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PROLOGUE
ELI
Thank god another MerryCon is over. My tired body sinks into the backseat of a hired town car, relishing the end of my commitment to this year’s festive palooza.
I don’t understand everyone’s obsession with these damn holiday movies.
They’re all the same from the predictable plots to the carbon-copy characters. And it’s all bullshit. Candy-coated and peppermint-scented bullshit.
People don’t act like that in real life, and Christmas isn’t a miracle season meant to bring couples together. Of course, if I ever voiced my annoyance with the films, I’d be out of a job because my career’s landed me as a rom-com staple these past few years.
So, I slap on a fake smile and do my job like any other citizen in this country, even if the scripts make me cringe.
“They loved you, Eli.” My manager types away on his phone as he speaks. “You’ve already been asked to return next year, and I’m sending your confirmation.”
Great.
“Can’t I take a break? Surely missing one convention won’t derail any offers for a role.” It’d be nice to spend December at home where I could avoid overly zealous holiday fans, music, decorations. Hell, the whole season really.
“No, you have to go. Especially since you’ll be promoting a new film around that weekend.” He pulls a manuscript out of his bag on the car floor and tosses it to me.
The Little Drummer Brigade.
I read the ridiculous summary and scoff.
Fuck me.
CHAPTER ONE
SHELBY
“Dammit!” A string of curses follows as a chorus of bells sings a merry tune. Someone’s caught in the decorative lights and bells draping the entrance to MerryCon, and he’s not happy about it.
I tug on the wagon full of inventory I’m hauling to my booth, forcing it over the extension cord the wheels are caught on, before my attention strays to the annoyed stranger again. Stranger because I don’t know him personally, but his handsome profile is definitely recognizable.
Eli Cooper.
He used to play teen heartthrobs over a decade ago. Films like Sixteen Again and James Talbot Needs a Date were my catnip back in high school. These days I prefer comforting Hallmark or Hearts of America rom-coms, and Eli’s graduated to those, too. Though it seems the shift in his career isn’t exactly appreciated.
“Who the fuck hangs a walking hazard over the main entrance?” Eli growls, detangling himself from the web of twinkling LEDs. Two volunteers are attempting to help him, but all of his huffing and puffing is clearly making them nervous.
This is why people warn you to never meet your heroes.
Not that Eli Cooper is my hero. Or really even a celebrity crush. That phase ended right around the time I started my crafting business and realized teen boys—however fictional—were subpar compared to a man who could partner with me, personally and professionally. Sure, fate’s failed to send this magical man into my life so far, but he’s definitely not Eli Cooper—or any other childhood crush.
Unfortunately, Eli’s confirming what I thought the first and only time I watched one of his holiday rom-coms: he’s just not that into Christmas. Or Hallmark predictability. Or MerryCon. He’s probably contractually obligated to be here this weekend because it’s the biggest event of the year for television movie fans who love their holiday movies and actors.
I wheel to a stop in front of my booth. It’s mostly set up, only missing this last load of ornaments for the display cases, then I’ll be free to watch the continuing saga of Eli Cooper vs MerryCon Christmas Lights.
“Can you believe that guy?” My neighbor shakes her head in disbelief, popping a piece of peppermint bark into her mouth. Nancy’s representing her family’s candy shop during the event, and she’s already mentioned three times how excited she is to meet her movie crush, Calder Mayfield. She’s sweet, but I hope he doesn’t disappoint her like fans of Eli would be if they witnessed this altercation.
He’s lucky it’s still early and MerryCon doesn’t officially start for another hour.
“I know, right? They’re lights. Not a big deal.” I carefully stack my bestsellers—hand blown glass snow globes featuring the North Pole—and mentally prepare for a busy day.
When I filled out the vendor form for MerryCon, I never expected to be asked if I’d like to sponsor their ornament-making contest. Chic Charm Crafts is a small business, hardly a world-renowned name. But the organizers liked the idea of supporting a local shop, and I couldn’t say no to the large order they placed for decorations and supplies for the contest, plus the exposure it would net me.
As an artisanal shop, we’re getting by alright financially, but this could push us to the next level. I have dreams of becoming an exclusive handcrafted brand. MerryCon could make it happen.
