“Can’t wait.” She waves and heads for the door. It’s almost seven o’clock, the closing time for the gallery and the opening time for Santa’s visits in the town square. I rush to the back of the store to my office and change into my elf costume. I’ve been volunteering as Santa’s helper ever since I was twelve years old when my grandfather took the job. He played Santa right up until the year he died. One of my father’s good friends is now our Santa, and I promised to keep up my elf duties. I don’t mind volunteering my time; it brings me joy. If my father looked anything like Santa Claus, I know he would’ve taken the position, but he’s too skinny and when he tried to grow a beard, it looked patchy. Needless to say, he wouldn’t have made a good Santa.
Once I’m dressed, I have ten minutes to lock up the store and walk over to the middle of town square which is only a block away. The bell on my front door dings, and I already know who’s in my gallery by the little girly squeal.
“Are you ready to see Santa?” I call out as I walk out of my office. When Brittany sees me, she squirms out of her mother’s arms and runs over, her blonde curls bouncing around her shoulders. I scoop her up into my arms and kiss her cheek. “Hey, sweetheart. Did you have a good day at preschool?”
Lindy chuckles. “Her teacher said all she talked about was how she was going to see Santa tonight and that her Aunt Bree is his elf.”
I’m not really Brittany’s aunt, but I love her just like she was my niece. Her mother is my best friend and has been ever since we were in elementary school. Since I don’t have any siblings even to be an aunt, it’s nice to have the honorary title.
Brittany giggles. “Can we go now? I want to see Santa.”
I set her down, and she bounces on her feet. Lindy nods toward the door. “There are so many people out there tonight. You wouldn’t believe who I ran into.”
“Who?” I ask, grabbing the store keys from behind the cash register.
She waggles her eyebrows. “Justin Hastings. He’s in town for the holidays and looking cute and single. He asked about you.”
Rolling my eyes, I point to the door. “Not going to happen, Lindy. I’m not interested in a Christmas booty call. Justin lives in Georgia and only visits his parents on the holidays.”
“What’s a booty call?” Brittany asks, her big eyes staring curiously at me.
Mouth gaping, I look at her and then at Lindy. “Ooops. I shouldn’t have said that.”
Lindy picks Brittany up in her arms, and I open the door for them. “Aunt Bree is just talking about a phone call, honey. She doesn’t want to talk to Justin.” Then she gasps and nods toward all the Christmas lights on all the shops. “Look at the lights. Aren’t they pretty?” Lindy glares at me and then smiles. “Now that she’s in preschool, she listens to everything. It’s getting harder for me and Trent to spell things out because she knows what we’re talking about.”
We both laugh, and I ruffle Brittany’s curls. “She’s a smart one.”
Downtown Meadowbrook is breathtaking. Twinkling lights adorn every doorway and window, all the trees are decorated with white lights and ornaments, and there’s always a group of carolers that sing around the town square.
“I wish it could be like this all year,” I say.
Brittany squeals. “Yay! And get presents too.”
I wink at her. “Exactly. It just so happens I have a couple of things for you underneath my tree at home.”
Her eyes twinkle, and she claps her hands. Every time I’m around her, it makes me want kids of my own. Unfortunately, life hasn’t given me a chance yet.
“When was the last time you talked to Mark?” Lindy asks, her expression curious.
Thinking of him makes my stomach clench. I was with him for three years, and I loved him. I thought we would get married and start a family, but when he shared his disinterest in having kids, I couldn’t see myself giving up that dream. He wouldn’t budge, and neither would I.
“He called me on Thanksgiving,” I reply blandly.
“And?” she prods. “What did he say?”
Releasing a heavy sigh, I avert my gaze to all the people gathered around the town’s gigantic Christmas tree. Santa’s sleigh is just on the other side, where I know there will be a gazillion kids lined up to see him.
“He asked how I was doing and if I was seeing anyone.”
Lindy laughs. “Wow. Is he trying to get you back?”
I huff. “Yep. I told him I wasn’t interested in wasting time with someone who doesn’t want the same things I do. I mean, my God, I’m thirty-four years old. I don’t want to be fifty and having my first child.” Meadowbrook is a small town, but we’re right in the middle between Richmond and Norfolk. With the way I travel around looking for talent, I’ve met men from all over Virginia. I’ve dated a couple here and there, but every one of them have been so focused on their careers they can’t think of anything else. I’m focused on mine too, but I also want to live life and enjoy it. Money is good to have, but it’s not what makes me happy.