39. Nice Bonus
39
Nice Bonus
At 5PM, Hoynes dragged a sign to the end of the line: “Santa and the elves need to tend to the reindeer. Please come back again soon. Happy holidays! Love, The Mall Staff.”
My lower lip wobbled.
Chestnut slow-blinked and slung an arm around my shoulder. “Here we go again. Are you going to miss having lunch with your boyfriend?”
I dug my elbow into his ribs. “Harvey’s not going anywhere. I’ll miss all of this–including you, sleepypants.”
He touched his chest. “Such an honor.”
“Great season, everyone.” Hoynes pointed the clipboard at us. “Now, go change and come back with the uniforms.”
I clasped my hands behind my back. “What about the nice bonus?”
“You’ll get it.” His gaze darted between us. “It’ll be reflected in your last paycheck.”
“I’m more likely to get coal in my stocking,” Chestnut mumbled as we walked away.
I shrugged and scuffed my shoes on the red velvet carpet. “Well, you were late. And tired. And on your phone, most of the time.”
He waved me off and hunched over as he walked. “I get it.”
I patted his arm. “But you were still fun to work with. You deserve recognition for doing your best. I’m sure you’ll get some kind of bonus.”
“I don’t know about that.” He frowned, peeking over his shoulder.
“I think Hoynes gets it. Guests can be exhausting, and your true love is theater, not customer service. Although there are musicals that utilize our elf magic. Maybe you can use your time here to inspire some stellar set design and choreography. Remember us when you hit the big time on Broadway." I mimed a fancy dance number.
“I’ll make sure we have better costumes, there," he said.
“I’m looking forward to it, as long as you let some people have a flippy skirt.” I grinned and headed to my cubby for my change of clothes. There was something else in my backpack—a paper bag from The Bern. Inside, I found a menagerie of winter cookies: a penguin, a reindeer, a star, a snowman, and a 'heart that grew three sizes.' All for me. I smiled and wrapped them up for later, then hauled my stuff down to The Bern.
Harvey was stacking chairs on top of tables, his shoulders flexing under his two shirts. He was so focused. And alone. Twinkle lights shone on the top shelves, creating a low light.
I tapped the tune of "Jingle Bells" on the closed glass door.
Harvey turned around, smirking when he saw me. “We’re closed.”
“I know. I have to change out of my uniform and the bathrooms are all gross. Do you have a storage closet or anywhere safe?” I traced a heart in the clear glass between us and batted my eyelashes. “I…might need you to help me.”
“Yeah, come on in.” He glanced sidelong as he opened the door, then locked it behind me.
I peered into the corners of the store. “Where’s Mario?”
“I sent him home early so he could be with family.”
I clasped my hands and swayed with the urge to wrap myself around him. “You’re already such a nice manager.”
“I guess. This way.” His cheeks flushed bright red. He jerked his chin and stalked off behind the counters.
I scurried to keep up with him, basking in the cloud of cinnamon and love. “I’m not going to get you in trouble by being here, am I?”
“No, I was in trouble from the minute you hit me with that snowball.” He smiled and took my hand. “I had to wait to touch you, though. A security camera is over there.”
“Oh. Okay.” I kept an eye out for any other dark globes hanging from the ceiling. “Thanks for the cookies, by the way.”
“You’re welcome.” He led me to a back area where they prepared the baked goods and stored ingredients. A few coats hung on a rack mounted to the wall, so that’s where I hung my bag. There weren’t any cameras here, and the whole place smelled like sugar and cinnamon.
The indie holiday specials playing through the venue quietly shifted to an instrumental piece from The Nutcracker. I gasped and turned around, waving my arms like a dove. “This is my theme song. 'Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy.' I have to do one last performance, especially while I still have the outfit.”
Harvey straightened his spine. “Does this make me the nutcracker?”
I grinned and faked some ballet. “You are many things, Harvey: an artist, a manager, a baker, a grinch.”
He laughed and twirled me into his arms. “I am?”
My fingertips landed on his chest. “You’re also my prince.” My daddy, my person. I lowered my gaze and stepped closer as he leaned in, encircling me with his arms.
His heartbeat was strong, even through two layers and an apron. We swayed, his dark, curious gaze steady on my face. If I tilted my face up, we’d kiss. But I wanted to savor this for a minute, and my boyfriend was incredibly patient. The flour and sugar on the counters was a pretty kind of snow for our little wonderlan. A leafy light fixture might as well have been our mistletoe.
I’d found so much love as Sugarplum. So much magic. I’d danced, caroled, and candy-caned my heart out…right into the hands of a wonderful man and a possible new career path. I’d always treasure my season as Sugarplum. Now, it was time to honor that magic and put it to rest.
I turned, guiding Harvey’s hands to the zipper on my dress. “I’m ready.”
He eased the uniform down and pressed gentle, ticklish kisses on my simmering skin. “I love you, Shelby.”
Hot tears of relief pressed against my eyelids. I let out a shaky, happy breath and hung my head, my knees wobbling as elation flooded my veins. I hadn’t expected him to say it yet—or to keep being so attentive when he had his own adventures. But here, stripped of my uniform, he was giving me strength.
“I love you too,” I said. I loved who I was around him. I loved his nurturing manner, I loved the way he listened and took charge. I loved that he thought about stuff so hard. I loved that we could play and talk about anything at all. I loved us.
Harvey nuzzled the back of my neck. “I feel like we should celebrate again.”
Our declaration warranted more than a slice of a cake. My hair grazed his chest as I turned to trace the soft scruff on the side of his jaw. “Merry Christmas.”
“And happy new year," he said softly.
We kissed, the soft embrace melding into a silent promise that we’d be together for many more celebrations.