confusion.
"How are things with your sexy chef?"
"He's not mine." Ginger huffs. "He's only in town for the filming of The Great Gingerbread Bake-Off and then he's out of here. Besides, he's a gingerbread-stealing jerk."
"Maybe you should give him a reason to stay," I suggest, ignoring her comment about Keller being a jerk. I don't think he's nearly the jerk Ginger seems to think he is.
"As if. He's not Reindeer Falls material. He's British. And famous. He has a show on the Food Network!"
"So?"
"So? He's not going to give all that up for me."
"Why does it have to be one or the other? He can still be British in Michigan."
"Cute. But that kind of guy doesn't end up in a small town in Michigan. And my life is here. My bakery is here. He's going to bounce the moment the show is over."
"Hmm. Maybe. Maybe not. Anyway, I've gotta go."
"To Nick's?" Ginger looks excited, dusting her hands off and standing up with me.
"No, not yet. I have to stop at the craft store first."
"Sure…" Ginger drawls the word out, looking at me as if I'm insane. "That sounds right."
Chapter 13
After a quick run to the craft store I spend the rest of the evening crafting. And thinking. And dreaming. Making a vision board of sorts.
Then I throw away the Countdown-to-Dickmas calendar.
Okay, yes, I removed all the chocolates first, but still. It's the thought that counts.
I get to work early, with my new Advent calendar tucked in my bag as I will myself to be brave. And then I wait for Nick. He's due back in the office today, which is a good thing because I have to see him. Now, today. I can't wait another moment. Because Ginger is right. Angels are surely crashing and breaking every day I continue to act like a coward.
I'm nearly vibrating with nerves, but it's okay. I bet Rudolph was nervous when he was called on to lead Santa's sleigh. I bet the Grinch was terrified when his heart finally grew to its proper size. I bet Scrooge was downright alarmed when he realized he needed to make some big changes.
I'm ready. Ready to embrace the true meaning of Christmas.
Love, however it presents itself. Even if it is in the form of your slightly grumpy, too-attractive-for-his-own-good boss. Even if a relationship with said boss isn't the smartest idea in the world. Even if dating your boss has the potential to be messy. I'm going to put myself out there and take a chance. With Nick.
And fine, maybe I'm not taking the world's biggest chance. Maybe it's clear to everyone but me that Nick is interested. Or was interested. He might have changed his mind by now. He might have decided I'm not worth the trouble. Or he might not be interested in the kind of things I'm interested in. Things like going out to dinner. Watching Christmas movies in July. Kissing things.
Dating things. Love things.
All the things. I want all the things with Nick.
The light in his office flickers on. I didn't see him come in, which means he didn't bother to pass my desk on the way to his office. He usually does. It's always annoyed me. Until today, of course. Today it feels like a bad omen. Or rejection. Then again, it probably doesn't feel as bad as having someone tell you they're just going to pretend they never slept with you the morning after sleeping with you.
Like I did to Nick.
I take a deep breath, then I gather up my new Advent calendar and straighten the hem on my dress, a white winter wool paired with a sky-high pair of red heels. Maybe I don't need the heels to go toe to toe with Nick, but they do amazing things for my legs. And they don't hurt my confidence any, that's for sure. Besides, if this goes badly, I can always trip on my way out of his office and have an excuse other than my broken heart for taking the rest of the week off.
"I brought you a Christmas present." I manage to walk into his office without tripping but I nearly stumble over the words once I'm there. I'm not even sure I spoke in a coherent manner, until Nick finally responds.
He glanced up from his computer as I strode into his office with my announcement, a flicker of surprise in his guarded expression. He likely expected me to avoid him. Or perhaps he thinks I'm here to tell him