Page 33 of Tangled In Tinsel & Knots
“Okay.” Hannah turns to face us, clasping her hands together. “First, thank you to all three of you. I know this isn’t your usual gig, and you’re doing it for free, which is—I can’t even express how much that means to me.”
“It’s no problem,” Chris says, leaning against the wall, all nonchalant. “We’re happy to help.”
I’m still on the fence about this.
“Still. I owe you. Big-time.” She’s nervous. The way she’s twisting her hands together, the slight tremor in her voice. “So I have one more favor to ask. And I completely understand if you say no, but I figured I’d at least try because?—”
“What do you need?” Kane interrupts gently.
She takes a deep breath, then reaches under the table and pulls out a bundle of what appear to be clothes.
Oh, no.
“The client loved the idea of themed staff for the petting zoo,” Hannah says quickly, words tumbling out. “And I thought it would be fun and festive, you know.” She unfolds the bundle, revealing a Santa suit as she stares at Chris.
He groans. “You’re kidding.”
“What’s another one for the team?” Kane adds with a smirk.
“You were perfect as Santa at the Winter Party! The kids loved you!” Hannah is practically pleading now. “And the client is advertising your presence on all the signage around the festival.”
Yet Chris is already reaching for the suit, resignation clear on his face. “Fine. I’m getting used to this gig anyway.”
I’ve never been more grateful that Chris volunteered to be Santa, because that means Kane and I don’t have to.
Then Hannah pulls out two bundles, smirking at Kane and me.
Elf costumes. Green tunics with zigzag hems. Red tights. Pointed hats with bells sewn onto the tips.
“Absolutely not,” I say immediately.
“Not happening,” Kane agrees, and I’m glad we’re on the same page about this.
“Come on!” Hannah holds up a smaller version of the costume. “I’m wearing one too! The whole petting zoo staff needs to match. It’s part of the theme!”
“It’s humiliating,” I add.
“It’s festive!”
“Those are very different things.”
She’s staring at us with those wide chocolate eyes, and I can feel my resistance starting to crumble. Which is infuriating. I don’t do costumes. I track criminals and drag them back to face justice, and I wear dark colors so blood doesn’t show.
This is so far outside my comfort zone that it’s in a different time zone.
“Please?” Hannah’s voice dips. “I promise you’ll look great. And I really need this to be perfect. Scot is probably lurking around somewhere, waiting for something to go wrong so he can report back to his uncle that I can’t handle events on my own.”
That does it. The thought of that prick trying to sabotage her kick-starts my protective instincts.
“Fine,” I hear myself say. “But if anyone I know sees me in this, I’m blaming you.”
“So that’s a yes!” Hannah actually bounces on her toes, excited, and my gaze drops to her chest before I can stop myself. Not fair. That’s completely not fair. She’s going to win every argument if she keeps doing that.
“We’ll do it,” Kane says, sounding resigned. “But I’m not happy about it.”
“You don’t have to be happy. You just have to look adorable.” She’s shoving costumes at us, grinning wide. “Get changed! I’ll be back in five minutes!”
Then she’s gone, door swinging shut behind her, bells jingling, and I’m left holding green felt and red tights.
