“You know he’s gay?”
Sara sits up straight. “Is he?”
“He’s dating Archie from the early learning section. Story of my life. Any guy I meet is married, gay, or my boss.”
“Maybe you should ask Santa for something special in your stocking this year.”
“Oh, I got something special last year. A little gift to me, from me. Trust me when I say I don’t need a man.”
“No matter how powerful your super turbo electrical boyfriend is, it doesn’t give you forehead kisses and keep you warm on cold nights.”
The emptiness in my heart swells. I imagine Nick’s large frame and strong arms holding me tight. He could keep me warm on wintry nights and I’ve no doubt his forehead kisses could warm my belly better than any hot chocolate. I shouldn’t have these thoughts about my boss, but from the moment I started this job just over a year ago, I haven’t been able to get Nick out of my head.
2
NICK
“How’d it go?” Joy’s bright, bubbly face lights up like a Christmas tree when I trudge into the office, pulling off my tie.
I drop into my leather chair. Her sparkly blue eyes cloud as she reads my mood.
My star employee is the only thing that shines in this store and my bad moods have rubbed off on her lately.
“Was it that bad?” she asks, tucking her flyaway blonde hair behind her ears.
I throw my tie onto the desk. “I can’t afford the outlay. They wanted me to buy the products rather than earn commission on sales. I can’t compete with the bigger stores. Total waste of fucking time.” My hand slides over my weary face. For my son, I’ve done my best with this business. It’s his legacy from his mother and grandparents. But I just don’t know how much longer I can keep this going. The only thing he’ll be inheriting at this rate is a pile of debt.
Joy twists in the chair to face me. “People come here because they love the oldy-worldy feel of a traditional shop. You don’t need to compete with the big stores. You need to market yourself differently.”
I lean over my desk, my fists clasped together. “If you have any ideas, I’m all ears.”
She rests her elbows on her desk opposite mine. “Last year, the garden centre set up a Christmas village and Santa’s grotto and quadrupled their revenue. We could totally utilise the old wooden toy section of the shop for a Santa’s workshop. It’s not like it gets much footfall. You have the tree, electric stove and hearth near the entrance. Just move them and add a chair and you have yourself a grotto.”
She’s on to something. “Where can we find a Santa?”
One dark-blonde eyebrow rises as she looks me up and down. “I think you’d do the job perfectly.”
A laugh bellows from my lips. “No way. Would you dress up like an elf?”
“Yes, but you won’t get an elf costume to fit me.” Her blue eyes glare at me.
“Don’t be so elf-assured. You’re definitely short enough.” Damn, I’d like to see her in a costume.
She rolls her eyes. “I’m not that short. It’s just that you’re so big.”
My lips lift in the corner. She hasn’t seen anything yet.
“I mean long.” Her cheeks flush. “Baubles. I mean tall.”
A chuckle rumbles out of me. I love getting her all flustered. “Find me some elves and a Santa and order the costumes. I’ll let you be in charge of fixing up a grotto.”
“Molly will do it. She’s outgoing and Steve is always dressing up for the theatre.”
“Which one is Steve?”
“He works behind the sweet counter.” She rolls her eyes. “You really should get to know your staff better. He’s been here for nine months.”
“Between running this place and my kid, I barely have time to eat lunch.” I stiffen my spine. “I don’t need to know who Steve is or what he dresses up as on weekends. As long as he does his job, that’s all I care about.”
