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Georgia
My father was talkingabout our many trips to see Santa over the years, and Gracie was busy drawing a picture of her and Santa.
It had been adorable, and my phone was filled with pictures of Gracie sitting on his lap, giving him the long version of her wishes for Christmas. I snapped a few pics of Cage stewing as Mr. Weber followed him around, talking nonstop. Cage kept whispering in my ear that he was going to give a nasty Yelp review about being followed around by an elf that was three sheets to the wind.
As if anyone in Cottonwood Cove relied on those reviews. This was a small town. Everyone knew everything, so reviews weren’t really necessary. But my stubborn older brother needed to take his aggression out somewhere, so I wouldn’t point it out and ruin his fun.
My eyes kept moving to the table a few feet away, where my boss sat with the ice queen. The woman didn’t even try to fake it.
She put the itch in bitch, no doubt about it.
My phone vibrated on the table as everyone continued laughing and talking and telling stories as our food was placed in front of us.
Bossman
Sorry about that. I let her know she was rude.
Rude is someone not saying thank you. Your date could give the devil a run for his money. Not sure what you see in someone who gives off major mean-girl vibes and has the warmth of an ice sculpture.
Bossman
Didn’t your last boyfriend steal your car?
Yes. He’s not here, though, is he?
Bossman
Fair enough. Would it be all right if I came over and met your family? I promise I won’t insult you.
They’d like to meet you. I wouldn’t let them come over for fear your date might pull the stick out of her ass and beat them with it.
Bossman
Wise choice. I’ll be over shortly.
Cage was ranting about Santa when Maddox approached the table, and everyone turned to look at him.
The man just had a way of drawing everyone’s attention.
It was more than his height and his good looks. It was his demeanor.
“I’m sorry to interrupt. I just wanted to introduce myself,” he said before my niece interrupted.
“You’re Aunt Georgie’s bossman?”
Everyone laughed, and Maddox’s lips twitched in the corners before a smile took over his face.
“Yes. I’m Maddox Lancaster, and I just wanted to say you have raised an amazing young woman. She’s done a fantastic job so far.”
“She’s the best. No doubt about it,” my father said. “I’m Bradford Reynolds, and this is my wife, Alana.” He went on to introduce everyone at the table, and Maddox made his way around, shaking everyone’s hands. It was unexpected but appreciated.
When he got to Gracie, she held up her hand for a high-five. Maddox gently tapped it with his hand and bent down to meet her gaze. “Did you go see Santa tonight?”
She gasped. “Did he tell you?”
I used my hand to cover my mouth to keep from laughing, expecting Maddox to correct her and tell her that I had let him know where we were going. But instead, he shocked the shit out of me. “He did. I ran into him on my way in here, and he told me to look for the cutest girl in the place and tell her that she was at the top of his list.”
Where the hell was Mr. Moody? Maybe he’d already had sex with his evil queen, and he was more relaxed now.
