Mistletoe by Lyn Gardner

folder across her desk. “Apparently, I was wrong.”
    Saddened by the look on Jamie’s face, Linda said, “Maybe she didn’t know that Gwen wasn’t going to be there. I mean, I don’t tell my friends all my plans.”
    “I suppose.”
    “Why don’t you just give her a call and invite her personally, then you’ll know for sure.”
    “I don’t have her number.”
    “Well, that’s certainly not like you.”
    “She told me she’d be there, and I believed her,” Jamie said, rocking back in her chair.
    Reaching over, Linda moved Jamie’s laptop to the edge of the desk. Tapping her fingers over the keys, she asked, “How does she spell it?”
    “Spell what?” Jamie asked, looking up. “What in the world are you doing?”
    “I’m doing an Internet search. Now, how does she spell her last name? With or without an e?”
    “I have no idea.”
    Taking a deep breath, Linda said, “Well, I do enjoy a challenge. Let’s see what I can find.”
    A few minutes passed before Linda moved the laptop back to its original position. “It appears that between the two spellings, there are twenty-seven Diana Clarkes in New York alone. Of course, that doesn’t include those who prefer not to have their number listed, or those living in Jersey or Connecticut. Do you know if she lives in the city?”
    Still feeling like she had been played, Jamie sighed. “It doesn’t matter. I wouldn’t call her anyway.”
    “What are you talking about? You like this woman.”
    “She lied to me.”
    “Jamie, it’s not like you to be this way. Why don’t you just go find Gwen, get Diana’s number, and give her a call?”
    “No,” Jamie said, crossing her arms.
    “I’ve got five days until the party, and I have too much to do to spend my time chasing some bitch that lied to me.”
    “Jamie—”
    “You know what?” Jamie said, looking at her watch. “It’s almost three. Pack up your things. We’re getting out of here.”
    “What?”
    Reaching over, Jamie switched her phone to the answering machine and closed her laptop. “What I need to do, I can do from home. You’ve already got Monday off, so enjoy your extended weekend, and I’ll see you on Tuesday.”
    “Jamie, I know you’re hurting right now. It’s as plain as the nose on your face, but you’re not being rational. This is just a misunderstanding. I’m sure of it.”
    “You don’t even know her.”
    “And neither do you! Don’t assume the worst. It’s not fair to you, and it’s certainly not fair to her.”
    “She lied to me!”
    “Oh, I can’t stand it when you act like that stubborn little girl you used to be. It infuriates me!”
    “I’m not being stubborn!”
    “No, you’re being stupid!” Linda shouted, placing her hands on her hips.
    “Jamie, I have known you since you were six years old and I know when you’re scared, and right now, you’re terrified.”
    “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “Jamison, you’re in love. You’ve fallen for this woman, and it scares you, because all of a sudden, nothing else matters. I know you Jamie, and I know that the thought of not seeing her is driving you crazy, and you’ve channeled your frustration into this…this…this stupid idea that she lied to you.”
    “She did.”
    “Oh, Jesus Christ, Jamison, you’re acting like a child!”
    Shoving her chair away from her desk, Jamie stood up and glared at Linda. “No, I’m not, because children believe in Santa Claus, Linda, and I don’t !”

    ~~~

    Looking up from his cup of hot chocolate, Santa smiled as Percy scampered into the dining room.
    “You wanted to see me, sir?” he said as he approached the table.
    Motioning toward a chair, Santa said, “Sit down, Percy. We need to talk.”
    Sensing a bit of foreboding in Santa’s tone, Percy grew worried.
    Keeping one eye on the man in the red suit, Percy pulled out a chair and hopped onto the seat.
    “It seems we might have a bit of a problem,” Santa