Page 74 of The Naughty List Agreement

But it clearly did matter. A lot. “That was cruel.”

She shrugged. “There was lots of stuff like that. I was only there because my mom made him take me every other holiday. He didn’t want me there, but Mom didn’t really want me either. I got over it. I stopped going when I was sixteen.”

She drifted over to Nick’s snack nook. “What’s this?”

The half-pantry, half-café took up a corner of the room. The polished wood counter held a small popcorn machine and a series of glass jars filled with chocolates, caramels, and mixed nuts. There were stacked ceramic bowls that Ana had made for him and decorated with everyone’s names.

Cora picked up the top bowl which had his name on it. Ana had rolled the clay to shape his name so it was raised. “This is nice. Did you make it?”

“My sister did,” he said, coming over to take the bowl from her.

“That’s nice. Did she make them all?”

“Yup. She was really into ceramics. I still have her kiln out in the garden. Maybe I’ll show it to you in the spring.”

“The spring? You think we’ll be … hanging out then?” Cora asked.

“I hope so.”

A flush spread over her face. “Me too. And isn’t it time you told me what movie we’re watching?”

He hadn’t decided until this moment, but as the child of a non-believer who struggled to see the true meaning of Christmas, it had to be… “Miracle on 34th Street. The original with Natalie Wood.”

“That one is so corny. I see what you’re doing. I’m not an eight-year-old child. I’m not going to have an epiphany at the end of the movie,” she said.

“There’s no hidden agenda here. It’s a fun movie and I thought you’d enjoy it. Also, I won the bet so it’s my choice.”

“Fair enough. Are you making popcorn?”

“I can. Want some?”

“I do. Does your wonder snack bar have a stove top? I can melt some caramel to toss the popcorn in,” she suggested.

They worked side by side, making their snacks for the movie. Her shoulder brushed his as she talked about her favorite toppings on popcorn. Their fingers tangled as they both reached for bowls. That slow hum that he always experienced while she was with him was back, but this time, knowing he was taking her to his bed, it felt different. Significant, somehow.

CHAPTER 19

Cora was sure she’d seen the movie before but it had blended in with all the ones she’d watched to prepare for her interview to take over running the Winter Wonderland. She’d really homed in on Netflix and Hallmark movies because they were modern.

But, nestled against Nick’s side, watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade play out in the movie, she was engrossed. “She should have vetted that Santa. I make all of ours fill in an extensive questionnaire and go to this Santa training workshop. I might not believe in him but he’s the cornerstone of every holiday event.”

“Glad to hear you say that. I was afraid you were going to phase him out,” Nick teased.

“Oh, I want to, but even I know there’s no positive spin I can put on it,” she said.

“Your childhood experiences without Santa are the reason for that, I’m sure, but for a lot of kids and parents, Santa is their way of making a season special.”

“I suppose I’m slowly coming to see your side of it. Also, as I said, no one would go for me axing the big red one.”

Nick had his arm draped over her shoulder and they were sharing a big bowl of popcorn so their fingers brushed a lot. She wanted him more than she wanted to watch his movie.

Her emotions were tied in knots but her body thrummed with certainty. She picked up a few popped kernels and turned to him. “Open up.”

He opened his mouth and she dropped the popcorn in. He licked her finger as she took her hand back. They fed each other popcorn; Cora wasn’t paying any attention to the movie at all.

Movies like this made her … feel. Too much. She didn’t like it. Nick might have won the bet, and the movie was playing, but that didn’t mean she had to watch it. Had to watch a little realistic girl search for answers about magic and the meaning of Christmas.

Cora had never allowed herself to do that. She’d stuck to realism because it was safer. Safety was a bigger deal for her than Nick. He’d grown up in this big house that was really more of a castle now that she was in it. Surrounded by his large family and love.