“You have to have a turn. Allegra got one and she’s just little,” Dante says, always so helpful.

I look at Kenzie, and she rushes forward. “That’s all the time Santa has, everyone. Let’s say goodbye to him.”

I stand from the chair as the adults all cheer and the little ones rush me to give me a hug. They’re so forceful I almost fall backward but manage to catch myself.

“Okay, little ones. You keep being good for your parents and I think you’ll find you’ll be happy on Christmas morning.” I pat them on their backs, and as soon as they let me go, I make my way to the condo door.

“Why is he going out the door?” Dante says.

“I think his magic only works on Christmas,” Arianna says.

“Bye, children!” I give them one final wave before I open the door, Kenzie behind me. “Merry Christmas!”

“I’ll meet you downstairs shortly,” Kenzie whispers then shuts the door.

“You were amazing!” Kenzie comes rushing toward me out of the elevator.

I’m glad she’s here. The front desk guy was starting to look at me as though he was going to call the cops to escort me out.

She wraps her arms around my neck, giving me a big hug. “You really saved me in there. Thank you!” Then she pulls down the beard to kiss me.

I keep it decent since I can feel the guy at the desk staring a hole through my back.

“You probably didn’t eat before you got here. Do you want to stop somewhere before we go back to my place?” she asks.

“Are we headed back to your place?”

She shrugs. “Well, that’s where the elf costume is so…”

I grin. “Then I’m definitely going to need some sustenance if I’m going to have any kind of stamina. Something quick though. Let’s stop at a sandwich shop or a café on the way. You sure you don’t mind that I’m dressed like this?”

Kenzie gives me the once-over. “Are you kidding? The fact that you’re even willing to be seen in public in that thing is like a wet dream. I think I’m rubbing off on you.”

I take the bag she’s carrying and reach for her hand, being sure to give the guy behind the desk a wink as we pass.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

“What? Nothing,” Kenzie says—or lies, would be a more apt description.

“Bullshit. You do this thing with your nose when you don’t like something.” I pick up my sandwich out of the wax paper and take a bite. Bloody hell, they gave me the wrong sandwich.

“What thing with my nose?” She tilts her head.