Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 22971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 115(@200wpm)___ 92(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
“There is something else I wanted to talk to you about.” She folds her hands across her chest. It’s something I’ve noticed she does when she’s really worried. “There’s talk about him shutting the mall down.”
I gasp at her words. Close the mall down? I love this place. I don’t think I could ever find a job like this one, one where my sole focus is spreading joy and laughter. I need this job. When my mom passed away two years ago, I was lost and lonely. When I got this job, I found myself smiling again and wanting to make others smile, too.
“You want me to try to talk to him?” I edge. Either way, I’m doing it. No way am I letting him shut this place down. There are so many people with businesses here. I’ve made a little family here, and now this place is all I have.
“Christmas.” She takes a breath, letting her hands drop. “Shit. I feel like I’m sending a lamb to a tiger.”
I scrunch my eyebrows in confusion.
She shakes her head. “Everyone around here loves you, Christmas. You’re a breath of fresh air. You have this innocence about you.”
I feel my cheeks warm, not sure what she is getting at.
“He requested you specifically. He wants you.”
I feel myself warm even more. No, that can’t be right. He doesn’t even know me.
“I don’t think—”
She cuts me off. “See? Innocent.”
“So what are you saying?”
“Be careful is all, and maybe if you get his ear, you can see about saving the mall.”
I grab my jacket off my chair and pick up my box of cookies.
“I got this,” I tell her, suddenly feeling like I have a major purpose. I want to save the mall and all the future Christmases it might have.
* * *