Page 34 of The Christmas Mistake

I turn back to look at Santa, but he’s already gone inside the grotto to get changed. He obviously doesn’t want to talk to me, and that makes dread take over my heart.

Annie nods enthusiastically, not noticing the tensions between us two, and ticks off something on her clipboard. “Mark will be pleased by what you guys have done today. Have a good night, Chastity.”

“You too.”

I take in a deep breath and duck inside the grotto. Nicholas is already out of his costume and has changed into his normal clothes.

This is my chance to speak to him.

“That was more fun than I expected,” I squeak, trying to make small talk. “I hope you have a good evening, Nicholas. It’s been exhausting, I’m sure I’m going to get a good night’s sleep after today.”

He keeps his back to me and doesn’t say a word.

And then he goes without a single look in my direction. No acknowledgment at all.

I stand there in my stupid little elf costume with my cheery smile still plastered over my face, feeling like an absolute jerk.

“Right,” I say solemnly to myself, my smile finally dropping. “Time to go home, you annoying elf.”

* * *

I’m marching back to my car in the parking lot when I get surprised by Nicholas. He practically jumps out at me from behind a pillar as I’m clutching my keys, making me nearly fall over in shock. I’m so damn clumsily.

“Jesus,” I yelp as the man suddenly appears in front of me like a ghost. “You’ve frightened me, Nicholas.”

“You were watching me earlier,” he says with a grimace. “You followed me on my break.”

“Yeah,” I reply, stuttering. I’m happy he’s ready to talk about what happened, but his tone is almost bordering on threatening. “Sorry about that. It was a stupid thing for me to do. I shouldn’t have done it. I shouldn’t have followed you.”

Nicholas glares at me from behind his glasses. He takes a moment to exhale and puts his hands in his pockets as if he’s nervous. I just sort of… stand here stiffly as I wait for him to respond.

And then he does. Coldly.

“Let’s get a drink, Chastity. Now.”

15

CHASTITY

Nicholas is already sitting on a stool at the bar when I enter. It’s taken me forever to find a parking spot outside, so I’m not surprised he’s here before me. At least he hasn’t started drinking yet.

I sit down next to him.

“Parking was terrible,” I say in my most cheerful way, still wary of the man’s sour mood. I don’t know what he’s thinking at all behind that emotionless chiseled face of his. Is he angry with me for following him earlier? His expression in the parking lot seems to suggest so, but then why did he invite me all the way here for a drink? It isn’t to stay as silent as he’s been doing all day, surely?

“I’m going to have a beer,” he says robotically. “You want a beer?”

“Sure. Thanks.”

Nicholas motions to the bartender to bring us two bottles. He quickly taps the rim of mine with the top of his before taking in a huge gulp of the liquor.

“How did you think today went?” I ask, watching him carefully and trying to figure out what’s going on in the mind behind those cute glasses.

Nicholas shrugs. “It went as expected.”

“The costumes are funny, aren’t they? I can’t believe they’re making us wear them. That elf one is so freaking tight. I bet everyone can see my ass crack. That’s certainly not the way I was expecting to spend my week just before Christmas.”

“Do you want to know why I hate Christmas, Chastity?” he asks me.