Father Christmas (Kringle & Co #4)

Chapter 13

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

M indy sat alone in her dimly lit apartment, the twinkling city lights outside casting a melancholy glow across her tear-stained cheeks. She glanced at the carefully decorated Christmas tree, the stockings hanging expectantly, the brightly wrapped gifts beneath that now seemed to mock her heartache. This was supposed to be the most magical time of year, but without Noel, none of it mattered.

She'd decided to leave his apartment after he hadn't come back in an hour. One excuse she gave herself was that she didn't want to come between father and son. The other excuse was that she was terrified that Noel would choose Elvin over her.

And why wouldn't he? They'd known each other for less than twenty-four hours. But it had seemed like a lifetime for Mindy—a lifetime that she had been looking forward to.

Looking out the window at the snow still falling, the immediate future looked a little bleak. Mindy tugged the sides of the bathrobe snuggly around her body. Yes, it was the robe she'd worn back at Noel's place. As stealing from the office went, this was the most she'd ever taken. Especially since she wasn't entirely sure she'd have a job tomorrow.

The robe was a plush texture that enveloped her in warmth and comfort. It was the kind of robe that felt luxurious against her skin, the fabric smooth and inviting. A faint scent of Noel clung to it. It was a subtle aroma, a mixture of his cologne and the natural scent of his skin that filled her senses.

She'd never fallen this hard so fast. So foolishly.

Her boss.

Her ex's dad.

She didn't regret it. Not a single moment. Every woman deserved a day and a night with a man like Noel Kringle. It was just that Mindy wanted to spend the rest of her days with him, and she did not want to share.

A sudden knock at the door made Mindy jump. Her pulse quickened as she rushed to answer it, heart swelling with hope that it was Noel returning to sweep her into his strong arms. She swung open the door, eyes bright with anticipation, only to be met with the sight of the last person she wanted to see.

"Elvin," Mindy said flatly, the name bitter on her tongue.

"Hey, baby," Elvin drawled, his trademark crooked grin plastered across his boyish face.

Mindy fought the urge to slam the door right then and there. But she wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

"What do you want?" she asked sharply.

"I want you back, Mindy. I know I messed up, but it's Christmas. Can't we forgive and forget?"

Mindy stared at him in disbelief. After everything, he thought she would just take him back with some half-hearted apology? She had wasted too much time on Elvin already. It was time to close that chapter for good.

"I'm with… your dad."

"Oh yeah? Where is he?" Elvin peered around the door.

Mindy wasn't sure. She'd watched Noel walk out the door after Elvin. She'd assumed they were together.

"He went to the office. That's what you'll need to get used to with my dad. Work comes first."

"Whereas you're nothing like that."

"You come first."

"Yeah. And then Amber is on one side. And what was her name? Renee is on the other."

"They didn't mean anything."

"Goodbye, Elvin."

"Wait!"

"No, it's over."

"Okay, fine. It's over. But how about a little parting gift?"

She looked at him incredulously. Was he seriously asking her for sex?

"Can I borrow a hundred bucks for gas money?"

Mindy blinked. And then blinked again.

Elvin opened his mouth, but before he could respond, she firmly shut the door, the decisive click echoing through the silent apartment. Mindy leaned against the closed door, exhaling a shaky breath. Thankfully, he didn't pound on the door or shout. All was quiet inside and out of her apartment. But inside, Mindy was raging.

The audacity of it all left her momentarily speechless. She couldn't reconcile the image of the responsible and respectable Noel with the entitled and irresponsible Elvin. How were they the same species, let alone father and son?

Walking over to her Christmas tree, Mindy bent down and plugged in the lights. The colorful bulbs began to twinkle merrily, casting a warm glow over the room. She allowed herself a small smile, comforted by the familiarity of her favorite decorations.

She turned on some Christmas music, letting the soothing melodies fill the air. She hummed along as she tidied up her apartment, pausing to sip some hot apple cider. The cinnamon and clove blended perfectly with the scent of pine wafting from the tree.

As she finished cleaning, Mindy noticed the mistletoe she had hung in the kitchen doorway weeks earlier. She had imagined sharing a tender kiss beneath it with Noel on Christmas Eve. Now it seemed out of place, a relic from the past. Mindy considered taking it down but decided to leave it. While her romantic plans had changed, she still appreciated the tradition it represented.

When the knock came at the door, she assumed it was Elvin. He never took the first no for an answer. He had a habit of badgering her until she gave in. Not this time.

But when she swung the door open, it wasn’t Elvin. Noel stood on her stoop looking delicious in a road coat with black trim. He was her naughty Santa come to life. And Mindy hoped she was the only name on his list. Didn't matter if it was the naughty or the nice list, just so long as she was on there.