The two men stepped away from Justin, looking uncomfortable.
“You can fight about your casting issues at a later date,” Justin said.
“Yes,” Oliver agreed.“That would be a good idea.Right now, we’re trying to create a festive event for our visitors.”
Saint Nicholas cast an unimpressed glance at Oliver, which garnered a grimace in response from my friend.But Oliver had been an actor himself since he was a toddler, so he knew how dramatic other actors could be, and he quickly blew off the judgy look, clapped his hands, and said loudly, “Come on.Let’s create a wonderful Christmas in July experience for everyone today.That’s what you’re getting paid for.”
Okay, so he couldn’t resist getting in a little dig.
The two men parted ways, heading in opposite directions.Brandy rushed over to Justin, wrapping her arms around him as if he had just confronted an armed robber and wrestled the perpetrator to the ground.
“You handled that so well,” she gushed.
Justin looked a bit uncomfortable at her praise.Even he realized it was too much given the situation.
But that didn’t stop him from tipping an imaginary hat and saying, “Just doing my job, ma’am.”
Brandy giggled riotously again as they headed back down the alleyway of vendors, leaving me with my longtime bestie.
Oliver shook his head, then said with sincere woe, “Brandy is a drag these days.”
I couldn’t contain my nod of saddened agreement.“I keep hoping this besotted stage will end and she’ll become normal again.”
Oliver shook his head, watching them walking away, Brandy still draped on Justin’s arm.“She is just so bad at being in love.”
I wanted to be kind, but I found myself nodding again.
“Speaking of love, I’m going to go on the assumption that Cameron didn’t tell you about his little surprise.”
I blinked.I should have expected Oliver to bring up the unexpected visit of my parents, but I was still processing it myself.
But my expression said everything Oliver needed to continue.“I didn’t know either.I would have definitely spilled the beans on that one.”
Oliver knew I loved my parents and I loved surprises.But the combination of those two things together?Not a good fit.
A strange pang of anxiety churned in my belly.I still couldn’t say why I was reacting this way.
“Cameron was just trying to do something nice for me,” I said.As soon as I said it, I realized my defense of him sounded painfully weak.
Oliver lifted an eyebrow which nearly disappeared under the brim of his top hat.“I know you’re happy to see your parents, but I also know you need time to prep yourself to deal with Momma Lea.”
Oliver had experienced my mother many, many times since our early teens.Oliver was one of my friends that my mother always liked, but Oliver also knew how to charm even the most difficult person.Which made him a great person to be the innkeeper of this posh—newly restored—inn.
But I also knew Oliver’s wasn’t bringing this up to discuss my parents.He wanted to know what I felt about Cameron flying my parents in from California.
How did I feel?Like it was overstepping our agreement.Okay, we hadn’t made an agreement about meeting family, per se.I still thought that it was something we’d discuss.Together.
But I didn’t want didn’t want to discuss any of this with Oliver.Not right now, with tons of people around and my thoughts all convoluted.
Rather than talk about it any further, I changed the topic.
“We should probably go find my booth.Things are going to get started soon, and I want to make sure Jimmy has everything he needs.”
Jimmy was my cook, and he and Janelle, one of my other servers, should already be here, getting things set up.
Oliver looked as if he wanted to say something more, but instead, he nodded.“I have a lot to do too.We’ll catch up later, right?”
I could tell he was worried about my reaction.I usually was an open book, always sharing more than I should.
