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“Okay, then. Let’s get this party started. Where do you want us?”
“Okay, so the presents are over here.” She led Paul and me across the room, pointing out the ton of chocolate Christmas themes selection boxes that were wrapped. “The red ones with the white bow are girly themed and the blue with the white bow is for the boys.” She turned to face us. “I figure you guys can alternate. One of you take the entrance and lead the little darling to Santa while the other monitors the exit and hands a present to parent and child when they leave.” She turned to face us, looking too much like a drill sergeant for my liking. “How does that sound?”
“Exciting,” we both muttered at the same time before laughing at our timing.
“Okay, then. I figure Faith can take the first hour on child duty and then you can both swap. Oh, I almost forgot. Whoever is on child duty needs to take a picture of the kid and Santa. How does that sound?” She walked away, going back to Santa, not bothering to wait on a response. She was most likely going to instruct him on what she wanted him to be doing. Besides sitting on his ass talking to the little angels waiting outside.
Just fucking kill me now.
I walked over to the entrance, taking a small peek outside. I reached behind me and smoothed my skirt down, not really wanting to flash Santa or any of the children when I bent down to greet the little ones. I looked across at Paul and chuckled when I saw he was on his phone talking to someone.
He looked across at me, catching me staring at him. He gave me a cheeky wink before I could look away and hung up the phone.
“You might be getting a visitor later.” He grinned over at me before he nodded his head from side to side, making the bell on his hat jingle.
I giggled at his actions before I watched Santa fix his hat in the right position.
“Ready?” I asked, kind of cringing at the evening ahead.
“Ready.” Santa Nick nodded his head at me, grinning as I pasted a cheery smile on my face and turned with Emma to greet the first child in the line.
“Just try and enjoy yourself,” Emma muttered beneath her breath.
“This is going to be hell,” I replied back.
As we opened the door and saw just how many children and parents were waiting to meet Santa, I knew without a doubt that this was going to be the last event I would ever be helping her out on. Friend or not.
* * *
After taking way too many photos on the camera, the end of the day had finally come where I could remove this stupid outfit when I got home. Every time I moved; it was followed by the sound of jingling bells. It was enough to make me detest the idea of Christmas and never want to see another child again.
“I hate your girlfriend,” I muttered to Paul as we watched her wave at Santa Nick. “I mean, I love her but I hate her.”
“Guys!” She squealed and came skipping back over to us. “That was so much fun.” She wrapped an arm around each of us and squeezed before letting go. “I knew you wouldn’t let me down.”
We both looked down at her with a ‘are you fucking kidding me’ expression on our faces. Like we had a choice in helping.
“Seriously, I owe you.” Some people were immune to dirty looks and Emma was obviously one of them.
“I’m going home,” I muttered. “I’m tired, my feet hurt, I’m hungry, and I just want my bed.”
“So dramatic,” she muttered behind me. “We’ll see you tomorrow. Paul and I are going to stay and tidy up so we don’t have to do it tomorrow.”
I couldn’t contain the giggle when I saw Paul’s face drop in disappointment at her words.
He narrowed his eyes at me in warning, obviously having heard my giggle. A smirk appeared on his face before he nodded his head at the doorway.
“Have fun walking home.” He took Emma’s hand and pulled her over to where some leaflets were littered on the floor.
I frowned, wondering what he meant before I shook my head and left them to it, too tired to wonder what he meant. I walked outside, cringing when I felt the cold wind blow against me.
Why didn’t I bring a damn coat?
I began walking down the path, regretting my decision to come in only my outfit when I saw someone standing at the end of the path.
Great, last thing I needed was some weirdo hanging around after hours outside a children’s and parent’s event. This is why I should have a car. Less chance of bumping into random strangers.
Before I could look away, the stranger turned around, surprising me when I saw who it was.
