“You’re back!” I give Kenny a warm smile. He hung out with me this morning and even dropped the bags off at the restaurant for me while some of the other stuff is being delivered.
“Thought you might need a ride.”
“I swear I’m finding angels everywhere today.”
“Got you this too.” He hands me a hot chocolate. He actually reminds me a bit of Santa Claus, with his gray hair and small belly.
“Are you sure this is okay?” I really don’t want to take advantage of someone who is so truly kind.
He told me he drives for some fancy CEO and that most of his day is spent waiting around to take the man home when he leaves the office. Kenny said that if he was around, he'd be more than happy to help a girl trying to start her own business. He told me I look a lot like his granddaughter who is off for her first year of college, and he’d all but raised her himself.
“What else am I going to do? Sit around?”
“Okay, but don’t get in trouble because of me.” I take a sip of the hot chocolate and let out a small moan. “This is wonderful.” I thank him again as I get into the front seat of the SUV. “Is your granddaughter Kelly going to make it home for the holidays?” I ask when he pulls away from the curb. He told me that she’s studying like crazy for finals and has a paper due, but the paper can be turned in later so she’s focusing on her exams first. The paper might hold her up from coming home on time, though.
“She’s going to let me know. The flight times aren’t ideal for when she’s done with everything, but she’ll at least make it. Might just be after Christmas.”
“At least you’ll get to see her.” I try to keep the cheer in my voice, but it can be hard this time of year, especially when people talk about their family.
“You’ll have a family one day, Star,” Kenny says and shoots me a smile.
That’s a dream I’ve had most of my life. I bounced around the foster system a lot while I kept my head down and did my schoolwork. No family ever picked me to stay permanently, but I had a few really long runs with a couple of homes. I was able to get some scholarships to get into college, and I got a degree in business because I wasn’t sure what else I should do. It felt safe, and I always tend to lean into that when it comes to my choices.
“We’re here,” Kenny says, pulling up to a fancy restaurant that I’d never be able to afford to eat at.
“Wish me luck,” I say, hopping out of the SUV.
“I don’t think you need it, Star. You got this.”
For once I actually think I might.
Four
NICK
It’s early, and the restaurant isn’t open to the public at this hour, so I stay back in the kitchen with the cooks so I can spy on Star while she decorates the tree. The kitchen staff is in early to prepare for the day, and they’ve got music playing, and they’re all talking and joking around. I’m sipping my coffee and sneaking looks through the door that leads to the dining area.
“Merry Christmas to me,” I hear one of the chefs behind me say, but I’m not really paying him any attention. “I’m gonna go see if I can unwrap that fat ass.”
A few of the guys start laughing, and I turn around to see the chef that made the joke is looking right at Star.
“The fuck did you just say?” I straighten and slowly place my coffee on the counter next to me.
“What?” He looks over at me and shrugs. “Just checking out the chick doing the tree. Might as well enjoy the view while I’m working.”
“You keep looking at her and it will be the last thing you see before I rip your eyes out.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” The manager, Cupid, comes over and gets between us. “Get back to work,” he yells over his shoulder to the chef, and he smartly walks to the back with the rest of the crew. “You all right, Nick?”
Cupid and I go way back; I helped him start this restaurant. I’m still part owner in it, but he’s made me my money back ten times over since I invested. Now it’s more of a glorified title while he sits back and makes bank.
“What are you doing here?” I glance back at Star and see she’s bending over to pick up more ornaments. Maybe I didn't think this whole tree-decorating thing through.
“Oh you know, nothing big. Just got an email from my best friend in the middle of the fucking night telling me I had to hire this woman to decorate a Christmas tree in my restaurant.”