And while the logical side of Nicholas’ brain recognized the truth, the illogical side of him, the side that insisted he stop to buy his Head Elf breakfast before work, was willing to do anything to see her smile.
Nicholas sighed before taking a long sip of his coffee.
He hadn’t felt this nonsensical since Becky Price.
Becky had been a New York City tourist he starting talking to in a coffee shop. They both ordered Americanos while everyone around them had flavored lattes or mocha cappuccinos.
They’d struck up a conversation about Wall Street, and after that, they never looked back, spending almost every day of her two weeks in New York side by side. It had been a wonderful romance made for daytime TV. They'd thought the warm, happy feelings would go on forever.
When she left to go home, he hadn't been worried. They shared a love of plain coffee and similar stock picks.
They’d attempted a long-distance relationship held together by late night phone calls and crossing out the days on their respective calendars until they could someday meet again.
But Becky couldn’t do it. And, to be honest, neither could Nicholas.
She started demanding that Nicholas leave New York for her and move to Chicago. She visited him a few times in New York, but the expense grew to be too much. Coffee and stocks could only bring them so far.
An ultimatum was made. Either move to Chicago and leave his business behind to be with her, or end things.
Ultimately, Nicholas chose to go with his head and not his heart. They'd broken up, and a year or so later, he received a decorative invite to Becky’s wedding in the spring. He had been happy for her, even if it meant that their love story was over.
Nicholas wondered if whatever-this-was with Molly was going to turn out any different.
If he decided to sell the shop, would Molly even speak to him again?
If he asked her to visit him in New York, would she come?
Would this turn into another relationship of emails and phone calls that left both parties feeling empty and unfulfilled? Was he just repeating his past? He wished he knew.
Nicholas tucked away his thoughts as he spotted Molly turning a nearby corner.
She wasn’t wearing her usual Christmas Wishes get-up, instead wearing a sensible pair of jeans and a light green sweater. She looked stunning in it. He noticed she had a large duffle bag slung over her shoulder, but figured it was something for the parade.
“I brought your coat,” she said, holding out his wool overcoat. “Sorry I forgot to give it back last night.”
It was warm when he took it from her and he wondered if she'd worn it on her way over. “Thanks,” he said, setting his coffee on the ground so he could take the jacket.
That's when she noticed the cinnamon
roll in his hands. “You? A cinnamon roll? Really?” Her eyes narrowed. “Who are you and what have you done with Nicholas Kerstman?”
“Ah, so you are getting to know me. You’re right. A cinnamon roll isn’t like me, at all.” Nicholas held the pastry out toward Molly. “This is for you. For breakfast.”
“Oh.” Molly's cheeks pinked more than with just the cold as she brought the cinnamon roll into her hands. “Thank you. I actually didn’t eat breakfast this morning...”
“I know,” Nicholas replied, tilting his head to the side. “Well, I guess I didn’t know. But I figured. You’re a little scatter-brained in the morning.”
“And you’re sweet when you want to be. Especially when you've had coffee,” Molly said, nodding at the cup as he picked it back up. “Drink up. You’re going to need to be extra nice today.”
“Extra nice? Why?” Something prickled the back of his neck and he could have sworn he heard the jingling of sleigh bells in his mind.
“Because Santa Claus is the nicest person on earth.” Molly bit into her breakfast, a too-big smile soon spreading across her face. “And today, the nicest person on earth is you.”
“What? What are you talking about?” Nicholas asked, suddenly suspicious and nervous. “What do I have to do with Santa Claus?”
“Everything, actually,” she informed him. “You’ll be playing him today at the parade.”
“No.”