Christmas-ing With You

Chapter 1

May was an awkward month. There were no major occasions to celebrate. Compared to the hustle and bustle of winter, crowded by holiday celebrations, or the summer, when some stretched their travelling muscles, May had the habit of feeling like a forgotten collection of days to bridge the seasons.

That awkwardness was lost within the pearly lobby of the historical Turtledove Building on Main Street. Whether it was the deep freeze of December or the steamiest day in July, the London headquarters for Loving Heart Television always radiated the joy of Christmas. Of their many television romance departments, their yearly Love For The Holidays offerings were by far their most popular.

Red velvet ribbons wound up the marble columns to create enormous candy canes. Pale gold fairy lights were strewn about the room, from the Christmas trees that stood beside the lifts, to the frame that held the building directory. Silver bells hung from forest green garland that lined the room. The music playing in the lift was Christmas themed. Even the security guard perched by the revolving doors who signed guests into the building had a bushy white beard, round belly, and twinkling blue eyes behind his tiny spectacles.

Louis Tomlinson, mystery writer, accepted his ID from said Santa-like security guard. He scribbled his signature on the guest log. His gaze caught on the last person to sign in and his hand slowed.

Harry Styles.

His head tilted as he read over the romance writer's loopy signature. They had never met, but he couldn't work for Loving Heart Television without hearing about Harry Styles. Louis worked exclusively on their Magic & Mystery productions while Harry was a rising romance star. His work on their Everyday Romance films were especially popular amongst viewers.

"Everything alright?"

Louis straightened up and looked at Nicholas. "Oh, yes. Yeah, sorry." He let out a quiet chuckle and smoothed his fingers through his windblown quiff. He had gotten a haircut not too long ago and his hair was in its weird growing out phase. Not quite as full as he usually liked it but a touch messier than he would have preferred for a meeting with his boss. "Blanked for a moment. Erm, sixth floor, like usual?"

"Fifteenth floor today. Suite 15A." Louis' brows arched and his mouth opened slightly. Nicholas' eyes seemed to twinkle even brighter. The guard leaned closer to whisper, "Must be an important meeting if Celia called you in."

"Wow, okay, cool." Louis smoothed the front of his slate blue jumper, then tugged the bottom of his black blazer. He should have given it a more enthusiastic press before leaving that morning. While most shed layers as summer loomed, he still felt chilly. A curse of always being cold, no matter the season. He hoped that being called in to the main offices at the time when they were mapping out their next holiday offerings meant there was a possibility they were adding a Christmas mystery series, but he didn't want to get too excited before learning more. "Thanks so much for the tip."

A lift pinged in the distance.

"Better catch that one. The other lift is getting worked on by maintenance." Nicholas winked. "Don't want to be late."

Louis looked at his watch and groaned. "Ah, fuck me. And I even took an earlier train." He jogged sideways. "Thanks, Nick!"

He didn't hear Nicholas' reply as he ran at full speed towards the closing doors. He droned, "Noooo," on a long vowel while watching the doors close, his hand outstretched. Once the sliver of space between doors disappeared, he smoothly changed his word to, "Shhhhiiiit," and dropped his arm. He bent over with his hands on his thighs, breathing quick. He searched the lobby. Where were the bloody stairs? A ping behind him interrupted his search.

"Going up?"

Louis spun towards the deep, questioning voice but saw only open lift doors. "Thank you so much," he blurted out. He hurried into the lift with such urgency that the collar of his jacket flew up and blocked his vision. "Thank you for holding it." He pushed fabric off his nose and looked at the lift buttons. Fifteen was the only one illuminated. "Oh. We're going to the same..."