Holly Garland on Santa's Lap [COMPLETE]

Chapitre 14 ~White Christmas~

The kids are chilling at the cabin with their grandparents babysitting. It's Saturday night, and Christmas Eve is all ours!

I'm beyond pumped for this night run. Me. Holly Garland, the Christmas grinch herself, getting excited for a Christmas thing!

Oh yeah!

Guess anything's possible.

But really, this is all thanks to Nick. Or Santa. Maybe both?

Anyway, here we are getting suited up at one of the rental shops at the resort. It's crowded, so people head outside as soon as they're ready to make some space.

"Ready to roll, Ginger?" Nick asks, standing next to Jamie, both of them fully geared up for like five minutes already.

"Nah, they can't find my size in boots. You guys go on, I'll catch up."

He hesitates for a second, but Jamie practically drags him out. He's that eager to find everyone else.

Typical holiday luck—something's gotta trip me up. But who cares? My spirits are flying high. Nothing's ruining this vibe.

"Here you go, miss!" the shop guy calls, handing over the boots I've been waiting for.

"Sweet! Thanks so much!" I bounce on my toes, thrilled.

I don't believe it! Could positivity actually be breaking my Christmas curse?

I grab a seat on a bench to lace up, but right as I'm finishing, someone calls my name.

"Holly, over here!"

It's Chris, struggling with his gear on another bench.

"Mind helping me out? I'm not exactly a pro at this."

I sigh. Think positive, Holly. Show some mercy for the uncoordinated.

"Alright, no problem."

I kneel down and show him how to secure his boots.

"And... there you go!" I say, looking up at him.

Only to realize he hasn't been paying attention. At all. He's just been staring at me the whole time.

What? Do I have soup on my face?

Before I know it, he's got his hand around my neck, pulling me toward him.

It's like a slow-mo movie moment. You know, those crucial, split-second moments that change everything?

Except it's not like some romantic scene where the characters rush toward each other to soft music.

No. More like a disaster scene, where the hero tries to avoid the inevitable disaster, screaming with a gaping, distorted mouth, against the background sound of a scratched record.

No. This is more like a disaster scene, where the hero's desperately trying to prevent some epic catastrophe, screaming with a gaping, distorted mouth, against the background sound of a scratched record.

But against all odds, his lips don't even reach mine. Suddenly, the film speeds up.

Next thing I know, Chris is yanked back by his collar and lands on all fours on the shop floor.

"Back off, Snow!" Nick snaps, dark eyes barely masking his fury.

Then I get tugged by my own collar and pushed right out the door.

"Hey, easy! I'm gonna fall with all this gear!"

"Holly Garland!" he growls, sounding just like Lizzie when she's lecturing her kids. "You have a real talent for getting yourself into messy situations—and for driving me insane!"