Page 61 of Holiday Hopefuls
12
Oliver
The nice thing about tonight is that my best friends will be here, too. And while they should—and will—be here to support Cici the Reindeer, they’ll also be getting a front row seat to what Callie and I look like together in action.
“It looks like there are some seats over near the middle.” Jo points to where four cafeteria chairs practically have a light shining down upon them. With the number of parents and family members here, it’s honestly a miracle that she spotted that many together at all. But the churn of friends and family leaving after each class helps with the seating issue.
John nods, hands glued to his daughter’s shoulders. His daughter that truly does look like a little reindeer with her brown fleece suit, antlers headpiece and face paint. “Good catch. You three go save them while I get Cici to her class.”
Cici wiggles in place, dancing to the holiday music playing over the speakers before the first class takes the stage.
“I think I better go with you,” I offer, clearing my throat. “Since her teacher is my girlfriend, and all.”
Beside me, Rindy grins. “Right. Good thinking, lover boy.” She holds out her hand, and I grace her with the task of watching my coat. “There’s nothing like your face on hers to make a class recital go smoother.”
Rolling my eyes, I turn and run to catch up with John and Cici. It’s a quick walk from the cafeteria to Callie’s classroom and Cici does a pretty good job of giving us show spoilers the whole way.
But my favorite kindergartner’s enthusiasm is warranted when her gorgeous teacher squeals as soon as Cici walks through the door. “Cici McNalley, you look absolutely adorable!” Callie kneels so that she’s eye-level with Cici, my girlfriend’s fitted cocoa blouse and dark jeans accentuating every curve. Her long hair is pulled back into a ponytail, the loose strands telling how much she’s been running around keeping order. “How does your costume fit? Are the antlers poking at all?”
Cici shakes her head, causing said antlers to look a little haywire.
With an expert hand, Callie fixes the headpiece in record time and sends Cici over to her desk. “Hey guys,” Callie breathes, looking between John and I. Finally landing on me, she blinks. “You came.”
The smile already on my face threatens to test the human laws of physics. “Of course I’m here. I wouldn’t miss it.”
“I’m, um, I guess I’m just not used to that,” she laughs. Nerves make her voice higher than normal, but whether it’s the stress of managing her class or my presence, I’m not sure.
I know which one I hope it is.
“I mean, Connie’s usually here somewhere,” she continues, “but she doesn’t come back here or anything. John—” she says, remembering we’re not alone “—are you ready for Cici’sperformance? Got your camera prepped and ready to capture the cutest reindeer?” The questions are rehearsed, as if she’s asked them a hundred times.
Grinning, John holds up the silver camera he’s had for years. “You bet, Ms. Rutherford. Ci gave us the rundown of when her parts are, so I feel well-prepared.”
Callie smiles, shaking her head. “That girl cracks me up.”
“You and me both,” he nods. I send him my best get lost look, which he astutely picks up on before I have to escort him to the door. He claps my shoulder. “Ollie, you good to get back to the cafeteria by yourself? Or do you need a chaperone?”
Flicking away his hand, I have a hard time looking away from the stunning woman tenderly helping a little boy fix a button on his shirt. “I’m good, man. Now get out of here.”
“See you out there.” John laughs all the way to the hall.
With the boy’s costume back in order, Callie turns to me. A shy smile graces her lovely face. “Hi,” she breathes.
I don’t bother hiding my own grin. “Hi, Ms. Rutherford.”
“Is it weird I still can’t believe you’re actually here?”
My lips tip down. “We’re a team, Callie. If you’re up to bat, I’m in the dugout rooting for you.”
That soft smile grows into a full-blown grin. “I feel like we should come up with a secret handshake or something.”
Laughter bursts through my lips. “If that’d make you feel better, I’ll get to work on one. Though—” I peek around her to the kids chattering excitedly among themselves “—you may have better resources for that than I would.”
“Maybe,” she nods. “Are Rindy and Joanna here, too?”
Nodding, I glance at Cici, who’s busy smoothing another girl’s hair. “They wouldn’t miss it. So,” I say, looking back at the amazing woman before me, “where do you wait while they’re on stage?”
“Off in the wings. You know, just in case one of them decides to start eating their weight in boogers on stage, or something.”
