Christmas Wishes

“But Molly, he’s losing so much money,” Nicholas replied, his eyes just a little wild.

“Get your skates on!” Molly ignored Nicholas’ plea, bending to take off her boots and replace them with a pair of glittering ice skates. By the time she popped back up, Nicholas had done the same, his leather dress shoes now replaced by purple fabric and silver blades.

They looked ridiculous and yet perfect on him at the same time.

“Hold my hand.” Molly held out her hand for Nicholas and he took hold of it. The same flutter of desire and excitement went through her stomach.

Molly smiled to herself, trying not to think too hard about it. It was only a few days ago that she couldn’t even imagine working in the store alongside Nicholas Kerstman, and now they were holding hands outside the ice rink.

Although, technically, they weren’t romantically holding hands. Still, she liked it. She liked the way his touch seemed to light up her whole body. She liked the way it made her heart beat just a little bit faster than it should.

She forced herself to concentrate. The last thing she needed was to make a fool of herself on ice-skates.

“We’ll just do one slow lap to start. Alright?” Molly asked. They stood at the entrance to the rink. Luckily, the rink wasn't too full yet. Soft Christmas music played over ancient speakers and the sounds of laughter and conversation filled the air.

“One slow lap,” Nicholas repeated Molly’s words, his voice sounding confident.

When their blades touched the ice, Nicholas began to zig and zag.

Molly tried to correct his movements, using all of her strength to prevent him from wobbling too far left or right.

But after one of Nicholas’ several missteps, Molly miscalculated her own ability to catch his fall, and she found herself tumbling towards the ice.

Nicholas’ hands gripped onto her waist tightly as he spun them both around in a smooth, wide circle. He was in complete control and grinning broadly at her.

“Hey! What gives?!” Molly stared at him. “I thought you said you couldn’t ice skate.”

“Oh. I was just messing with you.” Nicholas’ laugh bubbled through his chest. “You were right. There are about a billion ice skating rinks in New York. I actually used to manage one, not too long after my stint at Debbie’s. It’s where I got the idea to start my own company.”

Molly narrowed her eyes at him and shook her head. He'd gotten her. Hook, line, and sinker. The handsome jerk. She managed to get her skates back under her and he released her waist.

“I’d assumed you got the idea to start your own company from your parents,” Molly replied as she skated by Nicholas’ side.

“Well, mom and dad were always a source of inspiration, but the skating rink is where I really figured it out. I learned how to bring a dying business back to life, and then I learned how to keep a thriving business alive for even longer,” Nicholas explained. He turned and started skating backwards so he could keep the conversation going. “And thus, Nicholas Kerstman Enterprises was born.”

Molly punched his shoulder gently and he spun easily to face the forward direction again.

“Which is why your dad felt so comfortable handing you the deed,” Molly’s explained to herself. Thinking of Christmas Wishes was a jolt of cold water. She remembered that this wasn't a date. He wasn't staying here. “And why you’ve probably already sold the rights to Christmas Wishes by now...”

Nicholas stopped their skating, sliding them both off to the side of the rink. Other skaters passed them. “What? You think I would’ve sold the rights to the shop and not told you about it?”

“No, I just think you’re a great businessman.” Molly shrugged off Nicholas’ question. “Which means, you’re going to get the job done, whatever it takes.”

Even if it meant buttering up the one person who tried to stand in Nicholas’ way.

Molly suddenly felt so foolish.

Of course, Nicholas was going to be sweet-as-pie towards her. He would want her support for when he told his parents he’d be franchising the store. He needed her to make a good impression on any investors that wanted to look at the store. He needed her to keep things running.

Of course he would be nice to her. What better way to get her to help him?

“Funny. You were the one who insisted on no business talk, and yet, here we are,” Nicholas said with a sigh. He put his hands on her shoulders. “Ms. Molly, I wouldn’t do something like that to you. I wouldn’t do something like that at all. I believe that honesty is the best policy, and if I was going to sell the rights to the shop, you’d be the first to know.”

Her eyes narrowed as she looked up at him. “You know that I'd do anything for that store. If I had the money, I'd buy it from you right now. That store is a part of this town. And I'm not going to let it go without a fight.”

“Even if it's what I want?” Nicholas asked.

“Even if it's what you want,” she replied, feeling a twinge of doubt run through her. She wanted Nicholas to be happy, but she wanted the store to remain the way it was more.