Mistletoe Magic by Lynn Patrick Page A

brows drawn, her mouth tense, Melissa struggled through the still-crowded store. Just before she reached the revolving doors she was surprised to hear the familiar voice of her boss, Huxley Benton.
    “Hmm. I can tell you’re not in a party mood tonight.”
    “Is it that obvious?” Melissa asked, pausing next to the cosmetics counter where he stood.
    “I’m afraid so. But I have to admit it’s nice to see someone without a big dose of disgusting Christmas cheer written all over them. These holidays wear me out.”
    Glancing at the wry expression on his handsome face, Melissa wondered if Hux was really as cynical as he seemed to be—or had he raised a defensive shield because he, too, was spending the holiday alone? She wasn’t about to ask. Instead, she took the opportunity to broach the topic of future employment.
    “Say, Hux, remember those test shots you wanted?”
    “How could I forget? They were terrific. You really have some kind of magic, kid. I’ve presented a few new promotion ideas to the other execs. Don’t worry, I have you in mind. Budgeting decisions will be made in a few weeks, after all this holiday folderol is over. I promise I’ll let you know the minute the idea’s approved.”
    “No problem.” Backing away toward the door, Melissa smiled to hide her disappointment that the news was not more definite. “You’ve got my number. It’s best if you call me mornings.”
    “Right. Or I’ll pass the message through Rafe. By the way, you two have a good one.”
    Wondering if she should tell Hux she and Rafe wouldn’t be spending the holiday together, she realized he was already distracted by a willowy redhead inspecting the cosmetics counter. He murmured something about taking her to a wild party after the store closed. Perhaps she’d been correct about Hux’s having no one with whom to spend the holiday. Melissa quickly headed out of Haldan-Northrop and onto Fifth Avenue.
    Even though it was scarcely an hour before the stores closed, people were busy with last-minute Christmas shopping. Arms loaded high with packages, they hurried down the street and jostled each other for space on overcrowded busses. One pedestrian ran into her, almost knocking her over while rushing to the curb to flag down an empty taxi. The woman didn’t even stop to see if Melissa was all right.
    Melissa thought of her own family and home. Were the Pennsylvania mountains already blanketed with snow? Manhattan had been overcast all day, gloomy with the threat of snow which had not yet fallen. Would New York have a white Christmas? All that remained of the previous week’s snowfall were dwindling piles scattered here and there, heavily encrusted with the gray soot of the city.
    Melissa couldn’t help it if her thoughts were equally gray: she needed a job, but more than that, she needed Rafe.
    The subway ride was more boisterous than usual. Ignoring the good cheer, Melissa quietly kept to herself, banishing thoughts of Rafe and thinking instead of her family. She wondered if her parents and brothers had received the package of presents she’d sent more than a week ago. Maybe she’d call them when she got home. That might help pick up her spirits.
    But upon entering the vestibule of her building she had yet another disappointment awaiting her, a letter from her ex-roommate, who still had title to the lease on the apartment.
    Melissa read the letter as she climbed the six flights of stairs. By the time she got to her landing she was fighting tears. Returning to New York in the spring, Julie and her husband planned to move into the apartment. Melissa would understand. And since she had until April 1, there’d be no problem with her finding another apartment for herself, right?
    A few straggling tears rolled down Melissa’s cheeks as she unlocked her door and turned on the kitchen light. Dragging her feet over the worn linoleum, she made her way to the bedroom and hung up her costume, after which she found a box of