Christmas and Tchaikovsky

Chapter 2

The next few days were a whirlwind of new shipments arriving, people shopping for Christmas and students hanging out in the coffee area with their laptops and earbuds studying for midterm exams. Libby kept an eye out for Chance Ford and finally her efforts were rewarded on a Friday when she saw him having coffee with a business associate or client across the store. She was busy assisting customers, but he flashed his brilliant smile in her direction and waved in acknowledgement. By the time she had finished helping a customer in the children's section, she was bummed to see that he had left the shop. Oh well, next time she thought. Returning to the front desk there was a box with her name written on the top sitting next to the register. Before she could open it, several customers approached ready to check out and she got so busy with gift wrapping and bagging that she had almost forgotten about the small box until much later. Artie approached and propped herself on the side of the desk now the latest rush was over.

"Wow, you can tell the holidays are in full swing. I cannot seem to keep enough scones and tarts made. Just wait until January when everyone goes on a diet. I'll have to change over to bran muffins and granola bars. What's that?" she asked, finally taking a breath, pointing at the box.

"Not sure, I found it right before a big wave of customers. I haven't had time to open it." Libby replied, picking up the small box and giving it a shake.

"Well open it, silly. What are you waiting for?" Artie moved in closer to get a good look. Libby noticed that the gift was wrapped beautifully and when she lifted the lid, lying on a bed of red glittery tissue paper was a beautiful origami poppy flower. "Oh!" Libby gasped. It was so delicate and perfectly formed. It reminded her of the poppies sometimes used in the "Waltz of the Flowers" in The Nutcracker. It was one of her favorite scenes because it also featured the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Artie, admiring the dainty flower, asked who it was from. Libby looked through the wrappings, all over the box, inside the layered tissue and found nothing. No note, no tag, nothing. "I have no clue, Artie!" Libby could not imagine who would have given her such an unusual gift. "Did you see anyone drop this off?" Libby inquired.

"Nope! Been too busy. Maybe it's Prince Charming...the one you fawn all over every time he comes in here.... what's his name?" snapping her fingers. "Chase Something?"

"Chance Ford. No, I don't think it could be him." Libby replied, placing the flower back in the box. About this time Michael joined them overhearing the two carrying on across the shop.

"Hey, what's going on? I could hear you two giggling hyenas over the espresso machine. Is there a big sale at Ulta Beauty or something?" His eyes twinkled as he spoke. He loved kidding the two of them because they were such easy targets.

Before Libby could speak Artie jumped in, "NO, I'll have you know Ms. Libby here has a secret admirer, Prince Charming. You know the guy. Always smiling and kissing butt when he comes in here."

Libby frowned and made a face at Artie because they had a strict rule – no personal stuff at work except between the two. Artie just rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out in response.

"Oh, yeah, I think I know the one. Always kissing the ladies' hands. What a dope! What's he done anyway?"

Again, Artie jumped in, "Weellll, we are not SURE, but we THINK he left a little gift for Libby on her desk. Go on, Libs, show him." She motioned for Libby to open the box.

Begrudgingly Libby gently lifted the lid of the box and held it out for Michael to see. As usual, he didn't act one way or the other, but stated, "Interesting...I wonder what measurements he derived to get all angles in perfect formation." Leave it up to Michael to spoil a romantic gift talking about numbers. Libby snapped the lid back on the box.

"I've got the inventory spreadsheet needing my attention. I suggest both of you go find something to do." Libby brushed past both and went into her office.

Michael and Artie both made a face and quickly moved toward the coffeeshop, but she could still hear them laughing as she slammed a few things around on her desk. After making a lot of unnecessary noise, she sat down and opened the small box. She had to admit the artistry of the origami flower really was a mathematical equation of perfection. Damn both of them! She quickly closed the box and put it in her top desk drawer with a slam. She didn't know why she was so miffed, but she would give anything to talk to her dad. Despite her efforts to not cry, a single tear rolled down her cheek. She finally had to admit it. She was lonely. Maybe it was because she was secretly hoping it was from Chance Ford, or maybe she just wanted to feel a little less lonely at Christmas. Wiping the tear away, she gathered up another pile of new titles that needed cataloging and shelving. She also needed to get the Kidz Korner ready for the next display. Work! That's what she needed.

The following week Libby did not have much time to think about Chance Ford or any guy as the store was busy the moment the doors opened until they ushered out the last customer at closing time. Her feet ached and she was sick of wrapping gifts, but she wouldn't have it any other way. If only her dad was there to see the store flourishing. He would have loved all the fuss and he and the guys would have sat in the corner observing all the holiday shoppers while they argued over the Parcheesi board.

She was gifting herself a rare afternoon off to have her hair trimmed and get a massage. She carried her stress in her shoulders and a nice massage would be a real treat. Arriving back at the store later in the afternoon, she looked and felt like a million bucks. Her stylist had trimmed and shaped her thick chestnut hair to frame her face and it really played up her brown eyes. She immediately noticed Chance Ford in the coffee area when she came in. Smiling to herself, she was extra glad today had been her salon day. Dropping her bag at her desk, she made her way back out to the counter. He was waiting for her with one of his superstar smiles.

"Wow! You look amazing, Libby! Who's the lucky guy?" Chance asked while he eyed her up and down.

"No one special, just treating myself." Libby answered looking him directly in the eye. This new hairdo was worth every dollar, she thought to herself. "Is there anything you need today? A gift idea?" She batted her eyes and waited for him to respond.

"Well, no. Actually, I just came in here hoping to see you. I was wondering if you'd like to meet me for drinks Friday night? Say Morton's around 5:30 p.m.?" He was actually asking her out!

"Uh, yes, yes, I would love that, thank you." Libby could not believe it. It took everything to remain cool and calm but the minute he walked out of the shop, she ran to the kitchen to find Artie.

A bit later she was walking past the front desk and saw another box, identical to the first sitting next to the register. As before, no card, same wrapping. She hurriedly opened it to find a miniature nutcracker nesting on the same red glittery tissue paper. It had to be from Chance! Had he snuck back while she was in the kitchen with Artie? Maybe he was going to surprise her by taking her to see The Nutcracker! Morton's was just around the corner from TPAC, after all. Wait until Artie sees this!

She had a date with Prince Charming!

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