“I think I can make that work.” He gives me a gentle kiss on the cheek. I love the way he has to go up on his toes to reach me. “Hey, things with Russ are really okay?”
“They’re great. Promise. But I do think he’ll be down in a few minutes to talk to you.”
“Good. I can’t wait to hear this.” There’s a big grin on Nix’s face. He’ll finally get his friend back and tell him everything he’s been holding in the last several weeks.
It takes me twenty minutes to figure out what I want to make for dinner and then a few more to make my way to Wynter’s Wonderland Market to get the ingredients. I tried to pick something simple since this isn’t a big grocery store. They’ve got a good selection, but sticking to the staples seemed safer.
I’m standing in the middle of the frozen foods section, contemplating desserts, when I hear my name.
“Chase? Is that you?” A tall woman in high heels approaches me. She looks familiar, but I can’t place her. “Geraldine Culver. Nix introduced us at Pride.”
It comes flooding back to me. She looks different without the glitter on her face. “Of course, it’s nice to see you again.”
“I’m so glad I ran into you. I was going to stop by Tannenbaum Tales later today to ask Nix for your number, but this is even better.”
I push my cart off to the side and lean against it. “Me?”
“Yes, I was hoping maybe you decided to stick around. I just heard from our track and field coach that they’ve taken a job in Burlington. It’s a big step up for them, but it leaves us in a bit of a pinch. Especially since they also handled the cross-country team and the season starts in six weeks.”
“That’s too bad.” Running in middle and high school was my main outlet. Without it, I probably would’ve ended up in all sorts of trouble. Plus, it’s the reason I got a scholarship. My grades were always average at best, but I could run. “How can I help?”
“Well, if you’re still looking for a job, I thought maybe you’d be interested in the position. It doesn’t pay a lot, but we do have a budget for it. It’s part-time, nine months of the year.”
“Are you offering me a job?” My mouth is practically hanging open. Here I am, standing in a market, wearing shorts that clearly show off my tattoo, and someone is willing to let me be in charge of things? That can’t possibly be right.
“Technically, I’m offering you an interview. We have to do things by the book, but you’re a shoo-in. Everyone already loves you, and you’ve got more experience than anyone else we’ve talked to.”
“But I’ve never worked with kids before.”
She shrugs, as if that isn’t a massive red flag on my resume. “We’ll pair you up with the physical education teacher to start. They’ll show you the ropes and get you used to them.” Someonecalls her name from the front of the store. “Look, think about it for a day or two, then send me a resume. Nix knows where to send it. Just don’t take too long. You’re our first choice, but we’ll have to make our decision in the next week.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
She walks off, her heels clicking against the tile as she goes. For a long while, I stand there, completely in shock. It’s a Christmas miracle. Even though it’s months away, this place refuses to believe differently. Maybe that’s not such a bad thing. First, it brought me Nix. Then a coaching business. Now, the possibility of turning my passion into more. An opportunity to give back to the community that gave me so much.
“You okay, doll?” An older woman pinches my cheek, pulling me from my thoughts.
“What?”
“I asked if you’re okay. You’ve been standing here for a long time. If you can’t find what you need, maybe I can help.”
“No.” I clear my throat a couple of times. “Thank you. I think I’ve got everything.”
NIX
“It smells incredible in here.” I don’t remember the last time my kitchen smelled like anything other than takeout and microwave burritos. Between work and, well, more work, I rarely have time to cook. Or rather, it’s not a priority. Why would it be when Reindeer Roadhouse is right there?
“I hope you like it.”
I round the corner to the kitchen to find Chase standing next to a table full of food. It’s not the chicken or mashed potatoes that catches my attention, though. “Are you wearing pants?”
“Oh, yeah. I thought that maybe I’d dress up a little.”
Chase’s version of dressing up is apparently dark-wash jeans, but he looks incredible in them. I do miss seeing his incredible thigh muscles. Maybe I’ll be able to adore them a little bit later instead.
“Is there a special occasion I should know about?”
Chase pulls my chair out from the table for me to sit, a move that I don’t think I’ve ever seen outside a fancy restaurant. “Did you talk to Russ?”
