Page 22 of The Naughty List Agreement

“Sort of a mix between you two. When my sister and I were little, we used to sit up all night on Christmas Eve waiting for our dad to get home.”

“He had to work?”

“Always, but he loved his job and he brought so much joy, so we understood.”

Cora didn’t know if she believed that or not. “Really? You weren’t resentful at all?”

“Mom made it special for us. She’d read us stories and let us eat as many cookies as we wanted,” he said.

Again, she felt deep, grinding envy. Cora’s parents had never acted the way that either Hannah and her husband had, or Nick’s mom had. Hers had hated each other from Cora’s earliest memories and made sure everyone around them knew it.

“Sounds lovely,” Hannah said. “Usually we just watch our favorite Christmas movie and then put out cookies for Santa. Then I hustle the kids to bed⁠—”

Tears bloomed in Hannah’s eyes. Cora guessed she was remembering a particular thing she and her husband used to do. Cora put her hand over Hannah’s. She might find Hannah a little cringe but her emotions were real, and they affected Cora more than she wanted them to. “We’re introducing carols around the tree on Christmas Eve this year,” she said. “It will be a free event. You should come. Start a new tradition.”

If anyone knew the best way to dodge sadness at the holidays, it was Cora. The busyness she generated left no time to dwell on the past or on what could have been.

“Thanks, Cora. I think we might.”

Nick watched her like she’d grown a second head. She gave him a look. “You’re welcome as well.”

“I have plans,” he said.

“On Christmas Eve?”

“Yes. It’s my busiest night.”

“You work Christmas Eve? That’s a bit extreme,” she said.

“Not really,” he said. “It’s tradition. Deliveries run smoother if I oversee them.”

“Oversee deliveries?” Cora’s eyes met Hannah’s and they both smiled. “What are you, Santa?” Cora couldn’t help laughing at her own joke.

“I’ve been called worse,” Nick said with a cheeky grin. “But I’ll try to stop by your Christmas Eve event and listen in. Singing carols always raises the spirits.”

Cora agreed. It was why she had carols piped into her office—the staff often sang along to them and she’d noted that when they did they were more efficient. They also responded well to an office Secret Santa. She never participated herself but always made sure her staff had what they needed. She was much better at giving than receiving, because giving was more certain and you were in control of it. Hoping to receive and being disappointed was too devastating, even after all these years.

Something was different about Cora tonight. Nick couldn’t put his finger on it, but when she’d reached over to touch Hannah’s hand, a wave of empathy had swelled from her. She’d argued for him to participate in this year’s festival for the children and invited him to the carol singing around the tree.

He’d thought she was superficially promoting all things Christmas for her own gain, but he was starting to see signs that underneath her brash exterior she felt deeply and cared a great deal. It was hard to marry the notion of a woman on the Naughty List with this version of Cora.

The key to getting her back on the Nice List had to be discovering the traditions that resonated with her and the people that mattered in her life. It was interesting to him that an expression of grief had been what had prompted her to reach for Hannah, despite the obvious frostiness between them. But she was the one who’d approached them…

Why?

Hannah’s phone pinged and she fumbled for it. Reading the message on the screen, her face tightened. “Sorry to do this, but I have to go. Max has some sleep issues and needs me.”

“I totally understand,” Nick said. “Let me get the check and I’ll see you home.”

“Nonsense. Stay and finish your drink. I’ll catch a taxi home.”

Cora sat quietly sipping her champagne, watching the interplay between them.

“I’ll be right back.” Getting up, he escorted Hannah out to wait for her cab. The evening was cold and clear with just a hint of snow in the air. “Thanks for a nice evening.”

“You too. I hope you find what you’re looking for, Nick. I bet you will,” she said, then went up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.

“Call me the next time it’s couples date night in your mom group,” he reminded her as her car pulled up and she left.