She saw the spark leave his eyes, but the smile stayed in place.  How could anyone keep smiling when they knew bad news was about to come their way?  When he had told her she should smile more, her natural reaction was to hide behind a blank expression. That was what her father taught her, never show emotion to those who are meant to respect you.  ‘Don’t strive for pity, Faith,’ her father used to tell her.  ‘Strive for respect.’

“Mister…” she trailed off, hoping the man would fill in his name.

He waved a hand dismissively.  “Call me Nick.”

Mentally rolling her eyes at the name, she nodded her head.  “You can call me what you wish, but I would prefer Faith.”

“I’m surprised,” he admitted, and when she did not comment on his statement, he began to explain.  “You seem like a woman who would prefer to be called by her last name, especially by someone who was beneath her.”

Her face flushed slightly, but the man wasn’t mocking her whatsoever.  He was simply making an observation.  Clearing her throat, she straightened in her seat.  “I am planning to end your display.”

The smile dimmed, but that wasn’t what hurt the most.  As the disappointment flashed in his eyes, she had a strange urge to take the words back, to apologize for even thinking to do something like that, but she couldn’t change her mind.  It was made up, and once something was made up, there was no going back.

“I’ll pay you.”

“What?” she asked in shock.  “What do you mean, you’ll pay me?”

“Just that,” he answered with a nod.  “I may not be as rich as you, but I have enough to rent the area out.  I’m guessing that your only relevant excuse for closing the display is because of cost?”

“Well, yeah,” she answered, caught off guard.  She had never expected the man to offer to pay the expenses.

He leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile on his face.  “There, problem solved.  Anything else you wanted to speak to me about?”

“Yes, I was wondering how long you think that woman should be working around children?”

They both knew the question wasn’t a real one.  It had nothing to do with her money, her mall.  She just wanted to keep talking to this strangely happy man. 

His eyes crinkled in the corners as laughter entered his eyes.  He had enough grace not to comment on the fact that she just wanted to keep talking to him; he also had enough kindness not to actually laugh at her.  “Rachel?  I can’t find another person that will dress up as an elf, and those who will can’t because of work.”

“I just don’t think it’s wise for a sick person to be working with kids,” she said with a shrug.

His eyes lit up as he leaned forward in his chair.  “You really care about these kids?”

“Of course,” she replied slowly, feeling as if she was about to step in a bear trap.

“If you knew someone who had nothing else to do, that could fit in the suit, and could help the children out without it affecting their income, would you ask them to help?”

“Um, sure.”

“So,” he drew out, “you going to help or what?”

Her mouth dropped open before snapping close.  He was serious?  He wanted her, who wanted nothing to do with Christmas, to dress up as an elf and help children get their dreams crushed?

“No, I’m not doing it.”

“Look, Faith,” he said with a sigh.  “You don’t want those children sick during one of the only times they get to stay home from school and spend time with family, do you?”  She shook her head at him.  “So, you’re going to help?” he cajoled.  Her head nodded before she could even think about the motion.

Smiling, he jumped from his seat before rounding the table.  His arms wrapped around her in a tight hug that pulled her from her seat.  Setting her back on her feet, he smiled down at her.  “You won’t regret it; I promise you.”

“I hope not,” she mumbled while pulling away from him.  Straightening her black jacket, she let out a sigh.  There was red fuzziness all over her new black suit.