“I’m filling in for the guy Christa hired. He let her down at the last minute. Flu, I think. Does it matter?”
“Oh. And she hired you because…”
“She hired me to give away candy canes. PR to promote her business. They’re in my sack. It’s all above board.” I shake the big bag I’m holding, which is printed with a photo of the Candy Cabin store on the square.
“I get it. That must be what she forgot to tell me. Um…it’s nice to see you again, how’ve you been?” She blinks several times and adjusts the apron over that horrible sweater.
“Fine. I’m going to walk around and hand out the business cards. That’s part of the job. C’mon, Max.” I whistle through my teeth and Max walks ahead. I follow him through the crowd. It’s an excuse to get my head clear. Melody’s been in my thoughts for years, even though I’ve pushed down my attraction to her out of loyalty to Rhys. Having her right next to me, close enough to smell her soft vanilla scent, is like something out of a dream. I must be light-headed.
I hide behind the Santa beard, letting kids fuss over Max and his antlers, occasionally letting out a rumbly “Ho, ho, ho!” as I walk around the rink, handing out cards for the Candy Cabin.
“Keaton! Hey there!” Magnus stops me. “Impressive beard you’ve got going on there, sir.”
“You recognized me under all this fluffy shit?” I ask.
“I’m good at seeing what’s below the surface, as you well know. Come over here where it’s quiet and we can talk about our project.” He points to a log table and chairs behind a tree, away from the main path. Max and I follow him, sitting down as he pushes a cup of mulled wine towards me and I pull my beard off.
I listen, sipping the orange and cinnamon-scented wine, my mind returning again and again to Melody. It’s like she’s stepped out of my fantasies and into my reality, and I’m just not ready for it.
Magnus tells me about his plans for reviving the area of wasteland around the school. Magnus and I both have our secrets. He’s hugely wealthy, a combination of inherited money and good business deals, but he keeps that to himself.
It’s something the two of us have in common. Magnus helped me sell the app I built to the highest bidder, making me a multi-millionaire by the time I was twenty-three. We did it all through an anonymous company, as I had zero interest in courting fame or any of the other bullshit that comes with it.
I bought my parents a place in Australia and moved from my tiny studio into the family house here in Snowflake. They fell in love with the sunny climate and decided to make their stay permanent. I’ve visited a few times, but it’s not for me. Too damn hot. My roots are here in this small town and I want it to thrive. My money means I can help people out without giving myself away. So the ice rink, the renovated church, and the town hall’s brand-new roof are all my doing.
I take jobs like this Santa fiasco to cover for the fact that I’m not working. I also help out at the animal shelter in Bakersville, which is where Max came into my life. Max leans against Magnus’s leg and he scratches behind his ears.
“You have a faraway look in your eyes, Keaton. Girl trouble?” Magnus’s green eyes crinkle at the corners as he smiles. He’s always bugging me to get out there and date someone. He thinks it would make me less grouchy.
“Nope. I can’t wait to get this Santa shit off, though.” I scratch under the polyester collar of the red suit.
“Just think of it as the perfect disguise. You can eavesdrop on conversations, see who needs help, and what the reaction to the rink is. Santa Sleuth.” He raises an eyebrow.
I snort. “Good one. I’ll report back.”
“Thank you. This rink was a good idea. Snowflake needed a centerpiece like this to attract more visitors. An inspired plan. And all your doing.” He raises his cup.
I stand up and down the rest of my drink. “I’m going to get back to it. See you later.”
Max and I weave back through the crowds. My steps slow as I get closer to the stand. I lurk by the side of a homewares stand selling creepy wooden elves. Well, I try to lurk. Little kids keep on spotting me and coming over to get candy. I hand it over distractedly while glancing over at the Candy Cabin.
Melody’s cheeks are flushed with the cold, her eyes sparkling as she dances around toLast Christmas. Her hips are made for holding onto and her ass is incredible in those tight jeans. Memories of all the times she’s appeared in my fantasies over the years race through my head. But, despite the smile on her face, she doesn’t seem exactly like the carefree girl I remember. Something has changed and I want to ask her why.
She looks over and I straighten up, trying to look like I wasn’t covertly spying on her.
“I need to get more candy.” I walk behind the stand and squeeze behind her to reach the cardboard box where Christa stores the samples. I underestimate how cramped it is back here and my body grazes hers. I stiffen, trying not to touch her and she laughs.
“I don’t reckon both of us fit behind here, especially with all that padding.” She shakes her head, wedged between my stomach and the stand, then wriggles free. I can’t let her know how much she affects me.
“Maybe not. How come you’re back in Snowflake, anyway?”
Her smile fades. “I lost my job. Not sure if Rhys mentioned I was working for a design start-up. It went bust and I couldn’t find another job in time to pay my rent. So, I’m back. Fingers crossed, I can get some freelance work and get out of here, but until then…” she gestures around at the candy piled on the stand.
“I thought you loved the holidays.” I pull my beard off and look down at her. We’re standing facing each other, still close but not touching.
“I do! And Snowflake does it in style. But how many design companies are here? It’s not somewhere I can work. Mom is delighted, of course. And it’s lovely to see Sienna and all my friends again. Even you.” She winks.
“I’m not big on Christmas.”
