“Are you ready for this?”
Hugh rises from his desk chair and smoothes his dark gray slacks. “I don’t know why I’m so nervous. I’ve been running Santa’s Village for years. This isn’t so different.”
Butterflies are staging a riot in my stomach, so I can only imagine how he must feel. I don’t tell him that, though. It’s been three long months of red tape, contractors, finding businesses willing to join our venture, hiring staff, and deciding on a new name. It’s now July first, Canada Day, and today is the grand opening of Bellevue Village.
Hugh comes out from behind his desk, and I meet him halfway. His hands settle on my hips and mine straighten his tie, then move to his shoulders. “Have I told you lately how proud I am of you?”
His answering smile dazzles me. “As proud as I am of you, love.” He presses his lips to my forehead. “You’ve worked just as hard as I have to get things going.”
I give a one-shouldered shrug, attempting modesty even though he’s right. We’ve both put our heart and soul into this new incarnation of Santa’s Village. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nearly bursting with pride.
We’ve had a lot of help, though. As soon as we got the go-ahead to get started on plans, Hugh asked Meredith to join our team as one of the Village’s managers. We hired Quest to be in charge of marketing and PR, with Bridget taking the lead. As Hugh’s partner, I have a lot of say in how things are run, but I couldn’t do it all on my own, especially since I’m still working at Pied Piper Books.
Piper was one of the first people Hugh and I invited to open a store in the Village. She got dibs on the already-existing buildings, and chose a shop in a prime location. We’ve hired a small team of staff, and she and I will go back and forth between the Village and Pied Piper’s.
“I have to admit, I miss the Santa suit,” I tell Hugh.
He chuckles. “You’ll see it again soon enough. Think I’ll be able to convince you to resume elf duty this year?”
I groan, picturing the costume. The Village will be returning to Christmas mode through November and December. I assumed I wouldn’t have to do elf duty since I’ll be busy helping to run the place, but Hugh has already agreed to resume his role as Santa. It wasn’t so bad, I guess. It made the kids happy, and a lot of the adults too, if the number of selfies I posed for last year were any indication. “We’ll see.”
“We’ll see,” he repeats. “I’m sure I can find ways to convince you.”
“I’m sure you can too.” We’re just about to kiss when there’s a brisk knock on the door and Meredith peeks her head in. She’s wielding a clipboard and wearing the headset that’s practically become an extra appendage the last few weeks.
“Everything’s ready,” she says. “All your friends are in the lounge waiting to see you first, and everyone else is gathering in the staff area. Gates open in twenty minutes.” She takes a step away from the door and pauses. “Oh, and Hugh, everything is confirmed for your sister’s wedding. I forwarded all the confirmations to your email. You guys had better bring me back a truckload of shortbread.” She flashes us a smile, then disappears.
I turn back to Hugh, unable to contain my smile. “I can’t believe we’re spending a month in Scotland. I still feel like I’m dreaming.” This whole year has felt like a dream. I’ve become one of those totally obnoxious upbeat people who’s always smiling. I love it. I think some of my positivity is even wearing off on Celia. I imagine she’ll always be at least a little snarky, but now it comes from a place of love.
“I hope you still feel that way at the end of the summer after helping run two businesses,” Hugh says.
“I couldn’t ask for better business partners.” I inch up on my tiptoes until our faces are only a breath apart. “Or a sexier one.”
“Sexier, hmm? Are you talking about me or Piper?” He dips forward and nips at my bottom lip.
I give his tie a light tug. “You.” I press my lips to his, wanting him to feel all the happiness and love I’m feeling. “Only you.”
~*~*~*~