PART I ~ DECEMBER2020
CHAPTER ONE
“PagingSilver Bells. Silver Bells the Elf, your presence is requested atthe Gate House.
“Isn’tthat you?”
A pairof big brown eyes stare up at me. I’ve just taken a selfie—or,rather, an ‘elfie’—with this little girl and her family. Her eyesare still wide and awestruck at meeting one of Santa’s elves. Iimagine that’s how I’d look if I met Pedro Pascal and got to take apicture withhim.
“Thatisme,” Isay, jingling the string of silver bells around my neck. “Elf dutycalls, but it was so nice meeting you.”
“DoesSanta need you now?” she asks, unwrapping the candy cane I gave herand sticking it where her two front teeth once were.
I attempt to matchher earnestness as I nod. “Probably. An elf’s work is neverdone.”
Withanother jingle of my bells, I give the family a wave before makingmy way through Bellevue Village. After a month and a half ofworking as an elf, I’ve mastered the art of ducking and weavingbetween groups, always with a smile on my face, always ready topause to hand out candy canes or pose for pictures. The Village isbusier than usual for a Monday evening, but then again,Christmasisnextweek.
A few elves arepositioned outside the Gate House, greeting people as they enter.The Gate House is more for show than anything since the Villagedoesn’t charge an entrance fee, but it makes a convenient meetingplace for people coming and going. Among the hustle and bustle, Ispot a dark-haired man standing a few feet away from the GateHouse, head bent, brows drawn in concentration, fingers flying overhis phone screen.
Meredith, theVillage’s General Manager, is waiting for me inside. If the glitterdusting her cheeks is any indication, she’s pulled elf duty herselfat some point today. “Sorry to pull you off your regular rotation,”she says. “I need someone for a special assignment and thoughtyou’d be perfect.”
Her words kindle awarm glow inside me. “That’s nice to hear.”
“I hopeyou still feel that way when I tell you what the assignment is.”Her expression douses the rising warmth in my chest. “See that guyoutside the Gate House?” She points to the man I noticed when Iarrived; he’s still typing away on his phone. “He’s herefromThe Buzz.Doyou know it?”
“Iknowofit.” It’s afairly new website started by a pair of semi-famous influencers inToronto. It began with just the two of them, and they branched outrecently into hiring freelancers to do ‘What’s Hot’ pieces in theToronto area and beyond. My best friend, Mindy, is obsessed withthe site, but I haven’t had a chance to check it out.
“Well,apparentlyThe Buzzgot wind of Bellevue Village and wanted to do a piece on usimmediately. They only gave us a few hours’ notice and said theycould have their writer do a piece on his own or, if we could sparesomeone, have an employee give him a personal tour. Shoshana agreedto do it, but she left early because she wasn’t feeling well. I’ddo it, but there’s some crisis or other up at Santa’s House I needto deal with. Then I thought ofyou: our Elf of the Month.”
I can’t help butlaugh. The honor of Elf of the Month was bestowed on me at the endof November and came with a substantial cash bonus, which I plan tospend entirely on myself for my thirty-third birthday next week.“So I just have to show him around the Village?”
“Prettymuch. Explain how everything works, show him some of thebusinesses, introduce him to a few of your fellow elves. Hopefullythey’ll talk up the Village and give some helpful soundbites.”
“Soundseasy enough. Count me in.”
Meredith grips myupper arms. “You’re a lifesaver, Sylvie. When you finish with him,you can take the rest of the night off, okay? Come on, I’llintroduce you.”
When we stepoutside the Gate House, the guy has moved closer and appears to bewaiting for us. His eyes sweep over me, taking me in from thepointy-tipped felt shoes covering my sneakers to my red and greendress to the string of silver bells around my neck.
“Sylvie, this is Cole fromTheBuzz,” Meredith says. “Cole, this isSylvie, also known around here as Silver Bells the Elf.”
His lips twitch ashe offers me a hand to shake. “Nice to meet you. Sorry to springthis on you at the last minute.”
There’san audiblezapwhenour fingers touch, causing us to jerk apart before we can shakeproperly. “That’s what felt shoes on a carpet will do, I guess,” Isay with a laugh.
Cole lookssomewhat stunned, as if the static electricity zapped more thanjust his hand. After a few beats, he asks, “Is my hair standing onend?”
I use the questionas an excuse to let my gaze wander over his face and hair. Now thathe’s not frowning at his phone, I see he’s actually quite handsome,with beautiful blue-gray eyes and a head of thick, dark hair. Heshifts, and the light catches on a few strands of silver mixed inwith the dark tresses.
“Nope,you’re good,” I tell him. Meredith catches my eye and I don’t missthe amused curve of her lips or the little eyebrow wiggle she does.I suppress a smile and return my gaze to Cole. “Shallwe?”
I could swear hereleases a quiet sigh. “Absolutely. Lead the way.” To Meredith, hegives a polite nod and says, “Thanks again for setting thisup.”
I set off past theGate House, stopping just a few feet inside the Village andmotioning for Cole to join me. “I assume you’re taking pictures foryour article? This is a good place to start.” I make a sweepingmotion around me to encompass the spectacular entrance of BellevueVillage. Colored lights are strung everywhere, the businesses areall decked out, and there are Christmas trees, life-sizenutcrackers, and giant candy canes everywhere you look.
“Isthis place for real?” Cole murmurs.
My grin widens athis quiet, awestruck tone. I turn to look at him, expectingwonder-filled eyes and a bright smile, but instead I’m metwith…distaste?
