Theo sits on a plastic chair and spreads the books out on the table. “Will you read one to me, Joy?”
“Of course.” I pick upThe Grump Who Ruined Christmas.“This one’s a good one.” I smile as I read the book aloud. Unbeknownst to Nick, the staff often call him the grump, or scrooge, or some other unsavoury name. I glance up from the pages and wave at Nick in the queue. Nobody knows him like I do. They see the grumpy boss, but I see the kindness in his heart, the way he cares for his son. I know what it’s like to lose a loved one and how it can affect your mental health. I watched my dad grieve for years and throw himself into work.
Nick waves back and smiles as if all the stresses of life have melted away for a moment. I want to be a light in his gloomy office and bring him some holiday cheer. Maybe if I can make him happy, he wouldn’t be called the grump anymore.
He returns to the table with a tray of drinks and snacks. “I got you marshmallows and sprinkles.”
I think he’s talking to Theo until he sets a large mug in front of me, spilling over with cream, marshmallows, chocolate sauce, and rainbow sprinkles. Then he slides a piece of chocolate cake next to it.
“I wasn’t sure what cake you wanted, but thought I can’t go wrong with chocolate.” His warm smile reaches his eyes. He’s so much more relaxed now than he is at work.
“Thank you. Chocolate cake’s my favourite.”
“It’s the least I can do after you collected Teddy from school.”
“Not to mention wearing that ridiculous costume.” I raise my eyebrow.
He chuckles. “Oh, get over yourelf.”
I roll my eyes. “Are you ever going to stop with the elf jokes?”
“Molly’s got the flu. She’s not gonna be in all week.” He sips on his coffee. “So probably not.”
“Great.” I huff and blow a hole in my creamy marshmallow mountain. “So what you’re saying is you want me to step into her shoes again this week?”
He grimaces, trying to give me a smile. “You have to apply yourelf, Joy.”
I glare at him. Though inside, I do actually find the elf jokes quite funny and they seem to brighten his mood, so I’ll let it slide.
Theo polishes off his chocolate cake, giving me a smile with chocolate between his sprouting big teeth. “Dad, can I go into the play area?” He points behind him to a cosy nook in the cafe with children’s activities and books.
“Sure. Stay where I can see you.” Nick sits his coffee down, turning back to me. “I watched you with the customers, Joy. You’re my star employee. So much better at interacting with people. We had some great reviews on Friday and it was all down to you.”
I huff again. “Yeah, no thanks to you, making that little girl cry.”
He flinches back. “What girl?”
“The one climbing on the rocking horse. The mother wasn’t happy. You could’ve approached them a little gentler. Been polite about it.” I raise an eyebrow. “Hmm?”
“I didn’t realise I was so abrupt. I didn’t mean to be. It’s just Theo’s papa made those toys. Leoni’s father. That’s what he did. He crafted toys.”
“I didn’t know. If it means so much to you, why not have them at home?”
“We have lots of toys at home that he made. I know it’s silly. I want to show them off. They were made to be played with. I just don’t like to see them disrespected. Kids these days don’t care about the old wooden toys much.” He lifts his black coffee to his lips and takes another sip.
“Is that how you came to own a toy shop?” I always wondered why he was running a toy shop when he shows no interest in toys or kids. He’s a great dad, but like he said, he doesn’t care for other people’s kids.
“Yeah. I’m a joiner. Her dad taught a wood workshop at college once a week. That’s how we met. My wife and I.” He tugs on his jumper at the neck as if needing air.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to talk about it.”
He exhales. “It’s all right. It’s easier to talk about now. And I try to talk about them as much as I can for Teddy. When Leoni’s dad became sick, we both took on the shop. Everything was great, and we had a lot of plans. But the building needed a lot of work. So we took a loan out to make the repairs and bring it into this century. Then Theo came along and—” He runs a hand over his face, settling on the scruff on his jaw. “Then we found out Leoni had an undiagnosed heart condition.”
I place my hand over his resting on the table. “I’m sorry, Nick.”
He shrugs a shoulder and smiles, creating lines around his glassy green eyes. “It’s not your fault.” His other palm clasps over the top of mine, enclosing my hand between both his large mitts.
Tingles shoot up my limb, travelling straight to my centre. I remind myself he’s my boss, but it only makes my walls clench with need. I’ve read too many dirty boss books. It’s my guilty pleasure. I can’t get enough of the fantasy.
