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Santa’s Coming (High Five Novella #1) Chapter 3 Jingle Bells & Santa Sells 18%
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Chapter 3 Jingle Bells & Santa Sells

Sunday, December 15th

When I took the reins of High Five at the end of the summer, my vision for the dive bar in Lake Geneva was clear: a haven for the young at heart and adventurous. Little did I know I’d soon be decking the halls and myself as Santa, a twist in my tale spun by my Gen Z social media team. At thirty-eight, slipping into the red suit was as unexpected as finding a snowball in July. But I sleighed my doubts and got into the ho-ho-holiday spirit, aiming to spread cheer for our vibrant patrons.

Last night’s numbers were nothing to sneeze at. It was our highest sales night since I took over the bar. Sipping my coffee, I’m happy I hung up my pride and yielded to the social media agency’s insistence, recognizing that the twenty-somethings are an important demographic.

The morning after my unexpected transformation into Santa, I received an email with the subject line: Santa Zaddy!!! In my past life, using such a term would have resulted in a swift meeting with HR. But here, it’s a badge of honor, albeit a confusing one. This isn’t just about spirited banter; it’s about business. The email was a blend of excitement and hilarity, typical of the Gen Z communication style. They pitched yet another wild idea: plastering my photo with Emily all over social media, aiming for an impromptu event featuring “sexy photos with Santa.”

Unbelievable. Looking at the mock-ups of the various social media posts the team wants to use, I take a deep breath. That photo. It’s hot, and it captured an unexpected moment between us. It’s not for the whole world to see. There’s no way that photo is hitting social media. Emily would never consent to that, and I would never use such an intimate photo to drive drink sales.

And I’m certainly not playing Santa again for a night of sultry photo ops. Good for business or not. It’s not Scrooge behavior. I barely built up the nerve to don the Santa suit for one night. Even in the world of chasing viral content, creative freedom has its limits.

As I contemplate the surreal scenario of Santa escapades and Gen Z antics, a heavier unease gnaws at me. Is this my midlife crisis? The thought seems ludicrous, yet I can’t shake it off.

But, then again, life took an unexpected turn after the breakup with my long-term girlfriend. We’d been together for over a decade. Our relationship, while stable, had left me isolated and unfulfilled. Wanting to get away and start fresh, I left Chicago and my big corporate job and moved to this scenic tourist town. Lake Geneva’s quietness is definitely different from Chicago’s noise.

High Five is a relic, a piece of history in a town shifting toward modernity. I’ve embraced its raw, unpolished charm, which is so different from my former life.

And then there’s Emily. On one of my first days as a Lake Geneva resident, she caught my eye and then kept catching it. Her warm aura always radiates through her big, brown eyes. At the supermarket a couple of weeks ago, I almost introduced myself but was too shy. I’d been unsure if I was ready to ask someone out on a date. The Santa stunt, as ridiculous as it was, had finally broken the ice and my doubts.

While curious about her the last couple of months, I’ve learned that this woman—outside of being painfully good-looking—embodies community spirit and “Mom of the Year.” Her long, brown hair is rarely down. Without fail, when we cross paths, she’s in an on-the-go type look. It was wonderful to see Emily dressed up last night at the bar—even if it was a silly Christmas sweater. With her hair down and makeup on, she was absolutely breathtaking.

I’ve heard a few things about her since I moved to town. Her past is wrapped in rumors about her Scrooge of an ex. I’d never take the small-town chatter seriously. Growing up with a single mother, I understand the weight of her role.

I feel drawn to Emily like a magnet to the North Pole. This Christmas, however, I want to do more than just admire her. I want to unwrap, play, and touch, and the whimsy of Santa’s magic could make all of that possible.

One thing is for sure: My potential midlife crisis is taking me on a journey that I hadn’t anticipated, and Emily could be at the heart of it all. Either way, I’d love the chance to make Christmas a little more special for her this year.

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