“Well, he kind of proposed to me.”

“Hot damn!” Mimi cried. “I’m not surprised. I could tell he was smitten the way he looked at you. What did you say?”

“I said maybe. Mimi, it’s all too fast.”

“I get that. And Christmas is so emotionally powerful, we all get caught up in the magic.”

“So you think I should say no.”

“What? NO! I mean, do not say no. I could see the way you looked at him, too. I’ve never seen you look like that at any man.”

“Oh, Mimi, what shall I do?”

“Let your heart lead you,” Mimi said.

Listen to her, her Inner Christina said. She’s right. Or you can listen to me ’cause I’ll say the same thing and I won’t politely shut up.

“You’re so bossy,” Christina told herself.

“I don’t mean to be bossy,” Mimi said. “You asked—”

“No, no, Mimi, I didn’t mean you!” Christina thought fast. “I mean that, um, Mittens is bossy. She’s always whapping her tail against my legs. She wants more food. I’d better feed her. And, Mimi, thank you for the advice.”

“You’re welcome. Merry Christmas, Christina!”

—

Some Christmas cookies had been left for her, so Christina ate a reindeer, a snowman, and a star for her breakfast. She lounged on the sofa as she talked on the phone, to Louise and to Dora, who had gotten an American Girl doll from Santa and wanted to describe every accessory. To Wink, who was bursting with the news that Santa had given her a makeup kit AND a sparkly slime-making kit. To Georgina Smithers, who had been one of Christina’s mother’s best friends.

And to Harriet and Jacob, who quite obviously had spent the night together.

“Isn’t this wonderful, Christina?” Harriet asked. She’d secluded herself in the bathroom of her apartment so she could whisper in privacy.

“It is wonderful. And totally surprising.”

“We’re taking time to get to know each other,” Harriet said. “I hope this ends up happily ever after, but right now, I’m just happy to enjoy the day.”

“That’s wise of you, Harriet,” Christina said.

“It is, isn’t it? Who would have thought!”

When her phone calls tapered off, Christina dressed quickly and hurried down to her store to choose presents for Andy, Wink, and the others. Back home, she wrapped them all and tucked them into a book bag.