Wrapped Up for Christmas

by Katlyn Duncan

  A buzzing excitement radiated from the information booth. Angie drew customers in who had come to the booth with questions and made sure they knew where to return with their parcels for wrapping.

  While Angie stacked the donated wrapping paper, bags, and tissue paper into the already cramped booth, the other security guards posted flyers throughout the busier areas of the mall. By the time security was on their way to do the last sweep before maintenance came through to clean, Angie was ready to collapse. Any other day she sat for most of her shift, but with preparations for the event to start, she fell back into a rhythm she only had working at the hotel. Her feet ached, but in the best way.

  During her walk to the car, Angie checked her phone. Several texts from Nick lit up the screen and her heart. He wanted to see how she was doing. Apparently, he had thought about her a lot during the day, which warmed her as if she sat in front of a roaring fireplace. In his texts, he didn’t mention David and his father, so she avoided bringing it up.

  Today was busy for us. But I promise I’ll stop by the booth tomorrow.

  She couldn’t help but smile at the thought of him coming by and seeing what she had created. Nick took an interest in her work, and the promise of seeing him again so soon had lit a spark in her heart.

  ***

  The next morning, Angie went into work earlier than scheduled. As she opened the booth, she spotted a familiar person walking toward her.

  Maya wore a fitted pantsuit which highlighted her thin frame. She still looked like a runner even after all these years.

  ‘Did I miss some paperwork?’ Angie asked, wanting to know why Maya had come down from the offices. Maybe, like Mr Bower, she was there to check on Angie.

  Maya raised an eyebrow. ‘I’m volunteering at the wrapping station. Corporate suggested a few of us take shifts.’

  Did that mean Nick would come by to help too? Angie smiled at the thought, but when she saw Maya’s confused expression, she cleared her throat and pushed Nick from her mind for the time being. Angie had made the schedule and emailed it to Ginger the night before. She hadn’t a chance to check her email yet, so she assumed there were changes including those from corporate.

  If she had to work with Maya, she didn’t want to continue the awkwardness between them. Their rivalry had been years ago, the least they could do was work side-by-side for an hour or so without snarky remarks.

  ‘Great,’ Angie said. ‘I can give you instructions.’

  Maya snorted. ‘Instructions? It doesn’t take a genius to wrap a gift.’

  Angie smiled, trying to keep the mood light. ‘There is an art to it.’ She pulled out an extra sheet from her bag and handed it to Maya.

  The skin around Maya’s lips tightened into a thin line.

  ‘It’s from Bloomfield’s. They let us borrow it for the booth.’

  Maya snatched it from Angie’s hand and stared at it while Angie walked over to the back door of the booth. It was still locked, and Angie reached for her phone to text Stuart. Maya didn’t want to be around Angie by choice, so she would give her some space.

  A few minutes later, Stuart walked toward them. Angie’s leg bounced with anticipation. The mall would open in fifteen minutes, and she couldn’t wait for their first customer.

  Once they were inside the booth, Maya offered to help bring out all the supplies.

  They arranged the table to be the most conducive to wrapping as quickly and efficiently as possible. Angie had high hopes for the station and didn’t want anything to get in the way.

  Maya made suggestions in her curt tone, which were helpful and unhelpful at the same time. Angie hoped her scowl didn’t turn too many people away.

  It wasn’t until Maya spotted another woman approaching the booth that she showed any semblance of a smile.

  ‘Your coffee,’ the woman said, holding two stainless mugs. Her makeup was flawless, and her hair was pulled back in a ponytail that swished as she walked. Her skin was a shade of brown which Angie only achieved in the bright summer sunlight of California. Since she had been home, it faded severely.

  ‘I’m Carrie,’ the woman said. ‘Maya’s assistant.’ Her smile was kind and warm, and Angie wished it was contagious, at least in Maya’s direction.

  ‘Angie,’ Angie said.

  Maya reached for the mug before sipping from the top.

  ‘I brought you one too,’ Carrie said, offering the other one.

  ‘Thank you.’ Angie smiled at the girl’s kindness. Etched into the side of the stainless steel was the Westford Mall logo.

  ‘Do you need anything?’ Carrie asked Maya.

  ‘Not now. Keep your phone on you in case I do,’ Maya said. ‘Feel free to sift through my emails when you get back to the office. I want to enjoy myself tonight at the party.’

  ‘Oh, a Christmas party?’ Angie asked. ‘Where are you going?’

  ‘It’s at the office. Nothing fancy but the food is always good.’

  ‘Sounds fun.’

  Maya narrowed her eyes. ‘It’s corporate only.’

  Angie ignored Maya’s cutting tone and turned to sip from the mug. There was no reason for her to assume that Angie would have invited herself. She briefly considered if Nick would invite her. She tried not to get her hopes up.

  Besides, she had enough to do in preparation for Reese’s baby shower on Sunday, the thought of tagging along to a Christmas party she wasn’t invited to was the last thing on her mind. Tonight, she and her mother were going to make cookies for the shower. Even though Jeremy’s mother said she had it under control, Maria rarely went to anyone’s house without food for the host.

  ‘I got that,’ Angie said.

  ‘I have your Secret Santa gift too,’ Carrie said, holding out a book. From the shirtless guy and girl with the wind-swept hair on the cover, it looked like a steamy romance. The not-safe-for-work kind.

  Maya picked at the price tag on the back and peeled it off as she spoke. ‘Paula will love that. She’s always reading those during her lunch break. I mean that’s why they made eBooks right?’

  ‘It’s one of the newer ones of the author she reads. I checked. Do you think you can wrap it?’ Carrie asked, glancing at all the supplies. ‘I mean, while we’re down here.’

  ‘It will be good practice,’ Angie said.

  Maya tapped her fingers along the cover of the book. ‘I don’t need practice. I know how to wrap a gift.’

  Carrie gave Angie a secret smile, and Angie knew she liked this girl already.

  While Maya wrapped, Angie pretended not to see her checking the instructions she gave her.

  Angie looked around, hoping that customers would show up. Now that the time had come, her talents were on display. She had the opportunity to prove her worth to her bosses and herself.

  Chapter 16

  Nick had planned David’s delivery of the table around their dad’s schedule so that they could avoid bumping into each other in the same building. But when David called Nick immediately after he left, Nick wasn’t sure where he had gone wrong.

  ‘It says he’s out of the office,’ Nick said, staring at the calendar on his computer.

  ‘I don’t know,’ David said. ‘It was like he had a purpose for coming down there. Like he was looking for a fight with me. It was brutal.’ The sound of David’s truck roaring to life drowned his words.

  ‘He was supposed to be out for most of the afternoon at meetings,’ Nick said. ‘It was a perfect time for you to come by.’ He hadn’t seen his father come back to the office, so maybe he had taken a detour on the way out. Sometimes he liked to surprise the employees by stopping by, but not on a day when his schedule was so packed.

  ‘Angie was there too,’ David said.

  Nick rubbed a hand over his face. ‘I bet she was mortified.’

  ‘It wasn’t great. You know Dad.’

  When David first called him, Nick had hoped Angie missed the heated conversation. But he wasn’t that lucky. She probably thought the worst of his father.
He had a rough exterior to those who didn’t know him.

  ‘I wish she didn’t have to see that,’ David continued. ‘It’s bad enough he directed his anger at me. I’m used to his moods, but she had no idea what was coming.’

  Nick hated that Angie’s first impression was his father at his worst. Any interaction between David and their father twisted into the wound of their fractured relationships. Deep down, Quinn loved David, but his disappointment trumped any feelings he could show to his eldest son.

  ‘You might want to figure out what you and Angie are,’ David said. ‘If Dad didn’t suspect anything yet, he might now.’

  Nick had to keep the two of them apart. He considered the wreckage if she knew his dad didn’t approve of anyone but Ivy. He wanted to see her soon to let her know how sorry he was about his father’s behavior.

  With the plan to see her during their break, he texted Angie to confirm.

  Her response came within a few seconds.

  I’m going to stay here for my break. I want to make sure everything runs smoothly. Hope you understand?

  Nick sighed and typed several responses before he settled on one.

  Okay. Will text you later.

  He debated inviting Angie to the staff party, but neither of them was ready for another confrontation with his father. Nick hoped she still liked him, even with his family drama.

  His father wasn’t in the office the rest of the day, as his schedule dictated. And there would be no time to talk to him tonight at the party about it. His father wasn’t going to get off that easily, but Nick dreaded their upcoming discussion.

  ***

  Nick pushed through his workload to distract himself. His father arrived at the office in time to inspect the food brought in from a local catering company. Nick happened to be in the hallway at the same time.

  Quinn met his eyes, and Nick knew he was in for something.

  ‘My office,’ Quinn said and turned on his heel.

  Maya let out a low whistle, and Nick brushed her off. She had spent the morning with Angie. Other than asking how the table went – slow was her answer – then how Angie was handling it – fine – Nick didn’t push her any further, but he hoped for Angie to succeed.

  When Nick walked inside, Quinn stood by the window staring out. The sun set on the other side of the building, giving enough darkness in the room for Nick to see his dad’s reflection.

  Nick closed the door without being asked. ‘Dad, I talked to David.’ He wanted this conversation over as quickly as possible. Since the rest of the staff weren’t headed home anytime soon, they would have an audience outside his office.

  ‘Glad to hear you two stay in touch.’

  ‘You know we do.’

  ‘Yes, but I didn’t think you would mix him with work.’

  ‘He’s helping with an event which will benefit the mall. Why would I turn that down?’

  ‘You could have rented a table.’

  ‘Cutting into the budget.’ Quinn was always a stickler for budgeting. He should have been proud that Nick thought about that. ‘What were you doing down there anyway?’

  ‘Oh, so you were trying to keep this from me? Sneak around on my out of office day?’

  That was the plan. ‘He donated a table for the event.’

  ‘This is why I tried to bring you and Ivy together.’

  ‘What are you talking about?’

  ‘Don’t think I didn’t notice you and that woman at the tree lighting ceremony. She works for us too. What are you thinking? You can’t date her.’

  ‘I’m not dating her.’ At least not technically. The moment she was ready to, he would be too.

  ‘I don’t know what it is about you two.’

  ‘Me and Angie?’

  ‘No, David.’

  They were back to David. His dad must have been upset as he was bouncing between thoughts quicker than Nick could keep up. He wondered if his father saw David in him now that there was a woman in his life who he didn’t choose for his son. He wasn’t about to quit his job. Unlike David, he liked it.

  ‘Dad, I’m not going to do what he did. But I have to live my own life. Ivy is nice, but she’s—’

  ‘She’s what? Too successful? Too attractive? What is it, son? What has this other woman done to you?’

  ‘Please leave Angie out of this. This is between you and me.’

  ‘That’s the problem, Nicholas. You’re always thinking with your heart instead of your head.’

  ‘Is that so bad?’

  ‘Ask David.’

  Nick’s mouth clamped shut. He wasn’t getting anywhere with his dad today. If they kept going, one of them might end up saying words they regretted. They still had to host a Christmas party for the employees. He didn’t need the extra awkwardness. ‘I’m going out there. It would be nice for company morale if you perked up a bit.’

  His dad turned around and flashed a smile. The one that graced his biography on the corporate website. ‘I know when to keep up appearances.’

  Nick left the office, his mind whirring. Quinn’s whole life was an appearance, at least to his employees. Nick wished he could get it through to his father that life was short, and he should try to let go of things that didn’t matter. Like his one-sided fight against David. His kids weren’t getting any younger, and Nick wouldn’t be any happier with the woman his dad chose for him. His effect on his family had far-reaching ripples, and they were only getting bigger.

  Nick always liked the Christmas party, but this year he wasn’t feeling the spirit as much as he would have liked. Nick wanted to be anywhere but there. Then to make matters worse, ten minutes into the party Ivy and the Kents walked out of the elevator. Nick skirted into one of the cubicles and sat in Maya’s chair, taking a moment to himself. Of course, his father had invited them, which made Nick even guiltier. He should have been there with Angie, even if his dad was going to make it awkward. He wanted to be with her and show her off to everyone. But with Angie on his father’s radar, Nick had no idea what to expect from him.

  ‘Are you going to hide here all night?’ Maya balanced a glass of champagne on the divider.

  Nick peered over the top to locate his parents and the Kents. ‘Maybe.’

  ‘I don’t like to get into people’s personal lives, but you are sitting at my desk. So, I have a right to ask why you are hiding.’

  Nick straightened his tie. ‘I needed a break.’

  ‘After that argument with your dad?’

  Nick didn’t need to ask if she heard. Her office was close enough, and she had an uncanny ability to sneak around. The head of HR knew a lot of secrets and drama from the employees at the mall. Nick didn’t like being a part of that group.

  ‘Listen, it’s not a big deal. No one else cares. We all know he can be a little over the top with you.’

  It wasn’t because Nick was his son. Quinn had envisioned David taking over, not Nick. For some reason, his father never wanted Nick to forget that. At least that was what it felt like from the outside.

  ‘Have a good time, Maya,’ Nick said, walking away from her. The sooner he talked to Ivy and her family, the sooner he could leave the party.

  Nick planned to see Angie tomorrow. Technically, he was off but would come into work for the morning. He wasn’t directly involved with the scavenger hunt throughout the mall, but it was the perfect excuse to see her. He knew she was swamped with gift-wrapping and her job, but he also knew she’d do it all with a big smile on her face. Stopping by for a quick hello wouldn’t do any harm. If anything, it would bring him the real happiness he found so hard to muster for the party.

  ***

  With Maya’s warning that the gift-wrapping booth was slow going, Nick wasn’t sure what to expect when he arrived at the mall the next morning. It was late enough into her shift that Angie had been at work for a bit, and the scavenger hunt was in full swing.

  Nick held a small paper bag in his hands, unsure of why he was so nervous about giving it to Angie. On the w
ay to Angie, he dodged the more eager participants who sprinted down the walkways toward the next stop on their list.

  A crowd stood outside the booth. The line wasn’t moving at all as it snaked around the booth.

  Angie and two others stood side by side at the table, their hands moving quickly as they cut, folded, and taped presents for the waiting customers. Another volunteer walked down the line, collecting money, and counting presents. Everyone had a smile on their faces.

  An employee from the Smoothie Shack handed out small cups of samples and pretzels.

  Nick approached the booth and stood at the end of the line, watching Angie work. She hadn’t noticed his arrival. Angie’s wide smile never left her face as she handed over the presents to those waiting. Some had bags of gifts, and Nick wondered if they should have anticipated a big turnout, especially on the weekend with an event in progress.

  As Nick approached, he caught Angie’s eye. She smiled, and he was finally able to draw in a breath.

  ‘Do you need that wrapped?’ Angie asked as she finished with her customer. She thanked them for coming before starting on the next.

  ‘I do,’ he said.

  A woman in line cut a look his way.

  He held his hands up in surrender. ‘I’m going to wait for my turn, though.’

  Angie shook her head, laughing. It was impressive to see her under pressure and keeping a smile on her face.

  Nick’s phone pinged, and he grunted, catching another look from the woman in front of him.

  He didn’t want to answer it, but then he got another text notification, then a phone call.

  ‘Are you going to get that?’ the woman asked with one thin eyebrow raised.

  Angie was talking to the next customer as she helped pick out the wrapping paper for the gifts. She was distracted enough that he could answer his dad. He was the only person who emailed, texted, and called if Nick didn’t answer his messages in seconds. Pop-ups for two more meetings appeared on his screen. Quinn wanted to confirm he had received them, but Nick knew his dad was spying. Nick texted back.