“You don’t want to get hurt.” Nicholas shifted closer to Molly. “But you shouldn’t be worried about that, Molly. That won't happen with the right person.”
She smiled sadly and shrugged. She liked him sitting close to her. He was warm and his arm around her felt good. Too good. She needed to get off the topic of her love life.
“And what about you? You ever get your heart broken?” Molly asked.
“Yes.” Nicholas’ answer was straight to the point. “I just don’t make a big deal about it.”
Molly's mouth dropped open. She knew Nicholas could be blunt, but that felt a bit harsh.
Nicholas then gave Molly a huge grin and her shoulder a nudge, telling her he was teasing her. She started to laugh. “Are you trying to say that I’m being dramatic, Nicholas?”
“Not dramatic. Sentimental,” Nicholas corrected. “Also, do you know what Roger Freeman’s up to, these days? I’d like to get his contact information.”
“Why?” she asked.
“So that I can tell him that he’s the dumbest man alive,” Nicholas replied, shaking his head. “And if not the dumbest, then he’s easily in the Top Five.”
“Oh yeah, easily,” Molly agreed, leaning into Nicholas’ side. “Speaking of men who fall in love with cities, what made you fall in love with New York City?”
“It’s not so much that I’m in love with the city. It’s just the place where business happens,” he explained. “If I ever want to expand my operation, Manhattan’s the perfect place to be. Of course, I could really run Kerstman Enterprises from any major city with a 5G connection and decent espresso.”
“You and your coffee,” Molly said with a giggle, pointing to the cup in his hand. “How do you ever sleep w
ith all that caffeine?”
“I'm not really sure,” he said with a laugh. “And you, Ms. Molly? What made you fall in love with this little town?”
“It feels like home,” Molly said, but that didn't feel like it explained things well enough. “I love it here. I teach here. I'm on all sorts of town committees. I'm part of the community here. It's not just the town or Christmas Wishes that keeps me here. It's the people.”
“Do you think you could be happy living somewhere else?” He took a sip of coffee, looking straight ahead.
“I don’t know. Maybe? It would be hard. I guess I’d have to see,” Molly answered with a doubtful shrug. “Anything’s possible.”
“Yeah, anything’s possible, especially at Christmas,” Nicholas agreed with a grin.
“Especially at Christmas,” Molly repeated. “Even Nicholas Kerstman enjoying it.”
She stuck out her tongue at him.
“So graceful. So mature,” he said with a sigh and a straight face.
“I try my best, Nicholas. I try my best,” Molly replied. She then made another silly face and this time Nicholas’ laughter rang out throughout the night.
Chapter 21
Nicholas
Nicholas and Molly had been working side-by-side at Christmas Wishes all morning. Nicholas noted that their collaborative workflow seemed to improve with more time spent together. They now took count of inventory, wrapped up the remaining gifts in the store and kept a watchful eye on Liam with relative ease.
Earlier, Molly had mentioned that both of their parents would be coming back into town today, although she wasn’t sure of the time since they had to switch their flights due to the previous snowstorm.
At first, Nicholas felt the familiar pang of worry that comes with having to introduce someone to his parents, whether it be a co-worker, a friend or a certain Head Elf he’d found himself quite fond of.
But then he recalled that Molly had known his parents for years, which meant that she was aware of their oddities and possibly even liked them all the more for it. Plus, he knew they already liked her. It was nice not to have the stress of it.
Molly had gone to the back of the store when the front door chimed with the arrival of new visitors to the shop.
“Nicky! Nicky! Nicky!” Mrs. Kerstman shouted, running across the floor of Christmas Wishes and skidding to a stop in order to embrace him. “I’ve missed you!”