Page 64 of All's Fair in Love and Christmas
“While the idea is tempting, it’ll have to wait for another day.”
Keri dropped her hand. “Why do you need her out of the office?”
Jeremy laid out his plan.
“It’s about time,” Keri exclaimed once he finished. “The two of you give a whole new meaning to the termslow burn. I’ve been trying to fan these flames for years.”
“So you’ll do it?”
“Count me in.”
———
Jeremy must have checked the clock a dozen times. The minute hand moved as quickly as a tortoise with a sprained ankle. Sloughing through a mud pit. Carrying an elephant on his shell. Finally, Keri and Mackenzie grabbed their bags and made their way to the elevator.
He stood and clapped his hands to get his coworkers’ attention. “Emergency meeting in the conference room.” He passed confused faces and whispered murmurings as he strode across the large space and opened the door to the conference room.
“What’s going on?” Rosa asked as she stopped in the doorway.
He flicked his chin toward the long table in the center of the room. “Take a seat, and I’ll fill everyone in at once.”
After everyone had arrived, he marched to the head of the table and swept his gaze over his coworkers. From mildly harassing Frank to sweet-as-sugar Rosa. He’d need each of them to come together to make this a Christmas Mackenzie would never forget.
“There’s been a change of plans with the office party tomorrow.”
“Is it canceled?” Rosa asked, her tone making Jeremy wonder if she hoped that were the case or if she’d be disappointed.
“No, it’s not canceled. But, with Sofiya’s permission, I have taken it over, and I need your help.”
“Our help with what?” Annabelle leaned forward.
“To make Mackenzie Graham’s Christmas just as special and memorable as she has made all of ours. She’s given us our childhood holiday memories back in living color. I say we do the same for her in return.”
Derek and Annabelle shared a look. “We’re in,” they said in unison.
“Me too.” Rosa smiled. “I’d forgotten how searching for Mary and Joseph every day leading up to Christmas made me feel as a child. I’d lost some of the Christmas magic, and Mackenzie found it for me again.”
“Can I wear a Santa suit?” Frank asked.
“No,” half a dozen voices chorused.
He held up his hands. “I was just asking. Sheesh.”
“What do you need us to do?” Rosa asked.
Jeremy shared about Mackenzie and her mother’s Christmas tradition of exploring the world and the people in it without ever leaving home.
“I’ve already bought the ingredients forbibingkaandputo bumbong,” Rosa offered.
“What’s that?” Frank’s upper lip curled.
Rosa turned toward him. “They’re both rice cakes served near churches in the Philippines duringSimbang Gabi. They’re delicious, but you don’t have to eat them if you’re going to look at them like that.”
To his credit, Frank tried to hide the disgust twisting the lower half of his face.
Derek raised his hand. “I’m from the heartland of America. The only Christmas foods I know are honey-glazed ham and mashed potatoes.” He looked unsure.
“That’s fine.” Jeremy pointed. “You can be in charge of bringing Christmas in Japan to life.”
