“Look, I’m leaving, okay?” she asked, throwing a long black coat over her elf suit.  Knowing it would be cold out; she still wanted to get out of there as fast as she could.  If that meant being frozen to death on the way to her car, then that is what would happen.

He pulled his hat, beard, and eyebrows off as she stood there.  His brown hair came into view, just long enough for someone to run their hands through, but it barely touched the top of his ears.  The blue eyes smiled at her, and the wrinkles around them were only sign that the man had to be at least in his thirties.  Her mother had called them laugh lines, and Faith could believe it with this man.

“Faith,” he said in a disappointed tone.  “I know you don’t believe in Christmas for your own reasons, but surely you could allow others to celebrate it.”

“They can,” she told him, but the smile he sent her diminished when she continued, “at home.”

His Santa suit disappeared, revealing a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.  She looked at his clothing skeptically.  The body underneath it might have been fantastic, but he was also going to freeze if that was all he had for protection against the chill.

“You’re clothes,” she inquired, not being able to keep herself from saying anything.

He shrugged.  “It’s just a quick run to my car, and it has a great heater.”

“If you say so,” she mumbled.  “I’m going to leave.  What time do I have to be here tomorrow?”

“Eight to help set up.”

Nodding at him, she began walking out of the mall.  She knew that the guards would lock up behind her.  They were great men, men she planned to keep on when she went through and fired most of the other staff.  The doors slide open, blasting cold air onto her cheeks.  Taking a deep breath, she dashed for her car. 

If it weren’t for the fact that she had been wearing high heels since she could pick out her own shoes, she would have slipped on the ice that coated the sidewalk.  Someone was going to have to do something about that before a person slipped.  Her hand palmed her key ring.  Pressing the unlock key twice, she let out a sigh as the lights came on and the doors unlocked.

As soon as she got to the door, she yanked it open and jumped in.  Placing the key into the ignition, she waited for the usual noise of the engine to roar to life.  There was just one problem; there was no roaring coming from the car.  Letting out a quiet yell, she pounded her fist on the steering wheel.  “Damn, damn, damn.”

The knock on her window made her jump.  An unattractive squeak left her mouth before the person’s face finally came into view.  Glaring at Nick, she pushed the door open.  Not ready for it, the door smacked him in the forehead.  Her hand snapped over her mouth to keep from laughing.  “Oh gosh, are you okay?”

“You’re laughing,” he said with a smile.  “Everything is perfect.”

Whereas his comment would usually remind her to mask her expression, she chose not to.  This time, she was keeping the smile on her face for everyone to see.  Maybe, the cold was making her delusional.

“My car won’t start.”

Chuckling, he nodded.  “I figured that when you started beating her.  Come on, I’ll give you a ride.”

“I can’t just leave my car here.  What if someone steals it?”

“Lady, I don’t think anyone would want to steal this hunk of trash.  Has the thought crossed your mind that the reason it won’t start is because it’s older than my great grandmother?”

“Ha-ha,” she mocked while rolling her eyes.  Pushing the door open further, she grabbed her keys and locked the doors.  As she stood from the car and slammed her door, she motioned towards the other vehicles.  “Be my guest.”

“I will; just don’t be upset when my car outruns Grandmother.”

“You are not naming my car Grandmother,” she mumbled, following behind him.  He passed the vehicle she assumed to be his and stopped beside a large truck.  “I thought you said car.”

“Did I?” he asked, laughter in his eyes.  “Slip of the tongue.”

He popped the passenger’s door open and held his hand out to help her in. Taking the offered hand, she slipped into the seat.  He slammed the door before running around the truck.  Only when he got in did she realize how much he was shaking from the cold.  “You’re an idiot.  Hurry and turn on the heater.”  She slipped the coat from her shoulders.  “And put this on your legs.”

“Keep your jacket on,” he demanded, starting the truck.  She tossed it at him anyway.  Letting out a groan, he just shook his head at her.

They pulled out of the parking lot, and by the time they were on the main road, the inside of the truck was a nice, toasty, warm haven.  “Just take the next left.”

“Oh, did I say I was taking you home,” he chuckled, “because I’m not, if you were wondering.”

“Where are you taking me?”

He smiled over at her before turning his eyes back to the road.  “My parent’s house.  Every year, we have a pre-Christmas celebration for all the people who are going out of town for Christmas.”

“You are not taking me there.”

“Oh yes I am,” he said in an emotionless voice, “and you’re going to love it.”

Sinking down into her seat, she knew he wasn't right.  She wouldn’t love it.  Hell, she would be surprised if she could go the whole night without ripping Frosty the Snowman’s head off.