“It’s a bit chilly now. You can’t go out without one.” Your father would kill me. “Do you want to wear my white fur cape?”
Her eyes light up. “Can I?”
It’s fake fur––and it’s too big for her––but she wears it like it’s a pricey bespoke luxury item.
The cape goes well with my costume. I’m Queen Elsa of Arendelle for the day. I agreed to Naomi’s costume request with a caveat. There’s too much running around going on at the shop for the silver high heels she had selected. So underneath my sparkling sequin blue thrift-shop find, I’m wearing a pair of high top Converse sneakers totally covered in rhinestones. A birthday gift from her.
“Yay! You’re the bestest, Everly!”
“You mean the best?” I gently correct.
She shakes her head vehemently. “No. Bestest,” she affirms.
I can’t help but grin.
“So you’ll keep covered up?” I ask.
She nods so hard, her blonde curls go flying all over the place, so does her tiara. “Oops.”
I laugh.
My God, she’s too adorable for words.
“Put your crown back on and I’ll go grab the cape.”
“Okay.”
I’m back in no time.
Naomi snuggles into the fake fur and I tell her she looks beautiful.
“Thank you, Everly,” she beams.
“My pleasure,” I offer a warm smile.
Daddy stands there, watching us with this strange expression on his face. Our gaze meet, but he moves his attention to the little blonde.
“We’re off?” he asks.
“Yes!” Naomi says.
As they’re ready to leave, the bell over the front door jingles. With one long step, Daddy is on it, his princess helper trailing behind him.
“Step right in, folks,” my father greets. “Princess Naomi and I are heading out to spread joy to the world, but my other helper over there is ready to make your Christmas a sugary one,” he points at me.
He grabs Naomi’s hand, and with a grin and a wave, they’re off.
Amazing.
* * *
I look up when I hear keys at the door.
Look what the cat's dragged in.
“I’m back!” Callum says when he walks into the shop.
My eyes move to the big clock over the espresso counter.
Five-past-five.
“Just in time for closing,” I say with a touch of sarcasm.
“Grumpy much?” He locks the door behind him, walks to the counter and drops the shopping bags he’s holding behind it.
I hook my fists to my waist and give him an unimpressed stare. “For God sakes, you’ve been gone for so long, I practically forgot what you look like. Where were you? Nashville, Tennessee?”
“Ha, ha, ha. Don’t quit your day job. Everything will be closed tomorrow. There were a few important things I needed to take care of. The last few weeks have been too crazy for me to be anywhere else but here.”
Guilt grips me.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be this bitchy. You practically live here. Where is my Christmas spirit?”
He strides towards me. “I’m not offended,” he says, tapping the tip of my nose with his index finger. “I saw the note at the door. I gather we had another stellar day?”
“You wouldn’t believe how many donuts we sold this afternoon.”
“Was Uncle Redford walking the streets preaching the goodness of sugar?”
I laugh. “He was at it until the last donut.”
“Good. So nothing left?”
“Nope. We’ve been sold out for the past forty-five minutes. Believe it or not, we ran out of some key ingredients. It was that crazy.”
Callum’s eyes widen. “No kidding?”
“Not a word of a lie.” I’m still blown away by this day. “Giving the time, I closed the shop early—hence the note—”
“Speaking of which, let me pull it down,” he says, running to the door.
“Good idea. It’s past five anyway,” I say. “In any case, once we closed, I went upstairs, took a shower and changed. I then wrestled with Naomi to get her in the tub to clean all the sugar off her body. After which, I negotiated with her to put on non-princess clothes. Finally, I transformed Luna back into a plain old dog, much to Naomi’s chagrin.”
“She’s too much. Where is she now?”
It’s amazing how much Callum and Naomi get along. I’ve never seen that side of him. I think he’s a natural. He just needs to find the right girl.
“Mom, Daddy, Luna and Naomi are chilling at my place.”
“When is the boyfriend coming over to pick up his queen and his little princess?” my cousin snickers.
I should be used to it by now, but still, I blush furiously.
“Holt was still stuck at work when I texted him forty minutes ago. He said he’d be here shortly.”
We’re going to his parents for Christmas Eve dinner. My parents are also coming along.
“The man is a workhorse,” Callum says.
“Even on Christmas Eve?” I complain.
“This past year has been monumental for his record company.”
Callum is right.
Holt’s artists have dominated every single award show this year. There have been so many sold-out shows across America, it’s impossible to keep track. It’s been amazing. I just worry he works too much sometimes.
“Is the staff gone?”
“Not yet. The kitchen is bustling with activity. They’re preparing a few last batches so everyone can go home with two dozen donuts.”
It’s a tradition. It’s a token of gratitude. Of course, the generous bonus is gravy.
“Good stuff. I’ll grab an extra dozen for Jesse. The man’s addicted.”
Since his parents are at a chichi resort in St. Lucia until the New Year—it was a big year for Uncle Blaize—Callum is spending Christmas Eve with his twin sister and her fiancé. Yup, Jesse popped the question four months ago.
“No problem,” I smile.
“What flavors is the staff making?”
“Since we’re low on ingredients, they can only make the two flavors of candy cane––”
There’s a series of loud knocks at the door.
Callum and I stare at each other.
“There’s always that one customer,” he laughs.
“Tell me about it.”
“Let me handle it.”
“Okay. Let me check up on the kitchen and tell them to make more donuts.”
“Sounds good,” he grins wide.
With a few long steps, Callum reaches the front door.
I turn on my heel, but freeze when he speaks.
“Are my eyes playing tricks on me? Please tell me you’re Vickie Sky’s doppelgänger.”
What?
“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m the real deal,” a woman says.
I immediately recognize the distinct timbre of her rich voice.
Carefully, I turn around.
Oh. My. God.
“Wow. Talk about the Christmas gift to end all Christmas gifts,” Callum says.
“I’m flattered, but you might change your mind in a minute. I’m about to become that customer.”