Page 86 of The Christmas Fix
Cat,
After a cursory glance, I don’t think any of these applicants are ideal for what you have planned. Just my two cents. And if you want my opinion—which you haven’t asked for—I’d recommend that you keep looking. The right location is out there.
Noah
It was the same conclusion she’d been dancing around last night. Either the physical location wasn’t right, zoning laws were too strict, or the local economy was already more than stable. She wanted to bring this school to a community that needed it, that would embrace it. But at least it was a start. She still had another month before the application process expired. She’d find it.
She traced a finger over Noah’s hastily scrawled signature and, with a sigh, pulled out her phone. She snapped a picture of the stack of papers, the Christmas tree in the background.
Cat: I see I had a helpful elf here today.
When he didn’t respond immediately, Cat opened the boxes of ornaments. She took her time, hanging them in a pattern for best coverage. And while she did, she wondered how Noah knew she’d want to decorate the tree herself.
Her phone buzzed from the couch cushion.
Noah: Santa and his elves work 24/7 in Merry this time of year.
Cat smiled despite herself. The man had gone out and figured out how to do the nicest thing possible: save her time.
Cat: Well, please tell them I appreciate it.
Noah responded with a picture of his rug burn on one knee.
Noah: Not as much as I do.
She laughed and before she could think better of it, shucked off her shirt. She’d earned her own rug burn on her lower back over her hip bones. She snapped the picture over her shoulder and fired it off to him.
Noah: You’re literally killing me. How am I supposed to focus on Sara’s essay on M.C. Escher now?
Cat: From what I can recall you’re quite attentive. I’m sure you won’t have any problems.
Noah: The Hais are moving back into their house this week.
Cat: I’m aware.
They’d film for a day at the Hais. It would air as the next to last episode of the show.
Noah: They’re spending the weekend with Jasper’s parents, and Sara stays with her mom…
Cat paused and chewed on her lip.
Cat: Is that so?
Noah: How would you feel about spending the night here? With me. My shower is bigger than yours. And my couch is bigger than the Barbie furniture in your trailer.
Cat: Tempting.
It was.Hewas. And she wasn’t sure how she felt about that.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Three weeks to Christmas Eve
It was after ten when Cat slipped onto Noah’s porch under the cover of shadows and knocked softly. She leaned against the clapboard siding and stared out at the darkened neighborhood. They had three weeks before Christmas Eve. Three episodes had already aired, and people were talking about the show and not just speculating about her and Drake now. Best of all, a few more advertisers were on board. And she was riding the fine line of adrenaline and exhaustion.
The applications for the school were trickling in, still without a standout location. And with the grant money burning a hole, Cat was anxious to give the project her full focus. But that meant leaving Merry. Leaving Noah.
The door opened, and there he was. Hair disheveled, worn college t-shirt, and bare feet sticking out of those easy access sweatpants she found so sexy. He shoved his glasses back up the bridge of his nose and grinned at her.
