“What’s up?” Mrs. Claus perched on Santa’s knee. “This has got to be relationship stuff. You never ask me for help with the production floor.”

“Later. I’ve got some ideas I want to... send your way.” He wriggled his brows.

Pixie groaned again. If she didn’t think gagging would jeopardize her wish, she might have done that, too.

“We’re embarrassing Pix.” Mrs. Claus giggled. “Male or female?”

“A man, I believe.” Santa tapped the keys on his computer. “Looks like a Nitro Hicks. What a name... Nitro? You’ve got a thing for a guy named Nitro?”

“Why don’t you check on the run of tricycles?” Mrs. Claus stood. “They’ve been a little slow down there.”

Santa’s shoulders dropped. “Fine.” He climbed out of his chair. “But I’ll remember this later.”

“You’d better.” Mrs. Claus took his vacated seat and waited until he left the room to speak. “You and Nitro, aka Nolan Hicks. Hot and heavy? Spit it out with all the details.”

Pixie always had liked Mrs. Claus’s no-nonsense style. “It’s like this. We met at the concert, but I’m shy. He spoke first and made me feel like I belonged there. We talked, laughed, and shared some secrets. I mentioned I might want something more than what I have here in the North Pole. He drove me to the airport. We kissed, talked, and had to go our separate ways. Thrilling.”

“He’s easy on the eyes, I’ll agree, and if he kisses the way he looks then, yes, it was probably thrilling. What did he say when he found out about the elf thing?”

“Cleveland was cold like the North Pole. He could dig the chill.”

“Cute on all accounts.”

“We’ve chatted and Skyped since the concert. Lots of times.” She wasn’t about to admit to how hot the chat sessions got. “I’m scared I’m really putting myself out there, but I have to give it a chance.”

Mrs. Claus clicked the mouse and fiddled on the computer. “I can tell you this much. Your Casanova has been on the naughty list since he was two. He’s a pistol.”