Wrapped Up for Christmas

by Katlyn Duncan

  ‘What can I get ya?’ the guy inside the truck asked.

  Angie glanced at Nick.

  ‘You choose,’ he said.

  ‘Two of the specials,’ she said.

  They walked over to the teenage girl handling the money. Nick paid and Angie didn’t protest. She wouldn’t win that argument anyway. He had a lot to make up to her.

  ‘Did you go to events like this in California?’ he asked.

  ‘I wish,’ she said. ‘Work tends to take over around this season.’

  ‘I know how that is.’

  The man handed over two paper boats filled with pasta, and the meatball was almost the size of Nick’s fist.

  Angie grabbed several napkins from the small condiment table off to the side. She dumped grated parmesan cheese on top of her food. ‘You want some?’

  He held out his food, and she covered it with a thick layer.

  ‘My mom hates when I put cheese all over everything,’ she said, grinning as if she were a child pouring sugar over her meal. ‘But it adds to the flavor. She doesn’t understand me and my relationship with cheese.’

  As they made their way back to the tree, they dug into the food. ‘I don’t think I’m going to make it through this season without sizing up,’ she said. ‘Between my mom’s cooking and Christmas desserts.’

  ‘You can always come jogging with Charlie and me. If you want.’

  ‘I would, but I’m not much of a runner anymore. After all these years, I doubt I could keep up.’

  ‘We can walk,’ Nick said.

  ‘I’d like that.’ Her smile moved him. She wanted to spend time with him too.

  ‘I like this,’ Nick said, savoring the meatball.

  ‘It’s pretty good,’ Angie said. ‘The pasta is incredible, though. My nonna used to make homemade linguini like this.’ Her eyes fluttered closed. ‘So. Good.’

  ‘Does she not cook now?’ Nick asked.

  ‘She does, but her wrists are weaker than they used to be. All the rolling and turning the crank bothers her. Not that she would ever admit it.’

  ‘The lighting ceremony will start in ten minutes,’ a voice boomed. It belonged to Ruben Hoyt, one of the local news anchors who always presided events like this one. Nick recalled his voice muffled through his office windows each year before.

  ‘Let’s sit over here,’ Nick said.

  The fountain in front of the mall had a small ledge around it. There was just enough room for them to sit. Nick became aware of how close she was to him. He wanted to get closer, but it wasn’t the time or place. He needed Angie to know how much he felt for her, and he’d try hard to keep her with him.

  Angie dug her fork into the meatball, making smaller pieces. Nick couldn’t take his eyes off her. He thought about the regrets she had mentioned before. He regretted not opening up to her sooner about his job, but with her sitting next to him, there was no reason for it at all. Everything had worked out for them. Now all they needed to do was look toward the future.

  ‘This is a lot messier than I realized,’ Angie said with a laugh. She arranged the napkins on her lap and handed one over to him.

  A smudge of red sauce appeared at the corner of her lip. Nick lifted his napkin. ‘You have a little sauce there.’

  Angie licked the wrong side of her mouth. ‘Is it gone?’

  ‘Not even close,’ he said, feeling a lump in the back of his throat. If he hadn’t lied to her, he might have kissed it off again just for an excuse. But he had to build her trust again.

  She swallowed and leaned closer. He dabbed the napkin against her cheek.

  ‘There,’ he said.

  Her gaze fell to his lips and immediately transported him back to his apartment when they were in each other’s arms. Even though he was unsure of everything in his life, he was sure he wanted to kiss her again.

  ‘Ladies and gentlemen!’ Ruben’s voice boomed through the loudspeakers.

  Nick jolted, bumping into the woman next to him. She let out a grunt, and he apologized. When he turned back to Angie, her attention was on Ruben. The moment was gone.

  ‘Five minutes until the tree lighting commences!’ Ruben’s voice echoed over the crowd. A stir of movement from those milling closer to the food trucks brought the crowd closer to the tree.

  ‘Do you want to move up?’ Nick asked.

  ‘Sure,’ Angie said.

  When they abandoned their seats, the woman next to them took it as an opportunity to squeeze her and her kids into the space. With the number of people around, Nick stuck close enough to Angie that her hair brushed over his arm. He didn’t move it away. Instead, he left it there, content with the close contact.

  ‘This is so exciting,’ Angie said. ‘I feel like I’m a kid again.’

  Nick took their empty boats and tossed them in the nearby trash can. ‘Me too.’

  A rush of adrenaline erupted within him. He wasn’t sure if it was the excitement feeding from the crowd or being so close to Angie. He guessed it was a bit of both. It was as if he was transported back to when he was a kid and excited about the lights. Or a first crush.

  Nick blinked, and the world went dark for a moment until he realized what happened. The lights from the smaller trees turned off to give the best effect of the tree lighting.

  Angie bumped into him. ‘Sorry.’

  ‘You’re fine.’ She didn’t move, and all Nick could focus on was Angie’s body against his.

  ‘Let’s start the countdown!’ Ruben called. ‘Ten, nine, eight—’

  The voices of everyone around them filled the air and swelled inside of Nick. He chanted the countdown, hearing Angie’s voice in his ears the loudest. He reached out, took her hand. The crowd swallowed her voice as he turned to her. He barely made out her features in the darkness, but when they reached the final number, her face lit up.

  They stared at each other for the quiet moment as everyone took in the display. Then, they turned to the brilliantly lit tree. As if the world exploded around them, everyone cheered, and Angie’s hand squeezed around his.

  ‘It’s so beautiful,’ Angie said.

  Nick looked at her. ‘Yes, it is.’

  Chapter 15

  Since the tree lighting event, Angie was unable to get Nick out of her mind. Their momentary argument from the day before was already a distant memory. With their secrets out in the open, she was able to focus on the real task in front of her.

  Shortly after she’d arrived at the information booth that morning, Ginger called to give her approval of the station. Ginger had no idea Angie and Nick had spent the night at the lighting ceremony together. The thought of him forced her into a memory of how close they were the night before. The lighting had been magical in many ways.

  Reese had gone to bed early the night before. For once, Angie wanted someone to talk to about Nick, but she wasn’t going to bother her friend who barely slept. It was only a matter of time before Angie’s phone would blow up with texts wanting every detail of her date with Nick. It was because of Reese that Angie had gone to the event at all. Reese deserved the juicy details she craved, and Angie didn’t mind reliving them.

  Because of the breakup with Brett, Angie had gone to the lighting unsure of Nick’s true intentions. Reese was right, she did have trust issues, but she hoped that they had begun to fade away a little, and she wanted to work toward gaining her confidence back.

  Angie wasn’t sure she could safely say she and Nick were just friends anymore. He’d wanted more from the start, and deep down so had she, but she had been determined to hold back. Brett seemed so long ago now. Angie had embraced the holiday spirit more than previous years, and Nick was a part of that.

  With all that behind her, Angie wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. There she was, about to spearhead a fantastic event for a worthy cause. In the brief time since coming home, she saw her life through a festive and brighter lens.

  A text came in on her phone from Nick.

  Sorry, I can’t be there. David will
head over shortly. x

  Angie focused on the X, realizing she was about to go down a rabbit hole. She typed back a quick ‘OK’ and turned her phone over, sliding it across the desk. It nearly knocked over the pile of the paper presents she had finished during her last shift.

  An email came through on the work computer Angie shared with the security guards. It was only for work-related emails with a restrictive internet capability, but the email was all she needed. Ginger had secured donations from the paper goods store and Bloomfield’s for wrapping supplies.

  Angie lifted the large banner she had made earlier that morning. She had channeled her inner child complete with red and green marker with glittery drawn presents on the bottom. It was big enough to hang from the front of the booth for all passing mall patrons to see. Ginger didn’t have much of a budget to advertise, but she did mention she would put it on the website and all their social media accounts. Angie hoped this wasn’t for nothing, and the confidence from Nick and the corporate office meant that she didn’t want to let them down.

  ***

  As her shift ended, Angie spotted two men wheeling the table towards her. Her heart raced with anticipation. When her dad was alive, he used to love to take her antique shopping. He had said there was nothing better than items crafted by hand. Even from that distance, she could tell it was an exquisite work of craftmanship. It looked like it belonged in Santa’s workshop and it certainly fit the theme of the event.

  Angie couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed that Nick wasn’t with his brother, but the table idea had been last minute. He was busy this time of year, and that was something Angie understood. She hoped he would come by at some point.

  David and Jesse – a guy from the maintenance team – set the table down as Angie exited the booth. When David turned around, Angie noticed his chiseled features. She wasn’t sure what she had expected of Nick’s brother. David had the same color hair as Nick, and just then he swiped it off his forehead. His shoulders seemed more relaxed than his younger brother, though the playfulness in his expression matched Nick’s. Nick had said David chose a career he loved, and it was clear in how he treated the table as he inspected it.

  ‘This is beautiful,’ Angie said, holding her hand out to David. ‘I’m Angie.’

  David smiled, and a wave of familiarity moved through her. The reminder of how her feelings had shifted for Nick created a swirling sensation in her gut.

  ‘It’s nice to meet you. And thank you. The table is one of Nick’s favorite pieces. I always wondered how he would get it out of my workshop,’ David said. ‘It only took you to do it.’

  Angie wasn’t sure what to make of that. She tried not to overthink it as Jesse gave both of them a wave before driving the skid away. She circled around the table, inspecting it. The top was smooth, even though the deep grooves of the wood were still present. ‘I’m not sure if Nick told you, but I’m happy to promote your business too. Do you have cards?’

  David handed a stack over. ‘Thanks for that. My business relies on word of mouth.’

  ‘Thank you for offering the table.’

  ‘Sorry Nick couldn’t come,’ David said. ‘Work during this season is crazy for him. But I know you two are getting close.’

  Angie cleared the catch in her throat. ‘He told you about me?’

  David chuckled a warm sound which was familiar to her. Even if Nick wasn’t there, David kept him firmly in place in her mind. ‘I’ve never seen him go out and get a Christmas tree on his own.’

  ‘The topper,’ Angie said, remembering the beautiful wooden star on top of the tree. ‘That was you. It’s gorgeous. You’re incredibly talented.’

  David smiled, but it had a hint of a wince. ‘Yes, I made that a while ago.’

  The heat in her cheeks surged. Had she said something wrong? Was she not supposed to know it was from him? She had the urge to crawl under the table and hide.

  ‘Well, I should get going,’ David said. ‘I have a few more deliveries today.’

  ‘It was nice to meet you,’ Angie said.

  ‘You too. Hopefully I’ll see you soon.’

  Angie was unable to hide a smile from him. Was he giving a subtle hint of an invite to see him again, or was he just being polite? She couldn’t help but wonder how much Nick had told him.

  A tall, graying man in an expensive suit walked toward them with the kind of purpose she had seen before in male shoppers. They preferred coming to the mall to get what they needed before fleeing as if the building would swallow them whole. As he neared, she recognized him from the corporate office. He was Nick and David’s father.

  Her stomach swooped, but she was determined to make a good impression. Nick had done that with her family, and he deserved the same.

  ‘Hi there,’ she said, but Mr Bower only had a curt nod and a darting glance for her.

  ‘Dad,’ David said, standing up straighter.

  Mr Bower’s jaw clenched even more, if that was possible. Angie was glad to get his eyes away from her, but she knew neither of them expected to see each other. What a strange coincidence his father would come down while David was at the mall. Had Nick set this up?

  Mr Bower glared at the table. ‘What is all of this?’

  ‘This is my table, Dad. I’m helping Nick with the gift-wrapping station.’

  Mr Bower didn’t even glance at the table.

  ‘We don’t need your help,’ Mr Bower said.

  ‘It’s a beautiful piece,’ Angie said, hoping to diffuse the situation. Maybe Mr Bower didn’t realize David had made the table.

  ‘This is none of your concern,’ he said to her.

  ‘Dad,’ David said in a warning tone.

  The relationship between her and Nick was new, but if it were to go anywhere, she didn’t want his father to have a negative impression of her.

  ‘I didn’t mean to step in,’ Angie said. She glanced at David. There was nothing official about their relationship just yet, so she went with the safe option.

  Mr Bower turned his steely gaze on her. ‘You were in my office yesterday.’

  ‘Yes, I was. Sorry, we didn’t get to meet officially. I’m Angie. I know your son. Nick and I are friends.’

  Neither David nor Mr Bower spoke.

  ‘I was the one to suggest the gift-wrapping station,’ she said.

  ‘I didn’t know you were going to be here,’ Mr Bower said to David, completely ignoring Angie. ‘I came down to check on my employees.’

  ‘Dad, I—’ David started.

  ‘This isn’t the time. I’m working,’ Mr Bower snapped.

  ‘When will it be a good time?’ David asked. ‘We can get coffee and catch up? I can reschedule my other deliveries.’

  ‘You know the answer to that,’ Mr Bower said, glancing at Angie.

  Angie had no place standing there, yet she couldn’t lift her feet from their spot. If she dared move, she wasn’t sure how Mr Bower would react. His neck started to turn red and she tried not to stare at the scarlet creeping across his skin.

  Mr Bower’s chin lifted at his son as if challenging him to say something.

  Angie’s heart broke for David. From all the memories Nick had shared about his brother, and in their short meeting, Angie liked him already. Now, he seemed like a younger version of himself as his father reprimanded him. Nick had said his dad was hard to deal with, but Angie couldn’t imagine this man raising Nick and David. His cold shoulder was sharper than an icicle.

  ‘I have to go,’ Mr Bower said.

  ‘Of course, you do.’ David’s smile disappeared, replaced with a scowl. At least she saw the family resemblance.

  ‘This isn’t the time or place,’ Mr Bower said.

  ‘Will there ever be one?’ David asked. ‘Do you even want to meet your grandkids?’

  Mr Bower’s lips pinched together but he said nothing as he turned on his heel, walking in the same direction from where he came.

  David stood there, staring after him. ‘Sorry about that.
’

  ‘Don’t be,’ Angie said.

  David turned to her. ‘He wanted me to be someone I wasn’t, and my family is paying the price.’

  Angie opened her mouth to speak, but David shook his head. ‘I should get going.’

  ‘Thanks again,’ Angie said at a loss for comforting words. David seemed as if he was done talking about it too.

  ‘Have a good Christmas,’ David said before walking away. His easygoing smile had disappeared, and he stared in the direction where his father had gone before trudging away.

  Angie sagged against the table as the weight of their conversation washed over her. She hadn’t been involved but seeing that type of family conflict was enough to exhaust anyone.

  ***

  Setting up the gift-wrapping station distracted her from the awkward conversation she’d had with Mr Bower. She hoped he wouldn’t return.

  Instead, she focused on preparing for the event. A mall-wide email went out to employees, asking for volunteers. Angie was optimistic about raising as much money as possible, but she still had a job to do and only so many hours in the day. The more people involved, the more likely the word would spread and bring more customers to the booth.

  While she waited for responses, she thought of David, which brought a wave of sadness through her. Nick hadn’t prepared her for a confrontation between his father and brother. It was unlike anything she expected. Angie had no idea if she should mention it to Nick the next time she saw him. She wouldn’t win any points by gossiping to him about his family. David’s hurt expression plagued her mind. She hoped Nick would be able to ease the pain for his brother. Ultimately, she decided to stay out of it. When she saw Nick next, she’d see what David had told him first, if anything.

  Even though her shift was over, Angie hung around the booth to continue with set up for the wrapping station. She already had about ten volunteers to schedule into the malls’ extended holiday hours. From Bloomfield’s manager, she borrowed the instructions on how to perfectly wrap a gift. It had been posted in the gift-wrapping section all those years ago, and it was a strange sort of nostalgia to hold it again. Angie encouraged the volunteers to practice at home with their own Christmas gifts and come ready to work and wrap.