Charlotte nudged him. “You saw Lizzie, and you saw me. That’s a gift too.”
His lips twitched with a smile. They stared into one another’s eyes, and Charlotte drew closer, wanting to feel his lips on hers.
“I figured out why you didn’t get the wish,” Nick interrupted their moment.
Reluctantly, Charlotte pulled back. “Oh?” she asked in a high-pitched squeak.
“It’s because of his wish for the perfect Christmas, which included Lizzie getting what she’d asked Santa for.” He hooked his thumb at his chest. “So his added strength to hers that your wish didn’t have. However, your continued wishing for the same house–not to mention your overwhelming belief in Santa and the fact that you carry a bit of Christmas Magic inside of you–made it so your wish didn’t roll over and fade away.” He lifted both fists and crashed them together. “The closer we get to Christmas, the worse this will get because they’ll both try harder to take over.”
“Worse than this?” asked Micah as he motioned to the destroyed stage.
“Way worse,” Nick confirmed.
Charlotte rubbed her bottom lip with her teeth as she thought. She could change her wish. She could. It would be so easy. Just a few simple words and all this craziness goes away. But… her house. The one she’d dreamed of her whole life… how could she give up that dream now?
“Wait!” Micah held up a hand. “Is this why you asked all those questions about what Lizzie wanted for Christmas?”
Charlotte nodded. “I was hoping to get her to change her wish.”
Micah scoffed. “If that’s all it takes, then change yours.”
Charlotte balked. Even though she’d considered doing that very thing only seconds before, her whole being revolted at hearing it out loud. “No. I’ve wished for that house every year since I was Lizzie’s age.”
“So?” he countered brilliantly.
Charlotte drew in a breath. “It’s not just a house to me. I plan to roll it into the business, document the process of returning it to its former glory, then use it for decorating videos and –one day–create my own line of ornaments. All while raising a family inside those walls.” She ran out of air and had to stop to suck in.
“Pick another house,” Micah said, as if it were as simple as buying a different brand of peanut butter.
“Why should I give up my dream?”
“For a child?” Micah countered. “You wouldn’t give it up for a little girl?”
Charlotte grit her teeth. “Iwasthat little girl. Don’t you understand?”
Micah hardened. “I guess I don’t. I would do anything for Lizzie, and I thought I’d found a woman who felt the same.”
Charlotte dropped his arm as if it were a cube of ice. It sure felt like he’d gone cold. “You can’t mean to rip away my lifetime of hopes and plans.”
“You’re an adult, Charlotte. Grow up.”
She leaned back as if he’d slapped her across the cheek. “What does that mean?”
“You live in some strange existence where it’s Christmas every day. You want people to make a living carving figures out of play dough. That’s not real life.” He folded his arms.
Charlotte narrowed her eyes. “I run a business that shouldn’t be profitable nine months out of the year, and I do a darn good job!” She pointed to the ground to emphasize her point. “And don’t think I haven’t sacrificed for that business. Why do you think I live in a basement apartment with leaky pipes?!”
Nick sucked air through his teeth. “We should all take a step back and maybe try some of Robyn’s hot chocolate.”
Micah spun on him. “You know what? I take back my wish for a perfect Christmas.”
Nick shuddered and clutched at his chest.
Micah walked backward–away from the two of them and towards the exit. “Thanks so much for the experience, but I’m done with Christmas Magic.”
Charlotte folded her arms. “You wouldn’t know a real Christmas if it bit you on your–.”
“Fruitcake!” Nick cursed as he massaged his chest.
