I couldn’t help it—I smiled. It was the first time, all morning, that I felt like maybe I wasn’t completely doomed.
Without skipping a beat, she picked up the elf costume that was lying on one of the boxes and went behind the screen that had been put up as a makeshift changing area. Before I could even fully process how this woman had gone from planning to eat breakfast with Maggie to now being my elf, she rounded the screen in full elf attire.
Belle adjusted the oversized elf hat and smiled up at me. “How do I look?”
How did she look? She looked hot. I didn’t even know someone could look so good in an elf costume.But the way the short skirt cinched in at her waist and flared out, exposing her legs, which were only covered by sheer red tights, had me working to swallow.
“Festive,” I finally choked out, trying not to stare too long.
Her cheeks turned the same shade as her tights—my staring must have not gone unnoticed.
“That’s perfect, then,” she said.
She had no idea.
Suddenly someone tapped a microphone and asked the audience if they were ready to meet Santa. The squeal of children’s excitement told me that was my cue.
Belle glanced up at me. “Hey. You’ve got this.”
I nodded, not sure I believed it, but it was game time. I was definitely going to need to channel my inner athlete on this.
The first few kids were simple enough. A toddler in footie pajamas just wanted to tug on my beard. A little boy wanted a fire truck that sprayed actual water, and I figured there was a toy that did, so I told him I’d make it happen. A little girl kept asking me questions about Mrs. Claus and I did my best to answer them, but I wasn’t sure she was satisfied.
Thankfully, Belle made it easier. She knelt beside the kids, asked questions in a soft, excited voice, and kept the energy light and warm. When one boy got shy and buried his face in his mom’s sweater, Belle knelt down and offered him a candy cane, talking to him about reindeer names until he peeked out again.
I watched her, and something tugged deep in mychest. She was sonaturalat this. She was kind, patient, and funny without trying. And even when she glanced back at me and smiled, like she was making sure I was okay, I could barely breathe.
“Next!” Belle called cheerfully, motioning for a girl in sparkly boots and pigtails to come forward.
She climbed onto my lap like a pro and leaned in close. “Are you and the elf married?”
Belle choked on a laugh from beside me.
I blinked. “Uh…no. We’re not?—”
“But you like her,” the girl said knowingly. “You look at her like my dad looks at my mom.”
Belle went very still beside me.
I opened my mouth. Nothing came out. The girl just patted my arm and grinned. “It’s okay. I won’t tell anyone. Merry Christmas, Santa.”
She hopped off my lap and skipped away.
By the time I was done meeting with every kid, I was both exhausted and proud. I didn’t think I ruined anyone’s Christmas, and I’d only made three kids cry. I was counting my Santa gig as a win.
“Thanks for coming to my rescue today,” I said as we walked back to the staff room to return our costumes.
“I’m glad I could help,” Belle said, not looking nearly as worn out as I felt. “I had a lot of fun. And you had nothing to worry about. You were great with the kids.”
I glanced over at her, still in her elf costume, cheekspink and eyes shining. “Yeah? Even the ones who tried to climb me like a jungle gym?”
She laughed. “Especially those ones. You handled it like a pro.”
I wasn’t sure I agreed, but it was nice of her to say.
“What do you have planned next?” I asked, not wanting our conversation to end yet. Plus, since Alex hadn’t returned last night like he was supposed to, I wondered if she would be alone. And hadn’t he asked me to keep her company?
“Nothing, actually.” Her shoulders slumped ever so slightly, but I saw it.
