“Isyour companyMerchifyYourBrand?”
Thistime, my eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Youknow us?Usually, people don’t.”Itap a finger on my lips. “Letme guess.Youknow because of the secret spy thing.”
Anexpression flashes onHammy’sface that’s hard to read. “Yes.Asa spy,I’veoften found that promotional sunglasses are great for going undercover at beach resorts, especially when they’re comically large ones.Espionageand sunbathing overlap more than you’d think.Oh, and those glow-in-the-dark key chains are surprisingly handy for marking covert drop locations at night.”
“Andlet me guess.Youget the branded magnets for securing mission blueprints to the fridge in the spy lounge?”
“Ididn’t realize our secret was out.Didyou also know that we use custom mouse pads and spy logo mugs as consolation prizes for operatives who get stuck with desk duty?”
“Ididn’t.ButIheard you use the branded lip balm before tense negotiations because chapped lips—”
“—are the real enemy,” we both say at the same time.Ican’t help laughing.Hammyis so fun to talk to. “We’vebeen missingout on so many customers by not marketing to spy agencies!I’llhave to talk to our sales department.”
“Youmight double your profits.”
HammyandIsmile at each other for a moment before he climbs down.Ashe’s moving the ladder to the next area, he says, “Actually,Iwork for a business solutions company whereIdo a lot of graphic design and corporate branding.Icreate the images, andIrecommend our clients order their promotional products from your company.”
Asmile spreads across my face.I’veworked tirelessly atMerchifyYourBrand.Meetingsomeone who’s been recommending us to their clients is like spotting a unicorn in the wild.
Mostlybecause ofHammy’sefficiency, we finish much too soon.Reesesends us to the sidewalk in front of my house, does a dramatic countdown, and then turns on the holiday lights.Weall clap and cheer.Ieven get a little teary-eyed.Lightsare one of my favorite things aboutChristmas, andIdidn’t thinkI’dget to see them on my house this year.
Notonly doIwant to thank everyone for making my house look so festive and beautiful butIwant to talk more withHammy, soIinvite everyone in for hot chocolate.IgetSparkfood and water first since she’s been so patient.AsI’mopening my cupboards and fridge to get ingredients,Isay, “Ihave a recipeImade when my kids got together with friends to sled downDoomslideSummit.”
“Iloved that place,”Reesesays wistfully before adding a much more robust, “IsurvivedDoomslide!” as she throws her fist into the air.
Iloved the place, too, because of how much happiness it brought my kiddos.Ifind the recipe to make sureIhaven’t forgotten anything over the years.Whew!I’mnot missing any ingredients.
AsI’mpouring milk into the pot,Reesecomes over andIsay, “Ican’t believe you set this all up.Thankyou.”
“Ican’t believe you came home early.”Shepops a chocolate chip into her mouth.
“Todaywould’ve been less embarrassing ifI’dkept my original flight, that’s for sure.”
Reesegrins. “Well, you’ve been saying you want more excitement in your life.”
“Notin the form of me accusing ‘Santa’sElf’ of being aGrinch!”Although, chatting withHammydid start to fill my empty need-for-excitement bucket.
“Youdon’t have enough excitement in your life?”Hammyasks.
Ishrug. “Ihaven’t done anything simply for fun in so long.Betweenrunning a business and running a family,Ididn’t have anything left for fun.”
“Weshould change that,”Hammysays. “Howabout the two of us sled downDoomslideSummittomorrow night?It’ssupposed to snow in the morning, so there’ll be fresh stuff waiting for us.We’llpack the most fun into one night as possible.”
Asmile spreads across my face.I’venever wanted to date just for entertainment.Butgoing on a date withHammyfor pure enjoyment is somethingIcan’t pass up. “Themost amount of fun possible?Obviously,Ihave to say yes.”
Hammysmiles. “It’sa date, then.”
Iturn to stir the hot cocoa and smile.Adate.I’vegot myselfa date.
CHAPTER 3
FUN ANNETTE, MEET ADVENTURE HAMMY
Hammy
Thesnowfall stopped early this afternoon.Theplows have cleared the roads, the skies are clear, and the moon and stars are lighting the newly fallen snow.Theperfect conditions for a first date.Ihaven’t stopped thinking about it all day.
Iglance atAnnette, whoIpicked up moments ago.Notonly is she dressed in warm enough gear that we won’t have to stop because of the cold, but she has a grin on her face like she’s legitimately excited.
