Santa Loves Curvy Girls

13. Nick

13

NICK

I was just crazy about Belle. I couldn’t get enough time with her.

So, after our shift, as we cleaned up for the day, I asked her out again.

I was counting down the days until I could get out of this Santa suit. I didn’t know exactly what would happen with us, but I knew I wanted her to see and be with the real me.

Even if I was nervous about her finding out who I really was. Could that be a dealbreaker for her? We’d never run in the same circles before at school. And for some reason, it was always a big deal if jocks didn’t go out with cheerleaders, like it was this unwritten rule that we were only supposed to date within our own circle.

I had no idea who had made up that rule, but I didn’t want to follow it.

I pushed that out of my mind. For now, I just wanted to focus on Belle.

“So, what do you say?” I asked her. The mall was almost empty. “Come to the movies with me?”

She angled her head a bit as she swept around my chair. “Are you sure?”

I didn’t miss a beat, helping move things out of the way. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

She stopped and took in my suit. “Well, you have to stay in your suit, right?”

“Yeah,” I replied. “Is that okay?” I wondered if it bothered her. It would definitely put us in the spotlight if we didn’t find a way around it.

“It doesn’t bother me,” she said, going back to sweeping. “I was just wondering if it bothered you, having to be in it all the time.”

I shrugged. “It’s part of the job. No one can know who I am.”

I held the dustpan for her as she finished up.

She gave me a small smile. “Okay,” she said finally. “I’ll go to the movies with you.” She turned to leave, but then spun around to face me again. “It has to be a Christmas movie, though.”

I grinned. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Instead of going through the main part of town, we took the long way so we could avoid most of the foot traffic.

We also walked quickly because it was colder than ever. And windy. My hat almost blew off, but I grabbed it in time.

No one needed to see that Santa Claus had a full head of blonde hair.

We finally made it to A Wonderful Film. I went up to the counter and got us two tickets to Home Alone .

“This is definitely my favorite Christmas movie of all time,” I said as we walked into the last theater at the end of the hall.

A few people sat chatting, eating their popcorn, and waiting for their movie to begin. They didn’t notice Santa Claus come in with a cute girl behind him.

We went to one of the top rows and took a seat. The theater was already dark, and part of me wanted to take off my beard, at least. But I couldn’t take that kind of risk. Not with Belle or anyone else.

“What’s your favorite Christmas movie?” I asked her.

She munched on some popcorn, and I did the same.

“Oh, definitely The Grinch . The one with Jim Carrey,” she replied.

“That is the best one,” I added. “Solid choice. If you had said anything else, I definitely would’ve judged you.”

She smiled. “As long as you don’t say that Die Hard is your favorite, I won’t judge you.”

I clutched at my chest. “It’s not my favorite Christmas movie, but it’s up there! Die Hard is definitely a Christmas movie.”

I would die on this hill.

Belle rolled her eyes but smiled back. “I knew it. This friendship was doomed.”

I laughed, and she did too, and then we both quieted down because the previews were starting.

“This is the best part,” I whisper-shouted.

“Agreed!” she replied.

By the time we got to the part with the choir, I turned to look at Belle. This part always got me. She turned to me and smiled. Before I could think about it too much, I reached my hand over to find hers.

My gloves had come off earlier with the popcorn, so it almost felt like getting to share a small part of the real me. Her hand was soft. I gave it a squeeze, and we went back to the movie.

After it was over and Kevin got his family back and the credits were rolling, we sat there for a while just talking.

“Do you and your family have any fun traditions?” I asked her.

“Well, we always exchange books on Christmas Eve. Like a Secret Santa type thing. Then we read together, drink hot chocolate, and go to bed pretty early,” she said. “After setting out cookies and milk for Santa, of course.”

I nodded. “Of course. Very important.”

She grinned. “What about you?”

“Well, we usually go to the Garland Express. My mom loves the sleigh rides. And then we walk through Tinsel Terrace. I like the lights. And then we go to Scrooge’s,” I finished. “It’s kind of become a holiday tradition ever since I burned the turkey a couple years ago. And I think my mom likes not having to cook so much, especially since it’s just the two of us.”

“That sounds fun,” she said. “Is it usually busy?”

I added, “No, actually. It’s usually pretty quiet. And my mom likes to harass Henry. Really, I think she senses that he gets kind of lonely this time of year, so we always go and hang out with him.”

Henry was the owner of Scrooge’s, and he was kind of a real-life Scrooge. Older, kept to himself, didn’t have much family around anymore. Mom said he reminded her of her dad.

“Henry always says he hates the holiday fuss, but I think you’re right that he must just get a little lonely. That’s sweet of you guys to check in on him.”

“He also serves the best burgers and milkshakes in town,” I said.

Maybe soon, I could take her , I thought.