Page 88 of The Naughty List Agreement

“It is. It will be,” he said, unwilling to lie to her. He’d checked her name again on the Naughty List and it was even lighter, almost completely faded. And if he achieved nothing else this holiday season, he’d be glad of that. “But I can’t be here and also keep everything on track.”

He still had a chance to save the Gold Lumen in the Yearweave. He was sure the work that Cora and he had done in Pine Falls was spreading. He’d seen reports of nearby towns doing events similar to those inspired by the Winter Wonderland. Word of the intention paperchain had been spread via a viral online video. Now paperchains were showing up in towns all over the globe, simple ones draped on windows in homes and businesses.

He and Cora had found the woman she’d wanted to help and had a tree, groceries, and presents delivered to her home. Nick planned to ensure a special delivery to her kids on Christmas Eve as well.

“I thought Winter Wonderland mattered to you.”

There was hurt in her voice. Her tone had darkened and her eyes had lost that twinkle they almost always had. The smile on her face was her fake one. The one she forced when she was biting her tongue.

“It does, but you can see that it’s running smoothly,” he said.

Her mouth tightened, her chin lowered while she looked at him. He’d never seen her like this. It was as if she were trying to … shut down her emotions. “Well, I guess I’ll see you around.”

She started for the door but he stopped her, grabbing her arm. He’d made a mess of this. Truth was, all along Cora had been expecting him to let her down. He was pretty sure he just had.

“I can’t be here and keep the business running, Cora. This wasn’t an easy choice for me to make. It’s a business decision. Surely you understand that.”

She straightened her spine and gave him a tight-lipped smile. “I do. You have to do what’s best for your business. I get it. I’ll have more time to be in the office now. I think this is really going to work out for both of us. Thanks for all you’ve done so far, Nick.”

She tugged on her arm which he let go. “Will I see you again this year?”

“Yes. Of course. I’m not walking away from you. Just the booth. I won’t have tons of time but I can probably spare some tonight, after you’re done for the day,” he said.

“I don’t want to distract you. I’m not upset that you have to work. I’m a workaholic myself so I completely understand.” Her hands fluttered around and she jammed them into her pockets. Her emotions flared around her—anger, hurt, fear—and then she pulled it all back inside. Went calm and cool in front of him. “Text me. See ya.”

This was exactly what he hadn’t wanted to happen. Her cool sarcasm revealed how deeply she was hurt, but while he was still trying to gather his wits, she was gone.

Damn. Damn, damn, damn.

He stood there hoping an easy solution would present itself, but none did.

He’d be back before the 24th. He went to tell her that but she’d already started working her shift in his shop. She had her apron on and was talking to a child who was looking at the WonderHaus. Cora had crouched down to the little girl’s level, a crayon in her hand as she showed the child how to sketch the design she wanted.

“Now we scan it… That’s just me taking a photo with this tablet… And there you go. Your house.”

Nick let her finish with the child before he went over and pulled her away from the table.

“It’s only for two days. I’ll be back before you know it.”

She blinked a few times then swallowed. “Yeah. Sure. Great.”

“Cora.”

“I’m being silly. I get that.”

Except she wasn’t silly. Without a thought to who might see them, he pulled her into his arms and hugged her close. “I’m not leaving you. I wouldn’t do that.”

He felt his watch vibrate. A quick glance told him he was late to his meeting with the other Legendaries, the ones he was hoping to convince to give him an extension for more time to woo Cora.

“I have to go,” he said, and kissed her hard and deep, trying to convey how much he cared for her and needed her in his life.

Then he walked away without looking back because if he did, he’d stay here. He’d forget that the next few days would have a huge impact on Christmas. He’d promised that he wouldn’t be the last Nicholas Bari to be Santa Claus but these were the hardest steps he’d ever had to take. Away from her while she was hurting.

CHAPTER 23

The spirit of Christmas seemed to flow all around her, like a living, breathing thing, which sounded fantastical to her own ears. There was something different about the festival this year, though she couldn’t point to one thing and say that was the reason.

There were now Christmas trees decorated simply in colored lights with the paperchains on them. Cora took her time going past them, reading the intentions and thinking about good deeds.