“Damn, that’s the most beautiful sight I ever saw.” He wipes my chin with his large thumb as he catches his breath. “You passed your training with flying colours.” He has a dopey grin with hooded eyes. “Suddenly, I’m seeing the phrase ‘Santa’s little helper’ in a whole new light.”
A giggle pours out. I rise to my feet, lean over the chair to peck his lips through the grey beard. “I can’t wait for level three.”
21
JOY
It’s been a week since Nick first kissed me in the grotto and…other things in his office. A week of stolen kisses when nobody’s looking. Nick told Theo I’m a special friend, whatever that means. I still don’t really know what we are.
Maybe he thinks I’m not cut out for filling the role of his girlfriend. I made his kid sick, after all. I just wanted Theo to like me, so when he asked for more cookies, I said yes.
“Earth to Joy.” Sara waves her wineglass in front of my face.
“Sorry.” I blink under the coloured lights of the bar.
“You’re thinking of him again, aren’t you?” She thrusts a shot glass in my hand. “Are we having a drink or what?”
“I can’t drink this. Nick told me not to get wasted.” I shove the shot glass to the side.
“He might be your boss in the shop, but out here, he can’t tell you what to drink.” She slides the glass back towards me.
I roll my eyes and knock the drink back. Telling myself it’s just the one.
“Besides. How will he know?” She takes my hand and drags me onto the dance floor.
She doesn’t know I plan on getting a taxi back to his house tonight. Neither does Nick. But I want to surprise him. I smile, thinking about it. Hoping tonight’s the night. I only came out for a few drinks after work because Nick said his brother’s roped him into shifting some gym equipment.
I dance toStep Into Christmas, my elf boots jingling along with the music. I kept my costume on, as it looks more like a party outfit than my usual black trousers, blouse, and long cardigan. Steve comes onto the dance floor, jingling along with me on a Friday night. Archie is hot on his tail, grinding against him.
After three more songs, I shimmy my way to the bar, needing another drink.
Sara sidles up next to me. “Joy, you’re buzzing.”
“I’m not. I’ve only had two drinks.” My eyebrows pull inwards as I cock a hip.
She points to my bag. “Your phone’s going off.”
“Oh.” I open my purse to Nick’s name dancing across my screen, lighting my bag up along with my heart.
“Hello,” I shout over the music, holding the video call in front of my face.
“Hey. Are you having fun?” Nick asks.
His brother pokes his head over his shoulder, coming into view on the screen, then disappears.
“Yes, it’s quite busy tonight.”
Sara thrusts another shot in front of my face and in front of Nick on screen. I take it out of her hand just as Archie puts an arm around me. “Come back on the dance floor.”
Nick’s jaw tenses on screen. “Where are you?”
“I’m in the Corner House.”
Steve sidles up to the other side of me, with Archie still hanging around my neck. “Shit.” Archie taps Steve on the arm. She’s on the phone to the boss, mate.”
Steve peers into my handset. Before I can say anything, some rando barges into me and knocks the phone from my hand. I look down at the dark wooden flooring, Nick’s face lighting up under a woman’s dress. Candy crap. I don’t want him seeing that.
Hoping she doesn’t notice, I reach for the handset just as the woman steps away and a boot sends it skidding onto the dance floor. I squeeze through the crowd. Sara lifts it above her head, waving it at me. The dazzling lights overhead shine on the shattered screen.
