3. Ivy

3

ivy

M y day had been going great until one of my elves had come over the radio to let me know we had an unhappy customer outside of Santa’s Workshop. Rude customers were a common occurrence in any customer service job, but I couldn’t stand it when they went off on my employees who were just doing their jobs the way they’d been trained to. Plus, they were on vacation. What could really be so wrong that you feel the need to tell off someone who was selling reindeer plush for a living?

I knew if they could handle it themselves, they would, but some visitors just would not let it go, and that was when I came in.

“I want to speak with whoever’s in charge here,” came the snotty voice as I walked outside. Holding myself back from rolling my eyes, I pasted a fake smile on my face even as I groaned internally. It was easy to find her, considering she was the only red-faced person here, standing much too close to my elves.

Clearing my throat, I looked at the woman—a mother, I assumed—whose energy screamed I’m going to get what I want . “Hi. That would be me.”

She looked me up and down as if appraising my green velvet dress that hung on my slender frame and the green velvet bow in my hair. Sure, I’d swapped the shoes that jingled for a pair of red heels, but I was still small, and I knew it. I couldn’t believe how many Christmases I’d spent asking Santa to let me grow a few more inches. Of course, it never happened, just like all the other things I’d wished for, but that didn’t stop me from trying every year.

“ You’re in charge?” she asked, sounding skeptical. “Are you sure there’s not anyone else I can talk to, honey?”

I hated when people belittled me and how often this happened. Instead of saying anything, I gave her my best customer service smile, hoping that, at the very least, she’d change her tone with me. “Yes, I’m the manager here, so I’m the one who can help you, ma’am. What seems to be the problem?”

“That elf out front was completely inappropriate in front of me and my child. She made her cry. And right before our photo with Santa, too.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” I said, that fake smile still plastered on my face. “What was her name so that I can talk to her?” I really hated when people tried to walk all over me. Besides, over the last few years, I’d hired all the other elves here. I knew there was no way any of them would have been rude to the woman. Even when it was warranted, that smile stayed plastered on our faces. And we’d all been there.

“Uh, it was—” She looked like she was trying to rack her brain to come up with it. “Something like Sugar… or Cookie… maybe Candy? Our entire experience was ruined.”

I nodded, knowing I’d have to check with Tory out front to hear what happened. “Sorry to hear that. I will certainly talk with my staff to make sure they are following our procedures.”

“Okay, well, I want a refund for how I’ve been treated.”

“Was there something wrong with your picture?” I cocked my head to the side, enjoying the way my earrings jingled as I did. I liked to think they were one reason I’d been having an extra good day. Throughout November and December, I rotated through my collection of Christmas earrings, and today’s pair was a bunch of dangling colored bells.

“Well, no?—”

“Then I don’t see what the problem is.” I gave her my sweetest smile. “If your photos are satisfactory, then I’m afraid I can’t refund them.” And I certainly didn’t have permission to refund park admission. That was a little over my head.

“You’re being very rude to me, and I don’t appreciate it,” she quipped, her arms crossed over her chest as she angrily tapped her foot on the ground.

“I’m sorry, Ma’am,” I said. “I understand that you’re unsatisfied, but that’s the policy here in Santa’s Workshop.”

“Excuse me,” a man’s voice spoke up behind us. I was surprised by the timbre of the voice, deep and soothing. “What seems to be the problem here?”

“Can’t you see we’re a little busy here, Buddy ?” Angry mom whirled around, and when my eyes moved to see who’d interrupted us, I took him in.

Dark brown hair. Deep green eyes. A frown spread over his face. Wearing a tie the color of Christmas trees.

“I think your husband was looking for you, miss.” My Christmas savior in disguise, apparently, told the woman. “Something about the photo being done and your daughter wanting a candy apple…?”

She turned bright red, spun on her heel, and stormed off.

I planted my hands on my hips, lips quirking up in amusement as I watched her go. Turning to the stranger, I furrowed my brow. “I had that handled, you know.”

“Sure you did.” He hummed, clearly entertained by the whole situation, looking me over as if appraising me.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “I am perfectly capable of doing my job.”

A little smirk curled up on his face. “Never said you weren’t.”

Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I tried not to analyze why this man was getting under my skin so easily. “Right.” I cleared my throat. “Anyway, I’ve gotta get back to work, so…”

“Sure. I’ll walk with you. I’m heading that way, too.”

“What?” I stopped, and he spun on his heel to face me. He raised an eyebrow, and I felt all the blood drain from my face. “You’re the new executive.” I should have guessed from his attire, but the thought hadn’t even crossed my mind. At least he hadn’t contradicted me in front of the guest.

He nodded. “I am. Theodore Clau—Clausen.” He cleared his throat, sticking out his hand like he wanted me to shake it. “Nice to meet you…”

“Ivy Winters.” Placing my hand in his, I felt a little jolt run up my spine at the contact. “Sorry. You caught me a little off guard back there. I’m a manager here.”

“You are?” His eyes flickered to my ears and then back to my eyes.

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“It’s just… You’re so…” He seemed lost for words.

“Watch it, buddy,” I said, narrowing my eyes at him.

He glanced at my ears again, and I pushed my hair over them, suddenly feeling oddly self-conscious. “Teddy.”

“What?”

“My name. Not Buddy.”

I laughed. “You’re not from around here, are you?” He looked confused, and I shook my head. “I really need to get back to work.”

“Sure, sure.” He gave me a wave and then stopped and turned. “See you later, Ivy.”

I scowled. “Not if I see you first!”

Stupid, stupid. What was I even thinking?

A warm, steaming mug of peppermint hot chocolate was just what I needed to get my day back on track. Sitting at my desk, I’d kicked my heels on the floor and tucked my legs underneath me. I’d always been more comfortable sitting like this, even if everyone made fun of me for it.

Putting on my Christmas playlist, I got back to work. I’d skipped lunch—no surprise there—but I’d just grab a bite to eat on my way home like I always did. There was always too much to do, schedules to sort out, personnel issues to solve, and that didn’t even include walking around the park to check in on everyone. I tried to be as active of a manager as possible. That was one reason I’d stuck around here so long—employees were treated well. Maybe we dressed up as Santa’s Elves, but we had a damn good union behind us.

“Knock, knock.” The voice at the door startled me.

I looked up, surprised to find my eyes meeting Theodore Clausen’s—Teddy, I reminded myself—for the second time today. “Hello. What can I do for you?”

He took his time inspecting my office. It wasn’t overly decorated, mostly because I hadn’t even had time to put out the tiny tree that normally sat on my desk this year. A few photo frames were on my desk, one of me graduating from UCF, diploma in hand. One with Sarah, the second summer we’d both worked here, during one of the Christmas in July summer-themed events. We both had big smiles plastered on our faces like the magic was all still new and everything was fun. There was one with me and one of my foster sisters from the Christmas I lived with her family. One of the best ones I’d ever had.

If only it had lasted.

I wondered what it looked like through someone else’s eyes.

His perusal of my space gave me ample time to study him. That long, brown hair that touched the top of his ears. It looked soft like you’d want to run your fingers through it. He was clean-shaven, though I imagined he’d look equally attractive with stubble and that strong jaw. Pink, full lips. And those cheekbones? Ugh. To die for. And yet, none of that compared to his physique. He wore black suit pants and a white button-up shirt with a forest green tie, but he’d rolled up the sleeves, revealing delicious forearms. With those broad shoulders, I could just imagine?—

“Ivy?”

“Huh?” My cheeks warmed. Oh, god. He totally caught me ogling him. This was embarrassing. No, strike that, mortifying. He already seemed to think I couldn’t do my job. I couldn’t have him firing me for checking him out.

“It’s nice. A little small, though.”

“Oh.” If it was possible, I was pretty sure my blush deepened. “Thank you. They used to joke that it was a broom closet, but then when it became my office…” That it was me sized. Because I was so small. Ugh. It wasn’t funny then or now.

He frowned, straightening. “I’m sorry if we got off on the wrong foot earlier.”

“I did have it handled,” I insisted.

“I know.” He held up his hands. “But people were filming, and I couldn’t stand the way she was talking to you. ”

“Oh.” My temper diffused a little, and I brushed a piece of hair behind my ear. “Well, I guess you’re not a total scrooge.”

He chuckled. “Definitely not. Christmas is my favorite time of year.”

“Then why are you spending it working at an amusement park instead of being home with your family?” I glanced at his left hand but didn’t see a ring. Not married, then. Still, he could have a girlfriend back home. It didn’t matter either way though, because technically he was my boss. And I was not interested.

Teddy raised an eyebrow at me as if to ask, why are you? “I’m trying to wrap up a few projects before the holidays. Seemed the best time to see how this place operated and get the lay of the land.”

I snorted. “Yeah, the busy season is definitely the most fun around here.”

“It’s crazy, but I think I love it.” He picked up a tiny wooden reindeer off my desk, running his thumb over the carvings. It was small in his massive hands. God, what was wrong with me? I didn’t usually notice stuff like that.

“Yeah?” I bit my lip. “Honestly, it doesn’t feel like there’s anywhere else like it in the world. I started here right after I graduated high school, and I just… never left.” Some might call it complacency, but I was content, and wasn’t that enough? Maybe it was too much to ask for a perfect fairytale life—I’d certainly never had that to begin with—but this was enough for me. “And now I’m Head Elf at Santa’s Workshop, and how many people can say that?”

He placed the reindeer back down on my desk, a hint of amusement dancing over his lips. “And you like it?”

I raised an eyebrow. “Is this a standard question you’re asking all employees or just me?”

“Just you.”

A shiver ran down my spine. “Oh.” I met his green-eyed gaze and nodded. “Then I guess, yeah. I like it. Why? Does that make a difference for you?”

Teddy smiled. “Maybe it does.”

He stood up, heading out of my office, then looked over his shoulder at the last moment. “See you tomorrow, Ivy Winters.” The matter-of-factness in his tone, the way his stare was full of determination… all of it was hot.

He was just plain attractive. I hated it because I didn’t want to like him.

“See you tomorrow,” I mumbled back.