Page 94 of The Best Christmas Choir Ever

“Sorry,” Julian said, smiling.

Maggie dabbed at her eyes. “So all those visits to Diane’s office demanding she give you a raise finally paid off?”

“Looks like it,” Julian said. “And that’s not all.”

Maggie huffed. “Julian, I don’t know if I can handle any more news.”

“I have one more update,” he said.

“A good one?” Harriet asked suspiciously.

“Hopefully.” He pursed his lips for a beat. “I hesitated leaving this job because I didn’t know who would take over this role after me. Who would be dedicated enough to try to keep the music program going? But I think I’ve found that person now. Someone who loves this place as much as I do, and who’ll do everything they can to keep the music at Glendale.” He gestured across the room. “And that’s Charlie.”

“Me?” Charlie sputtered, caught off guard.

He nodded.

What on earth was he talking about? “No. I can’t… Julian, I’m not—”

Gram squeezed her leg. “Just hear him out.”

“You knew about this?” Charlie said, searching her face.

Gram didn’t seem at all surprised. In fact, she’d hardly reacted to Julian’s news of a promotion. Gram gave her a wink.

“You basically put this choir together and ran it single-handed,” Julian said. “This job would just make it official. No more volunteering. I know there are elements to the role other than music, but I can help you with those until you figure it out. And look, if this is not something you want, I’ll find someone else,” he said. “Or if your music dreams take you in a different direction, we’ll support you. But right now, I’d really like it to be you. I think we’d all like it to be you.”

There were nods and words of encouragement from the room.

Charlie’s cheeks heated. Since she’d returned, she’d wondered how best to be a part of the community at Glendale, and here was Julian, offering her the perfect solution. She didn’t know what to say. Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes again.

“Question is,” Julian said, “do you want us?”

Charlie laughed. “I really do.”

Gram wrapped an arm around her, hugging Charlie close in celebration. Then she was up in Julian’s arms, wrapped in his warm embrace, her heart filled with so much gratitude she didn’t even know what else to say.

“Sorry to put you on the spot again,” he said.

She looked up at his cheeky grin. “No, you’re not.”

“Yeah, not really.”

They shared a laugh, and her eyes fell to his lips. The only thing holding her back was the roomful of residents.

“Just kiss him already!” Maggie yelled, surprising them both.

Well, Charlie thought. She wasn’t technically employed yet, which meant Julian wasn’t technically her coworker. And who was she to refuse when they were being cheered for? She pressed up on her toes and gave Julian a chaste peck on the lips.

“Boo!” Harriet said. “You can do better than that!”

Julian laughed and wrapped his arms around Charlie, dipping her slightly before laying a rather unchaste kiss on her. She came up breathless.

“Oh!” she said, her eyes widening in excitement. “I have an announcement, too!” She pulled away from Julian, facing the group. “As my first official act as activities director, I’d like to propose a field trip.”

Twenty-One

Charlie