Mrs. Claus

by Amanda Lanclos

  He agrees and we set up. It only takes a few minutes to grab the money shot before Brad signals me that I’m done. As he lowers the camera, I replace my microphone in the bag at my feet and stand. While he finishes recapping his lens, my gaze drifts to the doors of the shelter, trying to get a glimpse of what’s inside. The tint is really too dark to see much of anything though I can see shadows moving about inside.

  I see Brad step up beside me and reach for the door handle. He calls out, “Let’s do this, Mason.” As it opens and the air from inside mingles with the outside air, the scent of cinnamon and vanilla wafts out. That’s unexpected.

  What did you think it would smell like? Mold and decay?

  Shaking my head, I step inside and look around.

  Wow. This is nice. Not that I know what a shelter is supposed to look like, but I didn’t think it would look like this. It looks more like a neighborhood coffee shop than a shelter.

  There are people occupying comfortable looking couches and chairs along one wall. There’s also a large bookcase, filled with books, creating a welcoming area to read or just relax. In another corner of the room, there are a few worn, but comfortable looking tables, also filled with people. Off toward the windows that line the street, even more people are in a large carpeted area of the room, working on what appear to be posters. In the very middle of the room, in front of the doors, but set back a ways, is a large counter with two women in front of it and another behind the desk.

  One of the women in front of the desk is very petite and wearing a fire engine red dress with hair not much lighter in color while the other is taller with dark hair, pulled into a low ponytail, and a centerfold ready body that is hugged by a black shirt and well-worn jeans. Her feet are adorned with comfortable sneakers. The woman behind the desk is a few years older and has the look of someone with the weight of the world on her shoulders. She must be the director.

  Is the striking brunette one of the people staying here?

  Why does that matter, Mason?!

  Focus.

  The women must hear the door open because all three turn to look at us as we walk in. The small redhead looks me over and smiles as if she has a secret. The woman behind the desk appears to be nervous. But the tall woman I was just admiring looks at me and her eyes widen while her mouth forms a small “o”. Her gaze travels over me and I react as if she just ran her hands over my body. I’m unable to tear my eyes from her.

  What the hell?

  She recovers before I do and smiles slightly. I see her inhale and exhale quickly before she heads in our direction. When she reaches us, she holds out her hand. I just stare at it. I can’t move. She frowns slightly and lowers it. She smiles again. “Mr. Christmas, I’m Noelle Holley. Theo has gotten you up to speed? Thank you for coming out.”

  SHE’S the chick who runs this place?

  This beautiful woman is who I’m interviewing and will be around for the next month and a half!?

  Mason, what the fuck are you doing? You’re being rude.

  She frowns at me before once again regaining her composure. She holds her palms out to encompass the room since I just basically refused to shake her hand. “Welcome to Blessings House. I’m so happy you’re going to be working with us to get the word out about the shelter and the Joyful Noise Christmas Concert.”

  Right! The Christmas Concert… that’s why I’m here.

  Son of a bitch.

  What is wrong with me?

  Chapter Four

  Noelle

  Why am I rambling? He’s not reacting to anything I do or say?

  What’s going on?

  Did he notice my reaction to him? Did he see me checking him out? Did I offend him?

  Should I keep talking? Is he just going to stand there?

  Shit!

  Finally, Mason shakes his head as if he’s trying to get his bearings. He smiles at me though his eyes are wary as he watches me.

  Crap! He did see me ogling him.

  I didn’t mean to. But the television does not prepare you for how sexy this man really is.

  Holy hell. My panties are wet and he hasn’t said a damn word to me. In fact, he kind of blew me off.

  Maybe I can call Theo and ask for someone else to cover this. Though he said Mason is the best man for this job.

  Ugh…

  “Miss Holley. It’s nice to meet you. I apologize. I’m being rude. Yes, I’m Mason Christmas.” He nods at the good looking, light skinned black man standing next to him. “This is Brad. I understand that you have quite an event coming up and we have the privilege of covering the entire thing.” He gestures to himself and Brad. “We’ll be around a lot for the next few weeks according to Theo. Are you ok with that?”

  Am I ok with that?

  Ok with what?

  My reaction to him or pretending that it’s not there?

  It’s my turn to be rude. I know I should answer him, but my internal freak out has me incapacitated at the moment.

  Thankfully, Becky chooses this exact minute to wander up. I feel her at my side and turn wide, beseeching eyes to her.

  Help me, dammit!

  I see that she understands that I’m incapable of speech, but she has no idea why. Her brow briefly furrows but then she smiles at Joy and Melissa before turning to both men. She looks Mason over and murmurs, “Hello. Well, I must tell you, Mr. Christmas, television doesn’t do you justice. You’re much more attractive in the flesh.”

  My eyes flash to her as if to say, “What the hell are you doing?” and my stomach tightens again.

  Oh, dear God. What is wrong with me?

  She widens her eyes innocently and I swallow the urge to growl at her. Her attention settles on the man with the camera.

  The cameraman I’m assuming?!

  Sheesh, what happened to your brain cells, Noelle?

  Of course he’s a cameraman. He’s holding a freaking camera!

  Becky smiles at him and I’m taken aback. Whoa, this is the “I’m very interested,” smile. The “you better watch your ass cause I want you,” smile. Not that he’s not sexy. He is. He kind of looks like a romance book model, but not like a Fabio. More like the men who are on the cover of GQ, not the dudes who pose in banana hammocks and make me want to throw up in my mouth.

  I just figured she’d be more interested in Mason than in his super sexy sidekick.

  She reaches out and lightly lays her hand on Brad’s arm. His eyes flick down before looking back at her. “I’m Becky. I’m Noelle’s sister and I am the co-director here. I also handle most of the PR, so whatever you need, you just let me know. I’m your girl.” The flirtation is obvious to me so I know that it has to be evident to them, too.

  Brad smiles back at her and I see matching interest in his eyes. “I’m Brad. I’m Mason’s cameraman. I’ll keep that in mind, ma’am.”

  Ma’am? She’s like twenty four.

  Becky laughs and turns to me. I see the fire burning in her eyes.

  Oh, mercy… that man is in trouble.

  I can’t dwell on that though. And I can’t give her hell about it when I’m trying too hard to remember how to breathe and form a coherent sentence in Mason Christmas’ presence.

  Brad looks away from Becky to smile at me. “We need to get a short piece to run tonight. We’ve already shot the exterior of the shelter and the intro but we need some inside footage and then Mason can ask you some questions about the shelter and why you’re putting on the concert. Where would be the best place to shoot the interview part?”

  I blink. “Um, we can do that in my office if that would work? Or out here. Wherever you think would be best.” Sanity returns to me since I’m talking to Brad and not Mason. “You’re the experts in this. I’ll trust you.”

  He nods at me and then looks at Mason, who has stayed quiet through all of this. “Where do you want to shoot?”

  Mason has a weird look on his face, but it disappears at the question and I practically see the wheels in his head turning as he tri
es to work out the best angle. He looks all around and then nods. “I think in here is best. We can get the people working in the background. Maybe with the couches and bookcase?” He’s thinking out loud and I’m fascinated. “We can focus on Miss Holley. It is Miss? Or Mrs?”

  Uh, is he asking if I’m single?

  I nod. “It’s Miss.”

  He nods at me and goes on as if he wasn’t that interested in actually knowing the answer to his question. “With the focus on Miss Holley and the figures behind her just being an accent, I think it’ll add to the piece. Thoughts?”

  Well, ok then. Yup, not even slightly interested.

  Brad nods and looks at Mason. “Perfect. I agree. Let me get set up and you can prep Miss Holley with what you’ll ask and talk about. I’ll call you over when I’m ready for you.”

  Mason acknowledges that he agrees with him and turns to face me. I see Becky walking off with her hand on Brad’s forearm, asking questions.

  Well, those two are obviously attracted to each other.

  Whatever, Noelle. Not why they’re here and this is even better. No distractions to take away from the story.

  Cocking my head to the side, I look at Mason as he squats down to open his bag. He takes out a tiny microphone attached to a box with some wires. Holding out the small part between his fingers he says, “Ok, Miss Holley, let’s get you mic’d up. Can you slide this under your shirt and clip this part to your neckline? The wires will be hidden under the material and this part,” the large box is held up, “clips to the waistband of your pants in the back.

  I shake my head. “No.”

  His mouth drops and a look of confusion crosses his face. “No? No, you can’t clip this on?”

  Smiling at him, I lightly laugh. “Nope. I sure can’t. Not while you’re calling me Miss Holley. My name is Noelle and if we’re going to be spending a lot of time together, I think Noelle is what you should call me, don’t you?”

  He freezes and then smiles.

  My heart starts pounding like a freight train.

  He nods again and a devastating smile fills his face. “I can do that… Noelle. And please call me Mason.”

  Oh boy… that smile… that face… Mason Christmas is going to mess with my mojo… Nothing I can do about that.

  Lord help me.

  Mason

  Noelle just threw me for a loop when she said “no”. I was like, “Wait, she’s not going to let me interview her?! Then why the hell am I here?”

  Then, she got all throaty and sexy and downright flirty and asked me to call her Noelle so how could I not have her call me Mason?

  They’re just names, dumbass.

  I’m trying not to stare as she slips the mic up from under her shirt, but a smooth sliver of her stomach shows and my body reacts.

  Yeah, because you’ve never seen a woman’s stomach before.

  Jesus, Mason.

  She clips the mic on and then reaches behind her to clip on the battery. When she’s done, she looks at me. “Is this right? Is it in the correct place?”

  A better place would be you wrapped in my arms with my mouth devouring yours and us getting naked.

  STOP IT!

  I don’t even talk like that so what the hell is happening? I don’t even know this woman.

  Am I having a mental breakdown from all of the Christmas bullshit being thrust upon me?!

  Like you would turn down a chance to see this gorgeous woman naked, Mason.

  Stop lying to yourself.

  And stop talking to yourself!

  I clear my throat and shake my head to clear it. I have a damn job to do and if this is how it’s starting, this is going to be the longest six weeks of my life!

  “Actually, it needs to be moved a little to the left. Just slightly off center.” I point at it and she moves it. “A little bit more. No, too much.”

  She laughs and sighs. “Um, do you think you can move it? You know where it should be and with me moving it, we’re playing Hot/Cold.”

  Oh, Noelle. All of me is hot and none of me is cold right now.

  But, I nod. “Sure can.” My fingers close over the small microphone and quickly move it, while I attempt desperately not to touch her skin. Once it’s in place, I drop my hands. “There you go. Perfect.”

  Looking down at my notecard with all of the pertinent info, I quickly reread it before looking back at her. “Ok, let me go over the stuff I’ll ask you so you won’t be caught off guard. I’ll do the intro on what you’re putting together. The date and time will be given and then I’ll mention that it’s for the Blessings House and the Food Bank will also accept donations for non-perishables. I’ll then ask you why you’re putting on the concert, who can be involved, where they can contact to be a part of it or make donations, and then finally I’ll lead into the fact that this will be an ongoing story for the next several weeks.” I smile at her. “I’ll be off to the side and only my profile will be in camera view while I’m talking to you, but when you’re answering, talk to me and don’t look directly at the camera. Any questions?”

  She chuckles. “I’m kind of nervous. I’m a go getter and not at all shy, but the fact that this is such a big deal and we need it so much has my nerves shot to shit.” A blush forms over her cheekbones and she blurts out, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cuss.”

  Her blush makes her even more beautiful. I laugh to stop that train of thought. “Don’t worry about it. I cuss, too. Like a sailor. Just not on camera. I’m not Howard Stern and I’d lose my job.”

  She laughs again. “True.”

  Brad calls over, “Y’all ready? I’m all set up over here. Becky helped me get the light right.”

  Becky?

  The tone of my friend’s voice has my brows raising. He’s obviously a little smitten with the blonde vixen and is only too happy to reciprocate her flirtation. If Noelle wasn’t here and she hadn’t already captivated me, I might have been offended at being so obviously overlooked by the stunning blonde.

  Blondes don’t do it for you, not anymore. No thank you!

  And the brunette standing in front of me is striking in her natural and seemingly effortless beauty.

  Ignoring all thoughts of that, I nod at Brad. “We are.”

  Noelle walks with me across the room and as I take my place in front of Brad, I point to where I want her. “This good, Brad? Do we need to move left, right, forward, or backward?”

  He looks through the lens and makes some adjustments as I look over my shoulder. “Stay where you are, Mason. Lighting is perfect. Let’s do the interview and then we’ll move a bit to get your intro and closing.”

  Nodding at him, I mutter, “Ok then, count me off when you’re ready.”

  As Brad makes a few more tweaks, I look at Noelle. “You ready?”

  She nods and then Brad is calling out. “And we’re going in five, four, three, two, one…”

  She nails it. About ten minutes later, I’m once again facing the camera while Brad films. We finish up and he packs up his equipment while I repack my bag. Noelle unclips the mic and hands it to me. As I roll it, I find myself asking her a question. “So, since we’re going to be spending so much time together and this story is basically my job throughout the holiday, would you like to meet up for dinner or a coffee? You can give me all the details and I can sort of get an idea on where to go next with it. Are you free tonight?”

  Did I just ask her that for the story or is there also an ulterior motive in there somewhere?

  Chapter Five

  Noelle

  Did he just ask me out? Did Mason Christmas just ask me on a date? Or is this just research for the story?

  No way he just asked me out. He made it quite clear he wasn’t interested and didn’t care that I was single.

  Don’t overthink it, Noelle. He is giving you NO sign that he’s interested and you don’t have time for distractions anyway.

  Business. Just keep it professional and ignore the fact that he’s like bacon dipped in choc
olate to a fluffy bitch!

  A slight move to our left has me looking away from him. Joy, the new volunteer, is standing there. “I can stay tonight and help with dinner or whatever. Melissa has said she’ll show me the ropes.”

  I blink, “Um, are you sure? It’s only your first day. I don’t want to burn you out and have you not want to come back. It’s my night to help with dinner.”

  Joy smiles at me again. “I don’t mind. Really. I wouldn’t have offered if I did. Besides, you need a break and this story is important, right? A lot is counting on this being successful, so have dinner with Mr. Christmas and discuss. I’ll be just fine.”

  Is she pushing me to go out to dinner with him? It feels like she is.

  And why is the thought of a “date” with Mason Christmas so exciting?

  It’s not a date, Noelle!

  Mason smiles at Joy. “Thank you.” He looks at me and his brow quirks. “So, dinner then?” His voice sounds a little husky.

  IS this a date?

  Looking around the room, I take everything in and then look at him and nod. “Sure. Dinner sounds nice. I’ll tell you all about what we do here and why this concert is so important.”

  See, that was totally professional sounding. He has no idea that Little Drummer Boy is playing in my chest.

  He nods. “Ok, great. I’ll have to lead into my piece at five and six, but I can be out of the station by six twenty or so and pick you up here. Or you can meet me somewhere? Where would you like to go?”

  Um, I don’t even care.

  I shrug. “I eat everything. I’m not picky. I can meet you so you don’t have to come all the way back down here.”

  He laughs. “The station is literally ten minutes away. It’s not that far. Unless you’re more comfortable meeting me. I mean, you don’t know me. I’m safe though. I promise.”

  What is happening? I’m not scared of him. He thinks I’m nervous being somewhere alone with him? Like a vehicle? I’m just trying to be cool here.

  You’re failing miserably, Noelle.

  Yeah, now you have the man thinking you’re scared to get in a car with him.