show up.

  ‘Nick.’ His name from a familiar voice forced him to turn in Angie’s direction.

  Angie’s gloved hands fisted at her sides as she approached him. The pom-pom on her hat bounced as she walked. A breath stole from his lips at the sight of her.

  ‘You came,’ he said. ‘Angie, I’m so sorry.’

  She held a hand between them. ‘I understand what you said before. But that doesn’t excuse you lying to me.’

  He’d never do it again as long as she would forgive him. ‘I know—’

  ‘Can we start over?’ She locked eyes with him.

  ‘Yes. Absolutely.’ His heart had never been so full before.

  ‘After what happened in California, I don’t want to be lied to again.’

  ‘I understand. I never intended to lie to you about it.’

  ‘I also understand your reasoning as well. Just promise we’ll be honest with each other from now on.’

  ‘I will.’

  ‘Good.’ She grinned.

  ‘Ginger told me about your idea,’ he said. ‘I approved it immediately.’

  Her eyes lit up, and Nick never wanted to see the light removed from them again. ‘You did?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘It just came to me. I think it will bring in a lot of money for the shelter. Don’t you?’ Her grin was unmistakable, and his worries fled his mind.

  ‘I told you I would pay you to wrap my gifts,’ Nick said.

  ‘There was this mother at the mall who was so overwhelmed. I think you were the initial spark of the idea and she solidified it. So, thank you.’

  ‘You’re welcome,’ he said.

  Angie walked forward and Nick followed her. He wasn’t going to leave her side again. They weaved through the craft tables toward the tree.

  ‘I need to find volunteers to fill the spots. But I think I can do it while working at the booth,’ she said.

  ‘You could set hours for it,’ Nick said, ‘depending on how many volunteers you have.’

  ‘That’s a great idea. I want to have it all day to appeal to different types of customers. Not everyone can take time during the week to shop.’

  Several kids darted past them, pushing them together. ‘This event is much bigger than I remember,’ Angie said with a laugh.

  ‘Over the years, it’s grown. They even have local food trucks and restaurants to extend the event even more. Did you eat?’

  ‘I wanted to have the full experience, even though my mom was upset that I didn’t have dinner with them. I can’t believe she’s missing it this year,’ Angie said, staring up at the tree. ‘She has to stay home with Nonna and Nonno since they’re uncomfortable in the cold.’ She took out her phone and snapped a picture of the tree before texting it to her mother.

  ‘Do you see anyone you know?’ Now that everything was out in the open, he wanted to get to know more about the people in her life.

  Angie peered through as much of the crowd as she could. She lifted onto her toes and pressed her hand against Nick’s shoulder. ‘Some people from the stores. Reese wasn’t feeling up to it tonight. Did I tell you she’s due in a week?’

  ‘You didn’t,’ Nick said.

 
‘Her baby shower is this weekend,’ Angie said. ‘Sunday.’

  Nick couldn’t help noticing that Angie wanted him to know her schedule. At least he hoped. He glanced at the four trucks in front of them with different types of food available on their menus. ‘Where do you want to eat?’

  Angie drifted toward one of the smaller lines. ‘I know I should be sick of Italian food, but I want to get my fill while I’m home.’ A picture of a giant meatball took up half the side of the truck.

  While they waited, the conversation drifted back to the wrapping station. Now that Angie knew about Nick’s involvement, she wanted his opinions. It was a new experience talking about work with her. His mind drifted back to Molly, who didn’t want to talk about his work outside of corporate functions. He had lucked out with Angie and would do anything to keep her trust.

  ‘The last item on my list is to rent a table,’ Angie said. ‘I don’t want to spend too much money out of my initial budget, but it is necessary. I’m not about to wrap gifts on the floor.’ She laughed, a low chuckle in her throat. ‘The information booth is too small for multiple people. Ginger said most of the tables are in use for other events.’

  Nick recalled the table he’d seen in David’s workshop. ‘My brother is a craftsman. He has this beautiful table available. I’m sure he’d be happy to let you borrow it.’

  ‘Seriously? That’s amazing. Tell him I’ll put a covering over the top, so it doesn’t get ruined. He can leave his business cards too. I could repay him with potential business.’

  ‘I’ll ask him,’ Nick said, typing a message to David. He didn’t want to forget to ask. ‘I’m sure he’d be able to drop it off tomorrow.’

  ‘It would be nice to meet your family.’

  Nick glanced at her. Technically, she had met his father earlier in the day. But with Ivy around, Nick wasn’t going anywhere near him for fear of scaring Angie away again.

  Angie cleared her throat. ‘I mean, it’s only fair since you met mine.’

  ‘Of course.’ Nick reached over and brushed his fingers over the top of her hand. ‘I think you’ll like David.’

  ‘I think so too,’ she said, staring at their hands touching.

  Nick wanted to reassure her, but he hadn’t expected the tingling in his fingers.