Page 10 of Wrapped Up with the Three Scrooges

“I can explain.” I grabbed for the musical menace to silence it. “See, studies show that workplace morale improves with...” I trailed off as Max walked past me toward the break room.

Oh God, he was probably going to flip. I’d be fired before my shift even started. When I peeked around the doorframe, Max was just standing there, taking in the transformed space.

“The shipping guys were my accomplices,” I blurted out, panicking. I’d hoped to plead the fifth, but now I had a witness. “Well, technically, they didn’t stop me. But in the spirit of Christmas, maybe we could keep this between us? I promise the decorations are all damage-free and removable.” I held my breath as Max continued to survey the room, expecting him to list company policies I’d violated.

Instead, he turned to face me. His lips curved into a smile that transformed his face. “This is actually really nice.”

“Really?” I squeaked, relief flooding through me. “I mean, yes, of course it is. Nothing says, happy holidays like a dancing Santa that may or may not violate noise ordinances.”

Max walked over and took the man in question from my hands, his fingers brushing mine. A spark of electricity shot through me at the contact, and when our eyes met, I could tell he felt it too. There was something about him that made me want to step closer rather than back away.

“I think he’d look perfect next to the tree.” He walked over to the counter to place Santa by my tree, then pressed the button. Mariah’s voice filled the room.

Before I could stop myself, I started dancing to the music. Max eyed me with amusement and uncertainty. I knew I probably looked crazy.

“Come on, you know you want to dance with Santa.” I did a shimmy, and he laughed.

To my absolute shock, Max’s hips started moving in time with the music. He was actually pretty good, which made him even more attractive. I spun in a circle, letting out a delighted laugh as Max attempted to copy Santa’s arm movements.

“You’re a pretty good dancer.” I was impressed by his rhythm.

“There’s a lot you don’t know about me.” He hit me with a wink that made my insides melt as he shuffled like John Travolta over to me.

Taking my hand in his much larger one, he spun me around, the warmth of his touch sending tingles up my arm. The room blurred into a whirl of twinkling Christmas lights as I twirled.

We were so caught up in our impromptu dance party that we didn’t see the two men enter the room. It wasn’t until I spun around again that I saw Levi and Ronan standing just inside the doorway, wearing matching expressions of disbelief.

Ronan’s mouth opened and closed several times, reminding me of a bewildered goldfish, but no words came out. His usually composed face was a picture of pure shock, like someone had told him Christmas was canceled, and puppies weren’t real.

Levi had that dangerous gleam in his eye. “Well, well, well. What do we have here?”

“I...” I started to explain.

“I did it,” Max said quickly, stepping forward to shield me with his broad shoulders. “All of it. Emery came in early for coffee and got caught up in my...” He paused, a slight flush creeping up his neck as he searched for the right word. “Enthusiasm. She was being nice by dancing with me.” His voice held a protective note.

I stared at him, my mouth hanging slightly open in disbelief. Was he covering up for me? The protective stance, the way he’d positioned himself between me and the others. It made my pulse skip a beat.

“You?” Ronan finally found his voice. “You did this?”

“Problem?” Max challenged, crossing his arms. The movement made his biceps bulge under his sleeves, and I had to force myself to look away.

“It’s...” Ronan struggled for words again.

“Fantastic!” Levi finished for him, walking over to inspect the tree. “Though I have to say, Max, I never pegged you for the arts and crafts type.”

“People can surprise you.” Max shot me a quick look that made my cheeks heat.

“But...” Ronan started.

“It’s Christmas, Ronan. Would it kill us to have a little fun?” Max’s voice held a hint of exasperation mixed with something that sounded almost like longing, as if he’d been waiting for an excuse to let loose. The way his eyes briefly met mine made me wonder if I was that excuse.

I watched in amazement as Ronan’s resolve visibly weakened under Max’s steady gaze. Finally, he sighed. “Fine. But that thing…” He pointed at Santa. “Stays in here. It’s creepy.”

As Ronan and Levi left, I sat down heavily in a chair. “Thank you. I knew it was a risk doing this.”

“Consider it my Christmas gift to you. Though maybe next time, run your decorating plans by me first.” He grabbed a piece of candy from the center of a table, unwrapping it with deliberate slowness. The red and white striped wrapper crinkled between his fingers, drawing my attention to his hands. Hands that looked perfect for unwrapping other things.

“Next time?” I grinned, feeling a surge of boldness that I blamed entirely on the lingering adrenaline from being caught. “So, there will be a next time?”

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