Holly Garland on Santa's Lap [COMPLETE]

CHAPTER 6 ~A mixed bag~

"I loved it when that little blonde girl with the pigtails spilled her orange juice all over her mom right after she pinched my butt! That was so satisfying!" Nick laughs, pulling off his beard and wig in the small dressing room.

"Oh, and the look on her dumb husband's face when you sneakily pinched his butt to punish him for grabbing mine! Priceless!" I add, bursting into laughter just thinking about it.

He laughs along with me.

"It was actually kinda fun," he sighs. "Thank God most of the kids were adorable. I even signed a few autographs!"

Yeah, I have to admit, it was a pretty good time. We made a funny, dynamic duo. People liked us so much that some of them even asked us to stay at their table. And I ended up signing some autographs, too, after Santa dubbed me his 'loyal elf Gingerbread.'

I take off my hat and let out a relieved breath as I sit down in front of the small vanity.

"Yeah, but it was exhausting, too. After standing for over two hours in these hellish heels, I think half my toes are gonna need to be amputated! Ugh..."

I spot an envelope on the table—it's our pay. Earlier, Lorna said she'd put together our check with a little extra gift.

Nick snatches the envelope while I check out the gift.

"Your suffering wasn't for nothing, Ginger. Look, 160 bucks! We're rich!!!" he says, practically bouncing as he shows off the crisp bills.

I chuckle at his obvious excitement.

"Correction, we're filthy rich!" I add, pulling out a few crumpled bills from my cleavage and spreading them out on the table to count quickly. "Forty-three dollars in tips!" I brag, handing him the green bills, which he slips into the envelope with the rest.

"Where'd those come from?" he asks, curious.

"Duh, tips! What'd you think? My costume doesn't have any pockets either, but at least I didn't end up broke!"

"And how come I didn't get any?"

"Well, my dear, that's because charming smiles don't stand a chance against short dresses and striped tights! Oh, and look at the gift Lorna gave us..."

It's a tote bag with a pen, a notebook, a cap, and a T-shirt—all with the restaurant's logo on them. How sweet of her!

It's crazy how something small can seem like a big deal when you have absolutely nothing. I think about those who live in tough, uncertain situations, and how a simple gesture from a stranger must feel to them, even when it's something small.

"An XL, awesome!" Nick exclaims, grabbing the T-shirt, clearly pleased too.

He strips off his Santa's jacket in front of me and turns his back so I can help him with the straps for the millionth time. He slips on the T-shirt without hesitation. But I've got enough time to appreciate his muscular build and that rugged scent of his for what feels like the fifth time in two days. Which, given my love life in the last two years, is way too much. Sure, I've dated a few guys before, but I've never lived with anyone. And the level of closeness that's built between Nick and me in such a short time feels both comforting and terrifying. Is that a good or a bad thing?

Unaware of my existential crisis, Nick puts his Santa coat back on, grabs the tote bag, and slides the envelope with our cash and my set of keys into it.

"Get changed fast, Gingerbread. We're gonna celebrate with that free meal!" he says, leaning down to plant a soft kiss on my cheek. "I'll wait for you in the dining room."