Page 2 of Say Merry Christmas, Boss

“Do you know if Santa has any water?” I asked.

Her chestnut hair was thick and wavy down her back, when she swung her head around to see who was speaking, the tendrils of it brushed my arm. I couldn’t feel it through the jacket I had on, but when her gray-blue eyes connected with mine all of my hair stood on end.

It was an unfamiliar feeling, like…I knew her.

“Uhm.” She said, “I’m not sure.” She tucked a lighter strand of hair behind her ear and looked back at the big man in the chair. “But, I could ask?”

“Do I know you?” I asked, puzzled at the notion of possibly knowing this woman.

Her eyes were heavily glittered, and her dark golden cheeks were painted pink, even still. I felt like Iknewher.

“I don’t think so.” She said, eyes searching my face. Her lips were glossy and pink, her teeth dug into them as she looked at me.

I didn’t know what else to say. Honestly, I’d forgotten what it was I had even come over here for. She was beautiful, and I couldn’t think straight. I wouldn’t be able to do anything else until I figured out who she was.

“Do you want me to ask him?” She asked, pulling me from my tunnel of thoughts.

“What?”

“Santa, you asked if he had water.” Her head tilted to the side as she looked up at me, eyes slightly squinched.

“Oh, right. Yeah, I’ll just get him a bottle.” I turned and walked away from her, kicking myself for acting like a jackass. God, she probably thought I was an idiot.

At the bar I asked for two bottles of water, and a beer. I wasn’t sure I could get through another conversation without one. I couldn’t get the nagging feeling in my chest to go away.

The bartender handed the ice cold bottles to me and a glass frosted and filled with golden liquid. I took a few gulps, suds clung to my beard and I wiped them away with one of the little red square napkins on the wooden top.

With that sampling of liquid courage, I made my way through the now crowded space back toward Santa and the elf. I offered the bottles to her and she took them, quickly bringing them to Santa before another child could clamor up his leg into his lap. Poor man needed a break.

I couldn’t imagine smiling like he was the entirety of this event, even if it was only a few hours.

He nodded his thanks in my direction when the short elf woman pointed to me, and I took that as my cue to walk away. I wasn’t going to figure out how I knew her by stalking her all night.

I needed to give up on the notion of figuring it out andmingle, as Becks so kindly suggested.

“Aye, Peacock.” Jeremiah’s deep voice broke through my thoughts, and I smiled.

“It’s been a long time,” I said, wrapping his hand with mine and pulling him in. We pated shoulders in the typical ‘bro hug’ and stepped back.

“Look at this mop!” He twisted his hand on top of my head, mussing the curls I’d just styled not long ago.

“Yeah, Becks keeps me too busy to get a haircut.”

“I’ll bet.” He nodded and smiled, as another man we knew entered The Barn. “I’m gonna get a beer, want a refill?”

“Nah man, I’m good.”I declined politely, better to only have one, I didn’t want to stay longer than I had to. It was a good evening for a quick jog, and a long soak.

Microphone static and feedback jarred everyone from their conversations, and eyes swiveled toward the makeshift stage near where Santa was perched.

Becks held a glass of champagne and chuckled into the mic. “That’ll get your attention!”

Everyone laughed with her, she had that essence about her. The kind that made you feel like you were one of the most important people on the planet. The elf clad woman I couldn’t stop thinking about, joined her on stage, holding a shiny plaque award. She was glowing under the stage lights.

“I won’t babble on, I promise.” Becks started her speech, as if she could ever be considered a babbler, “tonight is about celebration, and you all deserve it. But there’s one of you that I’d be remiss if I didn’t personally thank, and thoroughly embarrass at the same time.”

I loved it when Becks did her surprise awards. They were always hilarious, and I couldn't wait to see which poor soul would be roasted.

“Many of you already know him, I mean, he’s pretty hard to miss.” Everyone laughed, “when he first toddled into my office, solemn faced and in an ill fitted suit, I knew he would either be a dud, or an incredible asset to our cause.”

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