Page 4 of Tangled In Tinsel & Knots
“Besides,” Noel adds, and there’s amusement in his voice that makes me want to strangle him, “you’ve got nothing scheduled this afternoon after we drop him off. Calendar’s clear. You were just going to brood at home anyway.”
Lily is pulling out her phone, fingers flying across the screen. “Please. I’ll text you the address. We have suits there in different sizes, and we’ll find one that fits. The party starts in an hour. You just have to show up, smile, hand out some presents, and leave. That’s it. Surely you can manage that much?”
“I—”
“The guests have been looking forward to this for weeks,” she continues, and she’s good at this, relentless. Not pleading exactly, but applying pressure in all the right places. “Hannah has worked herself half to death making sure everything’s perfect. And if Santa doesn’t show, that’s going to break her heart. I can’t let that happen.”
“I’m not Santa,” I emphasize.
She grins. “No, you’re better. You’re the emergency Santa.”
God help me. I think she’s serious.
I glare at Kane, who’s still grinning like the devil himself. “Do you want to live with this guilt?” he says.
Noel is watching this entire situation unfold with barely concealed amusement. Declan is simply struggling in his grip.
“You two are also taking Santa,” I point out to Kane. “This isn’t just me.”
“Tomayto, tomahto.” Kane shrugs, completely unbothered. “But you’re the one with the height and the brooding aesthetic.”
“Come on,” Noel adds. “Take one for the team.”
“I hate you both. Deeply.”
Lily is still standing there, phone in hand, waiting. Behind her, the crowd starts to disperse now that the excitement is over, but there are still people watching, phones out, probably already posting to every social media platform known to man.
I stare down at Lily.
“One hour,” I hear myself say, and I want to punch myself for it. “I show up, do the Santa thing, then I’m done. And you’re giving me something in return.”
“Free pastries,” she says immediately. “A year’s worth. Whatever you want.”
“Brownies.” The word comes out before I can stop it, and Kane makes a noise that sounds suspiciously like he’s trying not to laugh.
Her face lights up. “Deal. You show up as Santa, you get brownies for a year.”
She’s already typing into her phone. “I’ll text you now. What’s your number?”
I recite it, feeling like I’m signing away my dignity with every digit. My phone buzzes seconds later.
Lily Parker: 447 Maple Ridge. Party starts at 4 p.m. Guard’s name is John. I’m texting him now so he’ll let you in and get you the suit. Thank you SO much. You have no idea what this means.
“Thank you,” Lily says, pocketing her phone. “Just show up and be jolly.”
“I don’t do jolly.”
“Sure you can. Ho ho ho. Merry Christmas. Joy to the world.”
“I’m going to need so much alcohol after this.”
“Whatever gets you through it.” She’s backing toward the bakery, and there’s relief on her face now, bright and genuine. “Thank you. Seriously. Just suppress your anger for a bit. You’ll be great!” Then she’s gone, disappeared back into the bakery.
I stand there in the snow, near a criminal in a Santa suit, while my two partners look at me as if I’ve just provided them with entertainment for the next six months.
“Get in the truck,” I growl. “All of you. Now.”
Noel is already moving, shoving Declan toward the vehicle. “This is the best day of my life. I need to document this. Photos. Video. Maybe a commemorative plaque.”
