I can’t deny it. I would have. “Listen, I’m sorry about being such a jerk that first day.” Carter watches us, eyes wide in shock. “I lost my way somehow.”
He nods. “That’s three good deeds.” The parking lot Santa makes a final mark in his notebook with a flourish. “Making things right with the Millers. Volunteering at the hardware store.And a reference that prioritized someone’s happiness over your own. The curse is lifted, Holden Carmichael.”
Relief should flood through me, but all I feel is emptiness.
Santa’s unsettling blue eyes seem to see right through me. “You’re an architect, Holden. You solve impossible problems for a living. Figuring out how to fix what you broke shouldn’t be that hard.”
He turns and walks into the crowd of holiday shoppers, his red suit disappearing among the chaos of Main Street.
“What the hell was that?” Carter asks, staring at me.
“I don’t even know, man. But I do know that I’m going to do exactly what he said.”
Carter claps my back. “Go get your girl.”
Chapter 11
Atlanta
I click off the Zoom call, the snow falling heavily outside. It’s three days until Christmas, but I’m not feeling all that festive.
Maynard swirls around my feet, his sable fir comforting me as I stare at the dark computer screen. The offer from Stellar Design Group is a shock to my system. I asked for a day to consider the terms, but really, I don’t want to move. I’d miss it here. Hope Peak has become my home.
And I’m in love with Holden.
Even though he says the wrong things, does the wrong things, and is completely self-absorbed.
But Ms. Chen said he gave me a glowing review. As lead designer. She said he was emphatic about not wanting to lose me, but that his loss would be their gain.
I’m not sure what to do with that.
My cell buzzes, and when I look at the screen, it’s Holden.
Holden: Can you talk?
I ignore the text, like the twenty before it, and pick up my cat, needing his comfort. His subtle purring starts as I nuzzle into his fur, fighting back tears.
Holden: I know you’re home.
I roll my eyes, swiping the tears with my sleeve. Maynard jumps off my lap and runs to the ledge by the front door, his favorite swiping spot.
I swing the door wide, not surprised to see my former boss standing in front of me, snow melting in his hair, his breath visible in the December air between us.
“Hi.”
“Why are your eyes red?”
“Eyelash.”
“In both eyes?”
“What do you want, Holden?”
“Please. Just give me five minutes.”
I step back, and Maynard immediately hisses at Holden from his perch. Not intimidated in the slightest, he reaches out and picks up my cat, whose shocked golden eyes plead with me to help him. I reach out and pat his head, then head to the living room, leaving both boys to their fate.
I don’t even care that I look ridiculous. My top half is dressed for work, a sleek black blazer and white blouse, with Christmas leggings and mismatched socks on the bottom half.
