“Why so glum, sugar plum?” said a male voice. Holly looked up, expecting to see Rowan. Instead, she saw Jack, carrying two drinks. Pandora was next to him. The young man was wearing a navy-blue leather coat and had his white hair slicked back. He looked like a greaser, straight out of the 1950s. In contrast, Pandora was wearing a holiday sweater in red and green, her black hair hanging down around in two pigtails over her shoulders. They were tied at the end with hair ties that had tiny green and red plastic balls, decorated to look like ornaments.

“Hey, Jack,” said Holly. “Hey, Pandora. “It’s nothing.”

“You seem kinda down in the dumps, sugar lumps,” said Pandora.

“What is with the two of you and the rhyming?” mused Holly. “Alright. Look. I have to help Avery organize a fun holiday party.”

“Where’s it being held?” asked Pandora.

“The local community center — glamourous, right?” sassed Holly. “The thing is, I don’t know what people would find fun around here.”

“Same things they find fun anywhere,” said Jack. “How about sledding down ice flumes?”

“Where the heck did you grow up where that’s how you spend the holidays?” asked Holly, raising a brow.

“He’s, uh, not exactly big into Christmas — yet,” said Pandora. “Hanging around me and my dad, the holiday cheer is bound to rub off on this humbug one of these days.”

“Ha-ha,” said Jack, rolling his eyes.

“Believe it or not, Jack secretly loves Christmas,” whispered Pandora. “I just pretend to buy into his whole ‘icy bad boy’ thing because it’s his current vibe or whatever.”

“You know I’m standing right here and heard every word, right?” asked Jack.

“As I was saying…event, holidays, has to be something Christmassy, but, I don’t know what I should organize,” said Holly. “All the standard events are being put on by other groups in town. The chamber of commerce has organized a caroling party. The yarn store down the street is running a used sweater drive for the needy. Even the hardware store’s hosting a frikkin’ seminar on Christmas light safety!”

“So don’t put on a standard event,” said Jack. “Try something non-standard — like, apparently, sledding down ice flumes butt-naked.”

“I think the people of The Wreath are going to want to keep their naughty bits and not have them frozen off,” said Pandora, crossing her arms. “But…Jack’s got a point. Try doing something non-standard, something special, something that you would want to do.”

“Something I’d want to do?” mused Holly. Images flashed through her head — bright pink and white bouquets, tied up in rose pink organza with champagne ribbons. She smelled jasmine, violet, and even the sweet, herbal scent of chamomile. She smiled to herself.

“I know that look,” said Pandora. “I see it on my dad’s workers’ faces when they get a great idea. So, little Christmas elf — what’s your genius idea?”

“It’s nothing,” said Holly, and the images faded from her mind. “It’s a stupid idea.”

“Try me,” said Pandora.

“Well…recently, I saw pictures of a really nice event where singles came and met other singles. It was held in a garden, in the spring, and they made bouquets, floral cocktails, and danced…after a round of speed dating, of course,” said Holly.

“That doesn’t sound like a dumb idea to me,” said Jack.

“It doesn’t?” asked Holly.

“Not at all,” said Jack. “Just sub in Christmas stuff for all that fancy-schmancy floral stuff.”

“Pandora was right about you,” said Holly with a grin. “You really are a big softie on the inside.”

“How did you come across the original event that inspired you?” asked Pandora.

“There’s this guy…but, it’s not important,” said Holly.

“A guy? Now you have to dish,” said Pandora, taking a seat. “Jack, go outside and make a snowman or somethin’. We need to have some girl time.”

Jack saluted Pandora and headed outside.

“So, who is he?” asked Pandora.

“His name is Rowan,” said Holly.

“And?” asked Pandora.

“And he used to come see me every day, but, for the last week or so, things have been…awkward, to say the least,” said Holly.

“Awkward?” asked Pandora.

“He’s a shifter — reindeer shifter — and, well, I’m not his fated mate,” said Holly. “I’m just an ugly duckling. He used to come and hang out at the bakery. Remember the day he helped me hang up all the lights and decorations? Now, he just comes over, gets the food ordered by Camp Kringle, and bounces. Some days, all Rowan says is a quick ‘hi.’ Not even a ‘goodbye’ or heck, even a ‘Merry Christmas!’”

“Wait — are you talking about Rowan frikkin’ Hooligan?” asked Pandora.

“Yeah,” said Holly. “How did you know?”

“I, uh, work closely with my dad — Santana — and Rowan’s his temp this year,” said Pandora. “I saw his file. He’s a matchmaker. Makes sense that he’d be the one to inspire you to do a speed dating event. Are things too awkward for you to ask him for help organizing this thing?”

“Honestly, I’d love the help — but I’m too embarrassed to ask him for it, especially given, y’know, the fact I’m not his fated mate,” hissed Holly.

“Oh, you mean you two…” started Pandora, and then, she made an ‘O’ with one finger, poking her index finger back and forth through it.”

“Yes, okay? And I’m not the one,” said Holly. “We’re not like you and Jack.”

“You think me and Jack are mates?” asked Pandora. “Oh my gosh. No. We’re just best friends.”

“Really?” asked Holly, quirking a brow. “I’ve seen the way you two look at each other.”

“You’re reading too much into it,” said Pandora, blushing. “We’re just friends — really.”

“If you’re just friends, then maybe you two should come to the speed dating event and prove it,” said Holly.

“Challenge accepted,” said Pandora. “Now, how exactly do you envision this event playing out?”

“I don’t know yet,” said Holly. “Mind brainstorming with me?”

“Of course not,” said Pandora. “Jack’s got the snow to occupy him and keep him out of trouble. Let’s put together the best Christmas singles’ event The Wreath has ever seen!”