Page 54 of The Best Christmas Choir Ever

“It’s true. I am quite fond of Doris.” Julian’s eyes dropped to her lips, and for a long moment Charlie thought he might kiss her like he had the other day in his office.

“I can do pizza and beer,” she said.

“That’ll work. See you tonight.”

Charlie trapped a sneeze behind her hand, rubbing at her watery eyes.

She needed to get out of this horrible basement and the avalanche of dust that had accumulated. Now she was almost glad the charity had refused to move the furniture out of the basement, because the last thing she needed was some poor old men tripping over antique rugs or choking on dust bunnies.

Charlie abandoned the basement for some fresh air, coughing as she sat down in the recliner in Gram’s living room. She picked up her phone as it started buzzing in her pocket. “Hey.”

“How goes the furniture situation?” Alicia asked.

“Currently locked in a stalemate. I’ve at least managed to unbury the couch, but that’s as far as I’m getting on my own.”

“Did you underestimate how heavy everything was?”

“That and how awkwardly shaped. I couldn’t even get the side tables up the stairs on my own because I couldn’t get my arms around them enough to get a grip.”

“Have you abandoned that project for today then?”

“No, Julian actually offered to come over and help me. He’s swinging by after work, and we’re going to get the big stuff out of the basement. I’m just waiting on him now.”

Alicia’s tone shifted. “Horribly handsome Julian, huh?”

Charlie groaned. “Don’t say it like that.”

“Like what?”

“You know.”

Alicia laughed.

“Stop. He’s doing me a favor.”

“Like the favor he did for you in the community center?” Alicia asked. She’d practically blown out the phone speakers when Charlie told her what they’d done.

“No, that is not the kind of favor I’m talking about.” Charlie touched her cheek, glad Alicia couldn’t see how red her face was turning. “As he pointed out, he actually owed me a favor since I’m such a gracious volunteer choir director.”

“Speaking of the choir,” Alicia said. “I watched that video you sent me of their performance at the community center.”

“Cute, right? They’re actually going to be on the news soon. We just did a little interview.”

“I sent the video to some colleagues. A few of them had already seen it.”

Charlie climbed to her feet. “I think it has something crazy like one hundred thousand views now.” She cleared some boxes out of the hall to make space between the basement and the front door.

“Your name is starting to circulate,” Alicia said. “People are interested in this little feel-good story, which could be very good career-wise.”

Charlie frowned. “I’m not trying to capitalize for a career move.”

“I know that,” Alicia said. “I’m just saying, there’s some buzz. Have you had a chance to look at any of the emails I sent you?”

“Er… I’ve glanced at a couple,” Charlie said, biting down on the lie. The thought of taking on any kind of role made her more uncomfortable than usual, and not just because of Tom. She needed to see if this choir competition panned out so she could figure out when she could actually leave Elm Springs. Until she knew that, what was the point of looking at any of the emails?

“Okay, well, I’ve got to run to a meeting, but keep me posted. And I’ll let you know if I come across anything that I think will intrigue you. Talk later?”

“Sure thing. Bye,” Charlie said, getting back to work and trying not to feel guilty about blowing off Alicia’s emails. The timing just wasn’t right. But soon… Maybe.