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JAMES

What’s wrong with me? You’re the one

ruining my day with all this nonsense.

You need to go. I never want to see you

here again.

ANNIE

I’m sorry... I was trying to help...

Annie leaves the café, looking behind her to see Kate peering out sadly from the back room. James is all alone in the front, sitting on the edge of a table with his head in his hands and surrounded by the chaos of a ruined Christmas.

Chapter 8

Mariah

It’s been two days since I’ve worked with Ellie, and somehow I’ve forgotten just how much of a chatterbox she is. Everyone else might say a word or two, then sit in silence while I do my job—which is normal. Ellie, however, is the opposite. I kind of missed it. Almost.

“And ohmygod, Mariah, the makeup you did for me the other day worked!” she squeals in excitement, her whole body tensing like a coiled spring.

“Oh yeah?” I smile, glad she was happy with her results. I apply the primer, running my fingers in quick circles over her skin.

“Yes! He couldn’t take his eyes off me, and after he fixed my stove—”

I snort. “Sounds like a euphemism.”

“—he asked me out! And he totally kissed me when he left. It was just like a little kiss, but still, he’s a gentleman and it was beyond sweet.”

“Aw, that’s nice.” I apply the foundation that’s two shades too light for her skin tone, as per my instructions.

“Yeah! And then, okay, so yesterday, he’d asked me out on a date, and then he came over and he was so sweet! And, you know how important Christmas is to me—”

“Sure do.”

“—and he totally made me a Christmas dinner! Turkey and potatoes and stuffing, the works. He said he made pie, but he was just joking—there was no pie. I’ll have to get him to make me his infamous pie another day.”

I huff a laugh through my nose. It cracks me up, the things Ellie focuses on.

She continues. “And after that we cuddled and talked about life and our plans and then he carried me to bed—literally carried me. He may not have made me pie but that doesn’t mean we didn’t have dessert, if you know that I mean—” Ellie winks at me obnoxiously through the mirror, and I can’t help but shake my head with a smile. Then Ellie clasps her hands and squeezes them to her chest, sighing. “The way he treated me, he was so patient and careful and thoughtful and gentle. Afterward he stayed and snuggled and talked. We want the same number of kids and dogs and chickens! He’s into gardening and homemaking and pickling and I can totally see us on a little acreage together. We have such similar ideas for our futures! I think he’s starting to have feelings for me. I know it’s only been three days, and two and a half dates, but I think he’s really special. You know? When you know, you know, that’s what they say!”

I nod. “I know what you mean. The guy I’m seeing was just supposed to be a fun distraction but he’s... I don’t know.”

“Oh yeah, you’re seeing someone, too! We’re both getting a little Christmas action, eh?”

I grimace. “I don’t know about that, but I saw him again yesterday. And again last night. And again this morning.”

Ellie rubs her hands together. “You gonna elaborate on those details, or are you going to let my imagination do the heavy lifting?”

I place a hand on my hip and tut at her sarcastically. “A lady never relinquishes details.”

She waits, slowly twisting in her chair to look up at me, an eyebrow raising as she does.

I grin and bite my lip against a laugh. “Okay, okay. So last night he comes home from work. It’s late, but I’m waiting up for him. He’s getting a snack from the kitchen, and he lifts me up and puts me on the counter and we, you know, right there.”

Ellie moans. “Hot!”