Page 20 of Honkers Under the Holly

“Good.” He squeezed my hand. “Because you’re going to be amazing.”

“Enough with the cute,” Sun called out. “Save it for the camera. Paolo, we need her camera-ready in fifteen!”

As I let Paolo usher me toward the makeshift styling station, I glimpsed my reflection in one of the giant ornaments. I didn’t look terrified anymore. I looked... excited. Ready.

Maybe Sun was right. Maybe the best moments really do happen when you stop pretending to be something you’re not.

Though I was definitely going to need someone to explain to Magda how I’d just scored the cover of a sports magazine and why my goose was now on her modeling client list. But to be fair, he did look pretty sweet wearing tinsel like a feather boa.

“Trust me, give me five minutes with a needle and threat and this Mrs. Claus dress is going to fit you perfectly, doll.” Paolo pulled at some material here, tugged at some there, and then stepped back to admire his handiwork. “A little sexy Mrs. Claus, a little old Hollywood glamour, and a lot of you.”

He was right. The red velvet hugged my curves, strangling the girls just a little, but the way he’d used a bolt of white fur trim to make a plus-size dress out of something that barely fit a size zero fifteen minutes ago was nothing less than a miracle. Ilooked like a 1950s pin-up Mrs. Claus in the best possible way. My hair fell in soft waves, and he’d given me the kind of red lips that belonged on a Christmas card.

“Places, everyone,” Sun called out. “Tommy, stop teaching the goose running plays.”

“But he’s really getting the hang of play-action passes,” Tommy protested. He looked amazing in his Santa pants and suspenders, and about a thousand pack of abs. Though I noticed they’d let him wear his lucky Bandits socks—the ones Sir Honksalot was constantly trying to steal.

“The goose stays on his mark,” Sun directed, adjusting her camera. “Sara Jayne, I want you by the fireplace. Tommy, casual lean on the mantel. Like you just came down the chimney to find sassy and sweet Mrs. Claus waiting for you after a long day of reindeer games.”

I channeled my inner Rita Hayworth, and I took my position. From behind Sun’s lighting setup, Mac gave me a thumbs up that somehow made me feel both more nervous and more confident.

“Perfect,” Sun started shooting. “Now just talk to each other. Be natural. Forget I’m here.”

“So,” Tommy said, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Come here often?”

I laughed despite myself. “Only when my goose crashes cover shoots.”

“Speaking of...” Tommy nodded toward Sir Honksalot, who had positioned himself regally beside my skirts like some kind of waterfowl courtier. “Someone’s working that tinsel.”

“Beautiful,” Sun called out. “The chemistry is perfect. Tommy, move closer. Sara Jayne, that laugh is everything. Sir Honksalot... actually, the goose is nailing it.”

We fell into an easy rhythm, the conversation flowing naturally as Sun’s camera clicked away. Tommy told me abouthis latest touchdown celebration, which apparently involved the Macarena. We were just normal people, co-parents to a goose, and friends, albeit dressed a little weird.

“Okay, now for the shot I’ve been waiting for.” Sun lowered her camera. “Tommy, remember what we discussed?”

Tommy’s grin turned downright devious. Before I could ask what they’d discussed, he dropped to one knee in front of me.

“Sara Jayne,” he announced dramatically, holding up an enormous costume jewelry ring, “you’ve changed my life. No one else would help me teach a goose the importance of proper social media presence. No one else would risk their designer shoes to wade into a fountain after said goose. You’re one of a kind.”

I caught on to the game and pressed a hand to my heart. “Tommy, are you saying...?”

“Will you...” He paused for maximum effect. “Help me teach Sir Honksalot the Macarena?”

The entire room burst out laughing, including Sun, who was shooting rapidly to capture every moment. I smiled over at Mac, but he wasn’t looking at me. He was... scowling at Tommy? No, that must be his worried about what Sir Honksalot was going to do.

“That’s it,” she exclaimed. “That’s the cover! The realness, the joy... it’s perfect.”

Sir Honksalot chose that moment to snatch the ring and take off across the set.

“Should we stop him?” Tommy asked.

“Yes, chase him like the sexy running back that you are, Tommy,” Sun ordered, still shooting. “This is gold.”

I caught Mac’s eye again as Tommy chased our goose around the Christmas tree. He was looking at me with something that made my heart flip, something that felt an awful lot like pride mixed with... more.

“And that’s a wrap.” Sun announced. “Someone catch that goose before he breaks anymore noses. I’d like to keep mine intact, thank you very much.”

The house was quiet after the chaos of the day. I changed out of the Mrs. Claus dress, but kept the old Hollywood hair and red lips. Something about them made me feel brave. Beautiful.

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