Page 8 of The Naughty List Agreement

“I see you really lean into the myth. Love this place, it’s so atmospheric,” she said. She could totally imagine a pop-up bar at Winter Wonderland themed exactly like this, but tonight she had one focus and that was Nick Bari.

“Shall we get a table?”

“I reserved the booth toward the back for you to use. Hope to see you here again, Ms. Quill.”

She smiled at Jack as she followed Nick weaving his way through the full tables toward the back. There was another fireplace in the corner and it created a cozy, private vibe that made her feel like they were secluded from everyone else in the place. She shrugged out of her coat and hung it on a hook on the wall before sliding into the booth.

“So, lay it on me, Nick. What do I have to do to get you to say yes?”

CHAPTER 3

Cora had come to bargain and Nick was ready for it. His two dates had been dismal failures, he needed a win—but not at any price. He wasn’t going to be negotiated out of his comfort zone/morals—there was too much at stake.

He pulled out the piece of paper with his must-haves list.

1. Reinstate the other vendors

2. Work in the booth

3. I mean it: work in the booth

But he wouldn’t forget his secret agenda.

1. Refill the Magic Coffers with Gold Lumen

2. Find a Mrs. Claus

3. Get Cora off the Naughty List

Cora must be given every opportunity to redeem herself. He had a small window before Pete Krampus showed up in Cora’s life to dole out punishments. Regardless of his dislike, Nick had to get her on the Nice List.

“I want you to rehire the other vendors you fired.”

“Done. Is that it?” she asked. He had her over a barrel. He’d use that to his advantage—and hers. It would benefit her to get off the Naughty List too.

“Not quite,” he said. “You’re my other demand.”

“Me? Don’t get creepy on me.”

Getting Cora on the Nice List would cause a huge boost in Gold Lumen to fill the Magic Coffers. Restoring a thread in the Yearweave wasn’t easily done, so the resulting magic was pure and strong.

“Not like that. I want you to work beside me.”

She blanched. “I’m seriously in demand at the event.”

“That’s my condition.”

“Forget it!”

“You need me,” he said, leaning back and regarding her coolly.

“I don’t,” she said, but they both knew it was a lie.

“You wouldn’t be here otherwise,” he said. “You talk a pretty game about the holiday but you don’t understand the real meaning of Christmas. Work with me and learn it. Together we can pull off a miracle and spread the true magic of the season.”

“We’ll see.”

“Not acceptable.” Left to her own devices, she wouldn’t mend her naughty ways.