Christmas Eve Love Story

Thirty-Six

Annie and Braden entered the living room, and Harrington scooted over on the sofa. “Here,” he said. “I can make room for two more.”

Annie blushed and took her seat. “Thanks, Harrington.”

Bea was in the armchair and the others sat on folding chairs. Cari sat cross-legged on the floor, tempting Leo with his new wand toy, which had a stuffed candy cane attached to its end.

“So, how long have you worked at Lawson’s?” Dora asked Annie.

“About three years,” Annie said at the same time as Braden. She jerked her wineglass away from her lips, and wine sloshed in the glass. She hadn’t told him that on the first day. Only on the second day, when they were at the Blue Dot. Maybe he was remembering some things? She’d take even a little bit because those “little bits” might bring back more.

“I, um—” Braden set down his fork. His face screwed up as he stared at her. “You must have mentioned it?”

“Yeah, sure.” Annie addressed the group. “A couple of kids running wild through the store bulldozed into my front-window display.”

“Oh no!” Dora gasped.

“Yeah, really trashed it,” Braden agreed.

Jane frowned at Annie. “What a rotten thing to have happen on Christmas Eve.”

“It wasn’t—great.” Annie sipped from her wine. “But luckily, Braden helped me pick up.” They’d augmented that window display—so many times. And now, it was perfect.

“Yeah,” Braden said. “We got it done.” He seemed to be searching for certain answers in her eyes. Annie had questions too. Especially about Lawson’s new store Santa with his big, round belly and ho ho hos. He’d commented on her window, providing her and Braden with tons of tips. Braden was right about that guy being different. Ultra convincing. But not that convincing. For goodness’ sake, Annie! Everyone knows Santa isn’t real. Still. A sneaky, tiny doubt tugged at her soul. She was glad Braden was checking with HR about him.

Braden set his plate on the coffee table in front of him. “We finished up just in time too,” he said about fixing her window. He folded his cloth napkin, resting it beside his plate.

“Before closing?” Harrington asked him.

“Before Veronica Lawson made her surprise appearance at the store,” Braden answered.

“Oh yeah .” Annie laughed. “What a stroke of luck!” That last time.

Braden chuckled. “Imagine if she’d come in earlier. That would have been a disaster.”

“Ha! Yeah.” Not long afterward, Patrice had told Annie about her promotion. Kira got promoted too. Even though her first Christmas Eve had started out badly, her twelfth Christmas Eve had turned into a stellar day. True, it took her long enough to get there, but she wasn’t giving any of it back. Not one precious second.

Braden nodded. “The big boss was super pleased with Annie’s window.”

Harrington winked at Annie. “Sounds like that cloud had a silver lining.”

Annie glanced at Braden and smiled. “Several, actually.” Every time his sparkly blue eyes caught the light, her pulse hummed. But of course. He was a very attractive guy, and he’d so generously helped her. He’d supported her emotionally too. She’d always be grateful for his kindness and— sigh —his sexy grin.

“And you, Braden?” Bea asked him. “Have you worked at Lawson’s long?”

He smiled at the older woman. “Not as long as Annie. Going on two years now.”

The group made casual chitchat about this and that, with Annie and Braden stealing occasional glances at each other. Each time his eyes met hers she felt a zing —an incredible sense of connection. From the sparkle in his eyes, he sensed it too. She wanted so badly to hang on tight, but another part of her said, Easy, Annie. Have faith in how things will unwind.

Oh, how she hoped with all her heart that they’d end favorably.

Once Braden and Dora had finished eating and complimenting the chefs, Harrington surveyed their empty plates. “How about we break out my chocolates and that peppermint bark?” he said to Annie.

“Great idea.” She grinned around the room. “Who wants pumpkin pie? And cannoli!” Snow fell beyond the windows, and the wind blew white streaks against the glass, but inside everyone was warm, comfy, and dry.

“This has been a very nice Christmas,” Bea said as she stood by the doorway a while later. She held her empty casserole dish in her hands, and all the guests, besides Dora, carried small takeout containers of roast beef for making sandwiches later. “Thanks so much for thinking of it.”

“Yeah,” Jane said. Sam and Cari were beside her. “What a very nice treat.”

Sam nodded at Annie. “Thanks for letting me crash your party.”

Annie smiled at Sam. “Of course.”

Harrington eased himself over the threshold using his walker. “Thank you, young lady. I was honored to be included.”

Annie smiled fondly at the older gentleman. “It was an honor to include you. Thanks for coming.”

Harrington eyed the steep stairs.

“I’ll help you down,” Eric offered, coming up alongside him.

Braden stepped toward them. “So will I.” Annie’s heart ached at him going away. Totally uncalled for and silly. It wasn’t like they were involved—romantically.

Annie’s heart beat harder, and sleigh bells sounded in her head.

Wait.

Dora grasped the covered platter holding her roast. She’d left the remaining cannoli with Annie for her to enjoy—thought there was honestly very little left. “Thanks for the generous invite. I’m so glad we found your note.”

“Yeah,” Annie answered, “me too.” She observed Eric and Braden helping Harrington down the stairs. They’d left Harrington’s walker on the landing, and the older man gripped the railing with his right hand, cautiously navigating his descent. Eric braced Harrington’s left elbow, and Braden spotted him from in front, easing his way down each step.

Sam watched the action, speaking to Jane, “I can take the walker down for him and meet you and Cari back upstairs.”

Jane smiled at her thoughtfulness. “Sounds good.” She took Cari’s hand and spoke to Annie. “Thanks again for everything.” She darted a fond glance at her child. “And I do mean everything.”

“My pleasure,” Annie said. What a Christmas it had been, leaving her apartment and her heart so full. Sam picked up the walker, and she, Jane, and Cari waited patiently for the stairwell to clear.

Eric shot Annie a look over his shoulder. The small group was halfway down the stairs to the second floor. “Thanks for the great dinner, and also those amazing cinnamon rolls!”

Annie chuckled. “Glad you liked them.”

Braden peered up at her, and her heart stilled. “Yeah,” he said. “Thanks, Annie.” But that somehow wasn’t enough. She wanted more. More time with Braden. Just a chance for the two of them. She had let him go, and now the fates had brought him back to her. She wanted it all.

Bea disappeared into her apartment and waved. “Merry Christmas, everybody!”

“Merry Christmas!” the men called up the stairs.

“Happy holidays!” Jane said.

Annie shut her door, and Leo bounded over. She scooped him up in her arms. “What do you say? Did you like meeting Cari?” He purred, and she snuggled him closer. “I bet you did.” What an ideal Christmas. Only one thing could have made it better. Someone knocked on her door, and nerves flitted around in her belly.

Please let it be him. Please, please, please, please. Please.

She pulled open the door, and there he stood.

Braden.

He shared a lopsided grin. “I didn’t really get to say goodbye.”

“Oh.” She stepped back, holding the cat. “Do you want to come in?”

“That’s all right. Ma’s waiting for me downstairs.” He shifted on his feet. “This was kind of uncanny though, wasn’t it?” His eyes twinkled. “I mean, the two of us?” He gestured between them. “Both at Lawson’s and now here?”

“Yeah.” Her pulse raced. “It’s really something.”

“I mean, I don’t normally believe in fate.” He held open his hands. “But sometimes, when the universe kicks you in the head, you’ve got to listen.”

Annie’s heart warmed. “I know exactly what you mean.”

“So yeah, Annie. I was thinking.” His neck colored slightly, and so did his ears. “Maybe I should get your number? You know, so I can text ya—about the Blue Dot. Or any other old thing.” His face looked so hopeful she wanted to kiss him. Really, really, really wanted to kiss him, so hard. Like she had that one time that he seemed not to remember.

“All right.” She put Leo down and stepped into the hall, closing the door behind her. She handed Braden her cell phone, and he gave her his, so they could enter their contact information.

“Great.” Braden grinned and held up his phone. “I’ll be in touch.”

Annie smiled happily. “Okay.”

She couldn’t wait. From the look in his eyes, neither could he. The two of them were meant to fit, like two candy canes in a cup of cocoa, or a hand in a holiday mitten. And it wasn’t because of any time loop with loopholes. It was because of who they were—both individually, and together.

Maybe she would get to use that mistletoe after all.