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#Superstar

“This place is hopping!” Marci said, pressing a cup of coffee into Joy’s hand. “I figured you needed a pick-me-up.”

“You’re not kidding,” Joy said, smiling. “Your idea to run this in shifts was a great one. Shoppers get all the time they need while the other groups are eating, talking to Santa, or listening to the story.”

“It was the only way to keep it from devolving into unorganized chaos,” Marci said. “I’ll give Kian credit for a great idea.”

“The idea may have been his, but you made this happen. You’re the Superstar here, not Kian.”

Marci shoulder-bumped Joy with a shy grin. “Mr. Sanderson is a Superstar too!”

Joy couldn’t disagree. “I had no idea he had such amazing storytelling skills! I don’t know about you, but I think we should talk to him about hosting Storytime Saturdays. Parents could bring kids by age group, depending on which book he picks for that day. He could read the book and then offer parents a small discount if they’re purchasing a copy.”

“Fantastic idea, Joy!” Marci exclaimed. “Let me know what he says, and I’ll make it happen.”

“Nope,” Joy said, turning to her friend. “You run with it. I’m officially naming you the special events coordinator. You’re doing the job anyway, but now you’re going to get paid for it. After all this, you deserve a raise.”

“No,” Marci said, shaking her head. “I was happy to do this to bring Kian’s idea to life and to honor Lorelei, who would have loved it.”

Joy’s eyes filled with tears as she nodded, biting back the sob that wanted to escape when she opened her mouth to speak. Instead, she took a sip of her coffee until she had herself under control. “She would be right in the thick of this if she were here.”

“She is here,” Marci said, motioning toward Santa as he spoke with a little boy. “She’s here in him, in you, in me, in this mall, in the legacy we’re building.”

“Yeah,” Joy agreed, a tear slipping over her lashes before she wiped it away. “You’re right. That’s why I know she’d want me to reward you for your hard work and to let you spread your wings in something you excel at. We don’t have a special events coordinator for the mall, but we need one. If you want the job, it’s yours.”

“Really? I’ve never heard you talk about needing one,” Marci pointed out.

“Probably because it had never been on my radar before Lorelei died.”

Marci tossed her head back, her mouth opening for a moment. “She was that person.”

“We just didn’t see it,” Joy whispered. “Since she died, we’ve been in a constant state of grief while juggling everything here at the mall. I’d love to host more events, including concerts and book signings. If you’re up to the task, let me talk with Kian. After the new year, we’ll put together a job description and a salary.”

“What about my position as assistant GM?” Marci asked, concerned.

“Let me talk to Kian, and then we’ll work it all out after the holidays. All I’ll say is that I can find an assistant more easily than I can find someone with natural talent who can put something like this together in a matter of days,” she said, motioning around them.

“It would be better to have more than a few days,” she said, laughter in her voice. “What the hell did I walk in on yesterday? I wanted to come over last night, but I got detained.”

“Detained,” Joy said, fighting back a smile. “Is that what you’re calling him?” When she glanced at the wrapping paper station, she couldn’t help but notice August Reyes was wrapping a box for a little boy waiting at the table.

“August wanted to get a drink,” Marci said with a shrug. “Then we had dinner, and he dropped me off at home. There was no passionate press against the wall with his lips on my neck.”

When Joy noticed Marci’s toe tapping, she couldn’t help but smile. “You know I’m not one to kiss and tell, but I’ll have to tell you the story when we aren’t surrounded by young children.”

“Is it X-rated?” she asked in a stage whisper.

“No,” Joy answered, laughing into her cup. “But—”

“Joy!” Carol Nauss called out when she saw them standing there. “This is fantastic! I can’t believe you thought of it just a week ago.”

With one hand clutched to her chest, Joy shook her head. “I had nothing to do with this. I was at a meeting out of town while Marci handled everything.”

“You should hire that girl,” Carol said, winking. “May I steal you for a moment?”

With a wave to Marci, Joy followed Carol to the booth they’d set up for the food pantry. The event was certainly eye-opening, and as she talked with Carol, she struggled to stay focused, especially when she heard Santa’s HO-HO-HO and the jingle bells ringing.