Chapter Twenty-Four
Itwastimetotake Cinderella to the ball.
While Felicity had been getting ready for the party, he’d been reading over her notes on his manuscript.She hadn’t held back with her thoughts.Some of it was tough to read but he could see where she was coming from.
He wasn’t so sure about some of her suggestions, but she was the professional editor so he’d attempt them.He couldn’t wait to get started.
But first, he had to get Felicity to the party.He stood at her door, waiting for her to answer.When she’d called out “coming,” the hint of a smile tugged at the corners of his lips.The real question: was she ready to go?
He didn’t have long to wonder about it, because the door suddenly swung open, and his mouth gaped.She wore her golden-brown hair down.It was in long, elegant curls that draped over her shoulders.She wore just enough makeup to accentuate her natural beauty but not much more.
Her festive dress was red with cap sleeves.It had a fitted bodice and a flared skirt that ended a couple of inches before her knees.Wow!He suddenly regretted not agreeing to go to the party.She was going to have every eligible bachelor in Kringle Falls hitting on her.Jealousy churned in the pit of his stomach.He only had himself to blame.
“Do I look all right?”Her gaze searched his.
It was only then he realized he hadn’t spoken.“Yes.You look beautiful.”
Color filled her cheeks.“We should get going.I don’t want to be late.”
“Lucky for you it isn’t a long drive.”He was going to say the Kringle house was close enough for them to walk, but then he noticed her delicate red heels.Those were definitely not walking shoes.
After she put on her coat and was ready to go, he presented his arm to her.She smiled and slipped her hand into the crook of his arm.This evening, he did something unusual; he opted for the elevator.
The ride was much too fast, but she never relinquished his arm.She turned a number of heads as they walked through the lobby and out the door.He couldn’t blame people for noticing her.Felicity was the most beautiful woman in the world—even when she was dressed to go tubing in the snow.
Before he was ready, he was dropping her off at the door of the Kringles’ home.“Call me when you’re ready to go home.”
He wasn’t sure if she’d heard him as she closed the door and rushed up the steps toward Connie, who was waiting for her.With a resigned sigh, he pressed on the accelerator.That’s when he heard a chime.It wasn’t his phone, so what was it?
It chimed again.It took him a moment to find a place to pull over.He searched the passenger seat and then ended up fishing a phone out from between the seat and the console.It must be Felicity’s.
It chimed again in his hand.When he glanced down, he saw a message:You can get your job back!
His heart sank.This was it.This was what she’d been waiting for.He wanted to be happy for her.This was what she really wanted.
But all he could think about was that she would be leaving after Christmas.In just a matter of days, she’d be hundreds of miles away.And he’d have no idea when he’d see her again.
Where was it?
A group of festively dressed guests stood around the grand piano in the living room, singing “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” as Kris Kringle, dressed as Santa, played the piano.There were colorful drinks and trays of finger foods.
There was laughter and good cheer all around, but Felicity was frowning.She’d lost her phone—her lifeline.This can’t be happening.
Felicity was focused on checking her coat pockets.Again.It didn’t seem to matter how many times she looked, her phone wasn’t there.
She’d retraced her steps out into the frigid evening, but she hadn’t noticed the phone anywhere.Perhaps she’d forgotten to pick it up when she’d left the apartment.Yes.That must be it.Still, her whole life was on the phone.What was she going to do if she couldn’t find it?
Maybe she should walk back to the apartment.Because there was no way she was going to relax and enjoy the party when she was worried about her phone.If anyone wanted to contact her about a potential job, that was the phone number she’d handed out.
Just then someone literally bumped into her.
“Oops.Sorry,” said a familiar female voice.
Felicity turned her head to find Holly standing there.“Hi.”
Holly smiled.“It’s good to see you again.”
“I forgot what life is like in a small town—always bumping into everyone.”
