Mr. Grumpy's Christmas Date by Cat Johnson

Author:Cat Johnson [Johnson, Cat]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-10-02T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER 18

Xander swung open the door of the taxi and extended one leg, then remembered it was winter in New York and more likely than not there’d be some sort of slushy mess along the curb.

He glanced down and indeed there was. Extending his leg over it, he stepped safely onto the sidewalk and slammed the door behind him. Satisfied with his victory, small though it was, he found himself whistling as he made his way across the stream of pedestrians and to the door of the office building.

There he paused as the clang of a bell caught his attention.

It was early, barely nine a.m., but Sidewalk Santa had already set up for the day.

He rang his bell with an energy that would likely be depleted by the time Xander left for the day. That would probably be sometime after six tonight—if the west coast didn’t want to Zoom in the afternoon their time, forgetting that would be evening his time.

But Xander had been in and out of this door enough times this December to know no matter how late he left, Santa was still there. Ringing his bell, collecting coins and small bills in the city that never sleeps.

That kind of dedication deserved some recognition. And as much as he hated the added noise in a city that already had too much, he was going to offer that recognition. Today.

It was a cold one. Not as cold as upstate when the wind whipping past his face on the snowmobile had felt like ice daggers leaving a thousand cuts on any exposed skin. But still cold to be standing outside all day, even covered in a red velvet suit.

He hadn’t been in the Starbucks on the corner more than a handful of times because they had decent coffee in the break room upstairs, but today he wouldn’t mind a cappuccino with an extra shot of espresso, extra foam, sprinkled with cinnamon. Merry had made him one at her house and now, if his craving was any indication, he was hooked.

Pivoting, he headed toward the familiar green logo and pushed open the glass door. When the barista asked what he wanted, he ordered his drink, then said, “Two of those, please.”

Grabbing a handful of sugar and sugar substitute packets and shoving them in his pocket, he carried the two paper cups outside and directly over to the big guy himself.

“Morning.”

Santa turned at the greeting. “Good morning.”

“I thought you could use something warm to drink. Chilly out here.” He thrust one cup forward.

After a brief hesitation, Santa took it. “Uh, thanks.”

“Oh, wait.” Xander shoved his hand in his pocket and offered the multi-colored jumble of packets to the man. “Here.”

Santa’s brows rose as he set his bell down and opened his palm to accept Xander’s offering. “Thanks.”

“One more thing,” Xander switched his own coffee to the other hand and plunged his now free hand into his other pocket. He drew out a ten-dollar bill, his change from buying the coffee and shoved it into the slot of the red kettle.

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