Wrapped Up for Christmas

by Katlyn Duncan

‘Is there anything else work-related we can do?’ Nick asked, piercing his salad with a fork.

  Quinn sighed and turned the computer screen around. ‘I wanted to go over the reports from this morning. There was an error in your review.’

  Nick pulled the laptop closer. ‘I checked it twice.’

  ‘Looks like whoever that girl is is no good for you,’ Quinn said to his salad. ‘Distractions.’

  Nick ignored the comment and scanned the screen. Quinn had highlighted the error in red. To sift out the location of the issue, Nick would have to go through the entire spreadsheet. It was as if his dad knew Nick was meeting Angie later.

  In any case, Nick wasn’t going to allow his father to deter him.

  After two hours and a forced apology to his dad for the error, Nick figured out the problem in the reports. He worked on as much as he could on his to-do list and turned off his computer around five. Somehow, he avoided a second confrontation with his father and left the office without delay.

  ***

  Nick picked up a package at the front desk of his building before heading up to his apartment. Once he was on his floor, he called David.

  ‘Thanks for bringing this by,’ Nick said, opening the door.

  Charlie’s black nose pushed through the small crack between the threshold and door. Her body weaseled through and into the hallway. Her tail thumped against the back of his leg.

  ‘No problem,’ David said through the phone. ‘It was collecting dust in my workshop anyway. It makes me happy to see it on a tree. No matter whose.’

  Nick balanced the wooden box in his hand as he greeted Charlie and pushed through into his apartment. ‘Hey Char-Char.’

  ‘Sorry, I couldn’t meet you. I had a few deliveries this morning.’ David went on about an older client of his who insisted on helping him bring a refurbished armoire into his house to surprise his wife.

  While listening, Nick headed toward the focal point of the room. The tree. He flipped on the white lights and they glittered off every surface. He had spent most of Sunday figuring out the perfect spot for the tree after lugging it upstairs and into its brand-new stand. Even though he had been covered in sap and had to clean the trail of pine needles, his accomplishments filled him with a warmth he hadn’t experienced for a long time. And that was all to do with Angie.

  ‘Glad to hear business is doing well.’

  ‘You’re not the only one who understands the holiday rush.’

  Nick gave the tree one more appraising glance before heading into the kitchen to feed Charlie. ‘You’re the only one who does.’

  ‘Why did you need a tree topper anyway?’

  ‘Remember I told you about that woman I had lunch with the other day, Angie?’

  ‘The one you met at the café?’

  ‘Yeah, she helped me pick out the tree yesterday. I asked her to help me decorate tonight, and she said yes.’

  David chuckled. ‘Good for you, man.’ He paused for a moment. ‘Is it serious? The other day it didn’t seem like it. Unless you played it down.’

  ‘I asked her out, but she said she didn’t want to date right now. Bad breakup, I guess. But there’s something about her. She offered to help with the tree, and I couldn’t say no.’

  ‘Well, you went tree shopping with a woman. She must be special.’

  ‘She speaks her mind. I like that about her. She grew up in this area too.’

  ‘While I’m happy for you, I don’t think you should get your hopes up if she’s not interested.’

  ‘I don’t have my hopes up. What’s wrong with spending time with her?’

  ‘Nothing, but I know you.’

  ‘You do, do you?’

  Charlie bumped Nick’s hand, her nose searching for a scratch.

  ‘You always jump at the opportunity to date a pretty woman,’ David said. ‘You go all in too quickly.’

  Nick thought of Ivy. ‘Not necessarily. I forgot to tell you that Dad set me up on a blind date with one of his college friends’ daughters. We’ve decided to be friends, but Dad is hung up on it for some reason.’

  ‘It wouldn’t be the first time he did that.’

  ‘What are you talking about?’

  ‘Dad tried that after I told him about Theresa. Her name was Cait. It didn’t work out well for either of them.’

  This was news to Nick. It made sense, though, at least in his father’s mindset. He had been working Nick harder.

  ‘Do you think Dad thinks I’m going to leave the company too?’

  ‘Who knows, but we both know he’s not above doing whatever he wants and pushing others aside.’

  Nick swallowed hard. The uncertainty in Dad’s relationship with David always kept them walking on eggshells.

  ‘But you like Angie?’ David asked in an attempt to change the subject.

  ‘When I’m around her, I don’t want to be anywhere else.’

  ‘Sounds like you’ve got it bad for her.’

  As much as he would have loved to start something new with her, an expiration date loomed over them. ‘She’s only here for a short amount of time. She said she didn’t want anything more and I’m okay with that.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Considering she’s working a temporary job at the mall, yeah.’

  ‘Wait, I thought you met her at the café?’

  Nick cleared his throat and explained her situation.

  ‘I’m not sure it’s a great idea for you to start something with someone who works for you.’

  Nick slid a glance at the tree. ‘Not for me, exactly.’

  ‘Did you hire her to work for Westford Malls?’

  ‘Technically, Maya did.’

  David paused, and Nick already knew what he was going to ask next. ‘Does she know you’re her boss?’

  ‘I’m not her boss, David.’

  ‘In a way, you are. You didn’t answer my question.’

  Nick didn’t want to hear his brother as his conscience. ‘It hasn’t come up.’

  ‘Your job hasn’t come up,’ David repeated slowly, sounding out each word. The echo boomed in Nick’s mind as quickly as his heart raced. ‘I thought you two were getting close? What am I missing here?’

  ‘Well, it didn’t come up at first. When I met Angie the second time, she mentioned applying for a job at the mall. I didn’t want her to think I got the job for her.’

  ‘Did you?’

  ‘Not at all. She interviewed with Maya. It was Maya’s choice to fill that position.’

  ‘You said she had a bad breakup. Did this guy lie to her?’

  Nick hesitated. ‘It’s not the same thing.’ Though it was. He had been her boss too. A dull ache radiated at the back of his throat.

  ‘I’m not an expert at dating,’ David said. ‘But you’re straddling a fine line. I think you should at least tell her you work in the corporate office. These things always come back. It’s better to be honest.’

  Nick sighed. ‘It’s complicated. I know I should say something, but how do I tell her without making it seem as if I lied on purpose?’

  ‘That’s up to you. But I would recommend doing it soon. Stretching this out isn’t going to end well for you.’

  The idea had lingered in Nick’s mind since Angie got the job. It was better for her to find out through him than someone else.

  ‘I hate to say it, but Dad might be right about Ivy. She at least knows where you work if Dad set it up. He probably told her all of your accomplishments.’

  Nick ignored the sarcasm in his brother’s voice. It wasn’t his fault since it had happened to him in the past. At every party, Dad boasted about his eldest son’s accomplishments. Yet he had never mentioned a word about David’s side projects until it became more than a hobby.

  ‘Listen, I need to get this place ready.’ Nick wanted to move away from his personal life.

  ‘Fine, little brother. But take my advice.’

  ‘I will,’ Nick said, mulling over how it could come up in conversation.


  ‘Have a good time tonight.’

  David hung up and Nick opened the wooden box his brother had made for Mom almost three years ago. Nick had tried to deliver the tree topper to her that Christmas. Once Dad found out it was from David, he refused the gift for her. Since then, the box collected dust in the corner of David’s workshop as a reminder to him about the jagged rift in their family.

  Nick lifted the wooden star from the box. It was light in his hands, with exquisite detailing in the wood. It was one of his favorite pieces from David. Too bad their father had to put a stain on its memory.

  Nick stepped onto the chair and reached up. Somehow Angie had picked the perfect height for the tree since the top of the star stood a few inches from the ceiling.

  He had an hour until Angie’s arrival. Nick had planned it not to be a date since that was what she wanted. But there was no reason he couldn’t order food for the two of them while they worked on the Christmas tree.

  Nick had asked about her favorite takeout. Angie said she loved sushi, so he ordered a variety of hand rolls for dinner.

  Shedding his suit, Nick went for a casual look with jeans and a red sweater. He might as well get into the festive spirit while decorating a tree.

  The doorbell rang, and Nick hesitated as Charlie bolted for the door, sniffing at the bottom. He released a breath and walked as slowly as he could to the door. He opened it and came face to face with the delivery guy. Disappointment deflated him, but he didn’t have to wait long before Angie arrived.

  The next time the doorbell rang, Charlie raced him. But for once, Nick beat her to it.

  Chapter 11

  Nick’s building was a lot nicer than Angie imagined. It was in the center of downtown in one of the older, renovated ones. She hadn’t been down that area much since she’d returned home and, if she were honest with herself, she was apprehensive about going to Nick’s place. Now, seeing where he lived made her want to fake an illness and postpone indefinitely. It wasn’t fair for her to compare him to Brett, but there was something about the way Nick carried himself, with an air of confidence and authority that she couldn’t help but associate with her former boyfriend.

  Angie wasn’t sure what to expect when she checked the address for the tenth time before walking through the opulent lobby, but if she was being frank, she felt intimidated by his wealth, just like she had with Brett. She tried not to judge him for it, but it was hard.

  The comparison to Brett skewed her vision of him and it wasn’t fair. Nick had been nothing but kind to her, he seemed down to earth and not at all like Brett. Yet as she rode the elevator to the eighth floor, she placed them side by side in her mind. Brett had always been one to flaunt his money while Nick didn’t. Money wasn’t the root of all evil, but she’d come close enough with Brett to harbor a burning sensation each time she thought of being with another man with any similarities.

  When she reached his floor, she wandered to the last door. Nick wasn’t Brett, she determined. Besides, they weren’t dating.

  Angie knocked on the door, and it swung open seconds later. Nick stood there, and a fluttering filled her. A wet, black nose filled the palm of her hand. Her heart swelled, and she knelt to pet Charlie.

  ‘Hi, girl,’ she cooed while Charlie sniffed her sweater and jeans. Her mom had cooked up a storm earlier for a holiday party at the club. Charlie seemed to enjoy the menu of scents wafting from her clothes.

  ‘Charlie,’ Nick said, with a grin and snap of his fingers. ‘Can we let her get through the door?’

  Charlie dutifully walked to Nick’s side and sat. Her tail swished over the hardwood floors.

  ‘Come on in,’ Nick said with a smile. ‘Sorry, she gets excited about guests.’

  ‘No need to apologize,’ Angie said, walking into his place.

  Angie pushed thoughts of Brett aside as she took in the apartment. The lights were dim, forcing the tree to draw her to the center of the room. Behind it was an unobstructed view of downtown and beyond. The ceilings were high, as he had said at the nursery. It made the space seem even bigger. It was an open floor with the living area, kitchen, and dining space all accessible. Down a small hallway to her left were several doors most likely leading to the bedrooms. She wondered how many.

  Angie waited for her memory to place Brett there too. But when she was with Nick, no one else entered her mind.

  ‘Nice place,’ she said.

  ‘It was one of the only apartment buildings which allowed dogs,’ Nick said, scratching Charlie’s head. From the upward tilt of her chin, she loved it. ‘I think I would have paid anything to make sure she had a home.’

  Angie walked into the apartment, taking in the space. She missed having her own place where she could experience peace at the end of the day. She would get there soon enough.

  At least she hoped.

  ‘The tree looks great,’ she said, inhaling the fresh pine scent.

  ‘The lights took a while.’ Nick chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. ‘But I think it came out okay.’

  ‘You don’t give yourself enough credit. I think lights are the hardest part.’

  ‘Are you hungry?’ Nick asked, heading over to the large dining table. Two paper bags sat on top.

  Angie wondered how often he entertained guests. She had the urge to know more about him now that she was in his space. ‘Starving.’

  ***

  After eating the most delicious sushi she had in a while, Angie wandered toward the tree and lifted the top of the ornament box. Thin crinkled slices of paper filled the space between the delicate ornaments. Maria and Emilia decorated with the most beautiful pieces, but Angie had forgotten these. They threw her back to the past, a consistent theme in her new life.

  ‘A lot of these are from my nonna’s tree,’ Angie realized.

  ‘Now I feel a huge responsibility,’ Nick said, pulling another one out.

  Angie leaned closer with the most serious expression she could muster. ‘You should. You don’t want her knocking on your door after you return them. She probably has every nook and cranny memorized.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Somehow, she always remembers when I screwed up as a kid. I broke one when I was younger, and she still hasn’t forgiven me.’ She concealed a teasing smile.

  Nick hung the ornament on one of the middle branches. It was so lonely that Angie rushed over to add hers.

  ‘You don’t seem like the “screw up” type,’ he said.

  ‘Not until high school. My friend Reese and I used to do some pretty crazy stuff.’

  ‘Like what?’

  Angie shrugged. ‘Sneak out. Party.’

  Nick raised an eyebrow.

  ‘I’m not saying any more. It might ruin your impression of me. I did calm down quite a bit before college.’

  ‘Who’s to say you didn’t ruin it already?’ Nick asked.

  Angie laughed and swatted at him, missing his arm on purpose. ‘All right. Enough about me. Tell me more about you. I feel like I’ve been talking the entire time we met. Forcing you to pick out a Christmas tree and all that.’

  ‘You didn’t force me. I needed your help. If you didn’t push, then I’d probably have one of those tabletop ones.’

  ‘They’re not a bad choice,’ she said, hanging another ornament, this one a reindeer. ‘But you have enough space for a bigger one, so why not take advantage?’

  Charlie walked up to Angie and sniffed her leg before moving on to the tree.

  Angie dug into Charlie’s fur with her nails. Charlie sat dutifully by her side, her weight resting against her leg. Angie missed having a dog in her life.

  ‘She’ll sit there all night if you let her,’ Nick said.

  ‘I have two hands,’ Angie said, showing Charlie an ornament. ‘Where do you think this one should go?’

  Charlie sniffed the bauble and then turned her head to the tree and sniffed the nearest branch.

  ‘Good idea,’ Angie said, hanging it on the branch Charlie sugge
sted.

  They worked in silence for a few moments. Nick grabbed his phone and started scrolling through.

  ‘Bored already?’ Angie said teasingly, but she was a little worried. She hadn’t wanted anything other than friendship from Nick, but she enjoyed spending time with him. The familiar quiver in her stomach made her want to keep him interested as well.

  ‘Not even close.’ The room filled with tinkling piano in the tune of ‘Silent Night’ and Angie spotted the speaker on the side table. ‘I wanted to add some mood music to the place.’

  Christmas music floated through the room, and Angie hummed along as she grabbed the next ornament.

  Nick had the same idea, and their hands brushed, sending a buzz of electricity through her.

  ‘Where are you spending the holidays?’ Angie asked, moving away from him toward the box to pick another ornament.

  ‘I’m split between my brother’s and parents.’

  ‘Split?’

  ‘It’s complicated.’

  Angie waited for an explanation before she asked. Families were complicated, so she wasn’t going to push.

  Nick stared through the tree as he spoke. ‘My father wanted my brother to work with him. But David had other plans. Dad is a stubborn man and broke off the relationship completely. He hasn’t even met his grandchildren.’

  ‘That must be hard,’ Angie said.

  ‘It’s not easy,’ Nick said. ‘But David has a great life. Dad has his issues, but Mom and David hurt the most.’

  ‘She doesn’t see them?’

  ‘She does, but she can’t even talk about it with Dad. It complicates things.’

  ‘I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine.’ She couldn’t fathom not speaking to any member of her family for a long period of time. As much as California distanced them, she always sent them texts, cards, or called on holidays and birthdays.

  Nick shrugged. ‘I think Dad will come around eventually, but I hope it won’t be too late.’

  Nick tried hard to keep a small smile on his face, lightening the situation, but Angie could see how tough it was for him.

  Angie reached out, touching his shoulder. ‘I’m sure it feels harder around the holidays.’

  Nick stood close to her. ‘I appreciate you saying that. This season is busy at work. I’m sure Dad doesn’t even notice.’