As the Christmas party for a book publishing company approaches, editor Maggie volunteers to help her boss Amanda find a date. Matchmaking is a bit of a hobby for Maggie, but she is thrown off her game when Jaxson, her boyfriend from her college years, shows up at her work—as a newly signed, successful author. Maggie would love to deny she feels anything for him still, but Jaxson isn’t making it easy. She’ll have to face her decisions of the past, along with Amanda eyeing Jaxson, to bring together the perfect matches at Christmas.
Director: Brian Brough
Writer: Brittany Wiscombe
Starring: Emily Rose, Corey Sevier
Director: Brian Brough
Writer: Brittany Wiscombe
Starring: Emily Rose, Corey Sevier
Category
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Short filmTranscript
00:00:00Since I was a kid, I always felt awkward and uneasy with myself.
00:00:30Through learning to drive, acne, doing laundry, going to college,
00:00:37each was unbearable because I was incomplete. I hadn't met Linda, but now that I have her in my
00:00:44life, I don't ever want to let her go. I am so grateful for you. I love you. I love you too.
00:00:53Oh, and we can't forget the reason that we're all here tonight, and that is our dear friend Maggie.
00:01:00That's right. She brought us together. Thank you, Maggie. Thank you. Cheers to Maggie.
00:01:21Maggie, this is all because of you. Oh, I'm just so happy that it worked out.
00:01:27You're coming to the wedding, right? Yeah, of course. Oh, Linda,
00:01:31we need a picture. Maggie, can you take it? Yeah, definitely. Okay, thank you. All right, ready? One,
00:01:40two, three. Don't tell me, another happy couple. Yeah, went to their engagement party last night.
00:01:48I wish they could get married in time for Christmas. I guess it would be a lot to plan,
00:01:51but it would be romantic. Come on, this isn't a victory. It has to be a lucky guess. Don't say
00:01:55guess, all right? You don't have this track record by mere guesses. And yet, I don't see
00:02:00your photo up there. That's because I'm too busy helping other people fall in love. Sure. How do
00:02:05you even know this many people? I moved around a lot. Maggie? Oh, yeah. So yeah, I finished the edit
00:02:14on the Wilmington Heights manuscript. Book three? Uh-huh, and Dale's supposed to have an outline to
00:02:18me for book four by the end of the month, but between you and me, I think he's gonna need a
00:02:22break, don't we all? I've heard we're about to sign a new author, and I'm leaning towards assigning
00:02:26him to you. Okay, yeah, fine. I think I can take on one more. Good, I'll have more details as soon
00:02:32as it's finalized. Great. Ugh. What? Company Christmas party. Oh, yeah, when is it? The 20th.
00:02:41I hate these. Really? I thought everybody looked forward to them. Trust me, compared to all the
00:02:47other companies I've worked for, this one is top-notch. Well, on the surface, maybe, but I hate having
00:02:52to get a date. You don't have to bring a date. People notice when I don't. That awkward conversation
00:02:59as they introduce their dates, and then look around like, hey, where's your date? Last year, I went with
00:03:04my brother. It wasn't any better. I could find you somebody. A setup? That's worse. No, really, it's
00:03:12kind of become a hobby of mine. I just paired up two friends. They're getting married, and then earlier
00:03:17this year was Ollie from reception, and then before that was Stewart in the mail room, and I also
00:03:22paired up a neighbor with the daughter of the VP over non-fiction. Really? Bruce's daughter? Yeah.
00:03:28She's super tricky, but I totally did it. Oh, it's not important. Excuse me, Amanda. Hey, a couple
00:03:34questions for you on the expense report. Which ones? Uh, here. Well, this one. Uh, dinner to smooth
00:03:44things over with the Greensboro. You know what? Go for it. And this one? Company Christmas gifts
00:03:50for the fiction authors. Wait, wait, wait. You want me to pair you up for the Christmas party?
00:03:55Yes. And this one. And please, whatever you do, make it painless. Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah, of course.
00:04:02Oh, that one, I don't remember. Don't you have notes on these, or can't you call? That's fine.
00:04:08I'll, uh, I'll think of something. Thanks.
00:04:18Uh-oh. What? You're gonna hate it. You're gonna hate it. I'm bracing myself. Amanda wants me to
00:04:25find her a date for the Christmas party. Haven't you met your quota for the year? No, you can't
00:04:31have too much of a good thing. Uh, yes, you can. Shh. You think you can find her a soulmate by Christmas?
00:04:37Maybe. You want to bet on it? No, no, no. And listen, I don't need your negative vibes on this one, okay?
00:04:53Oh, I have no idea what to get Mom and Dad this year. Dad says slippers, no books, and good
00:04:59children. He says that every year, Nicole. And when is he gonna realize we're adults? Never. Although
00:05:05Andrew and I are hanging onto that for our kids. Oh yeah? What is it they want? Sawyer wants board
00:05:10games and Tammy wants superhero action figures. Any hints for Mom? She says she wants a massage
00:05:17table. Oh yeah, well, she'll never use that. I'm gonna claim that one then. I don't care if she
00:05:21doesn't use it as long as I have something from her list. Great, so you're gonna make me be creative?
00:05:25Yep, you're good at it.
00:05:29Right. Okay, so help me brainstorm. I just gave you a whole bunch of ideas. Yeah, no, no, no. I'm not
00:05:37talking about presents. I'm talking about men. I'm trying to find a date for my boss for the Christmas
00:05:42party. I don't know. Come on, cough up all the friends that we know. I'll even consider acquaintances.
00:05:49Toby. Toby? Oh, the dental hygienist from Andrew's office? Yeah, Andrew thinks he's a good worker.
00:05:59Well, I guess I was thinking somebody more, you know, distinguished and settled. You must be
00:06:05kissing up to your boss. No, it's not that at all. She's just, she's a really good person.
00:06:10All right, the boss part, that's not even a factor. Come on, who do we know? What do we? Oh,
00:06:17oh, Marvin. He owns a cafe around the corner. Oh yeah, you love that place. Yeah. Do you know him
00:06:24that well? Oh, he is super sweet. I mean, he's divorced, but he's a really hard worker. Do you
00:06:30realize you always fixate on setting other people up, but never yourself? Well, not since Jackson.
00:06:35Don't, no, don't, don't say his name. All right. Oh, you know what? I think I gotta go.
00:06:43Hey, you want to go on on something for dad? Yes, I do. Can you just tell me what you end
00:06:47up getting him? Okay. Thank you. See ya.
00:06:55Oh, hey, did you hear? The Christmas book I designed is flying off the shelf,
00:06:59the ebook too. And it's all because of your cover design. It has nothing to do with what
00:07:03the author wrote. I'm just saying, I feel a sense of pride here. Well, that is great. Oh,
00:07:10Amanda's looking for you. Probably so you two can plan her romantic future.
00:07:16Okay. I think you'll be happy with the editor. Here she is. Maggie, I'd like to introduce you
00:07:25to Jackson Jones. I'm sure you've heard of him. Hi. Hi. Jackson's been looking for a change in
00:07:31publisher and we are delighted he's chosen us. You'll be his editor. Oh, that's, that's great
00:07:38news. Yes, it is. It's, uh, nice to meet you. Yeah, it's nice, nice to meet you too. I've heard
00:07:45so much about you. So, oh, you know, I look forward to hearing thoughts about your next book.
00:07:56Well, I have time right now. Right now? Okay, sure.
00:08:03All right. Yeah. I'll go see if the conference room is available. Great.
00:08:08Great. This is great. Great.
00:08:18What's wrong? Nothing. Nothing. Wow. I almost believe you. Jackson Jones. I thought that was
00:08:25him. You can never tell because the book jacket photo is always too glammed up to be recognizable
00:08:30or it's in black and white. Well, he's my new author. So there's that. Oh, well, lucky you.
00:08:35Not really. Why? Because I almost married him.
00:08:47Mr. Jones, have a seat.
00:08:55So it's been a long time. It's good to see you. Yeah. Yeah. You look good.
00:09:06Thanks. How you been? How about we just talk about you? All right. What is it that you're
00:09:13wanting to do next? Um, well, I'm kind of tired of the mysteries and thrillers I've been writing.
00:09:22Okay. So I want to dabble in some other genres. Hmm. It's risky. But it doesn't mean I'm gonna
00:09:28stop writing my bread and butter, but I think I've earned the right to do what I want.
00:09:32All right. Yeah. No, I'm gonna have to run that by Amanda and maybe a couple others.
00:09:38Why's that? Oh, you know, I don't, I don't know the terms of your, you know, contract,
00:09:43but I can imagine it's a pretty lucrative one here at Red Lake Publishing.
00:09:47It's fair. I just think that they're going to want to, you know, make sure that they recoup
00:09:51whatever it is that they're paying you. And writing in a different genre would jeopardize that?
00:09:56Well, it's a precaution. Is that why you were shopping around for other publishers?
00:10:03What? Oh, you know, I'm just, I'm just asking. Did they not like the whole new genre thing?
00:10:08No, that's, that's, that's not why I left.
00:10:14Could you just stop the note taking for a sec? It's a meeting. It's my job. Yeah, but you don't...
00:10:26Um, why don't I collect my thoughts a bit more? Is there a way I can reach you? Oh, yeah.
00:10:35There you go. Thank you. My info. Great. Well, it was good to see you.
00:10:56You know, I was wondering what it would be like if we ran into each other again.
00:11:01And I have to admit, it's pretty much as awkward as I imagined.
00:11:07Yeah, so now that we've gotten that out of the way, I think it's best if we just get back to work.
00:11:13Sounds good.
00:11:14He seems nice. He's your type, right? No, no. So what happened with you guys?
00:11:32Nothing. I guess not. When were you engaged? Uh, it was my second year of college.
00:11:43Was he a jerk or something? It's complicated.
00:11:47So why didn't you marry him? There were so many obstacles.
00:11:52Okay, like what? For starters, I, I got the scholarship to Oxford and I really wanted to go
00:11:58for it and he got upset and so we broke up and I mean, you know. Yeah, yeah, it sounds like it
00:12:06wasn't meant to be. And then, was it my parents? No, actually my whole family. They had, you know,
00:12:13issues with his aspirations to become an author. That's funny, considering. Yeah, so there was
00:12:19the age thing and there's the scholarship thing and we were just too young to be in love.
00:12:26Like Romeo and Juliet? Or Belle and Edward? Wesleyan Buttercup? Wait, except for the fact
00:12:34that all those people you listed were actually in love. Like Samson and Delilah. Bingo.
00:12:45Maggie. What are you doing here?
00:12:51I'm waiting for you. Why? Well, I wanted to talk about, um,
00:12:57listen, if we're gonna be working together, it can't be like that. I don't know what you mean.
00:13:03Yes, you do. Look, we're not handling this right and if we don't address it, it's gonna get worse.
00:13:09Look, Mr. Jones, I really appreciate you. Mr. Jones? Come on.
00:13:17Jackson, I can't just pretend that this isn't weird. Fine, let's just admit that it's weird.
00:13:23I don't know how that's any better. Well, we're grown up now, right?
00:13:29We can say the past is in the past and move forward. I think that's a lot easier said than
00:13:34done. I think we're strong enough to try. So what do you say? Can we start over?
00:13:45Okay. Great. So why don't we try all this again another day? I'll bring my story notes and
00:13:55we can look them over. Yeah, okay. How about tomorrow? Uh, yeah, that's fine.
00:14:04Good night, Meg.
00:14:24Okay. Date options
00:14:31for Amanda.
00:14:44Allen.
00:14:49Who else?
00:14:49Oh, shoot.
00:15:19So
00:15:31hey, Amanda. Oh, hey. You cycling today? No, actually, I was gonna stay for a run,
00:15:53but I was hoping to catch you on a break because I have a list of 11 guys that I think will be
00:15:57great for you. 11? Yeah, I don't think I have time to meet that many guys before Christmas. Well,
00:16:03no, I brought you pictures. You have random men's pictures? They're not random, okay? I know each of
00:16:08these guys. And besides, you know, photos, those aren't really hard to get. I'm surprised you went
00:16:12to all this hassle. It wasn't a hassle at all. There you are. Whoa. Okay, so I know that there's
00:16:19more to a person than a photo. So think of this sort of like a menu, a sampling, okay? And I can
00:16:25tell you a little bit about each one. Do you have a pen? Uh, yeah, I do. Where'd it go? There. There you go.
00:16:36Wait, don't you want to know about... Okay.
00:16:42How's that?
00:16:45Well, I'm actually surprised there's any left. Let's keep it reasonable. Okay, so what I'll do
00:16:50is I'll go ahead and set up a time for you to meet each of them. Meet them? Yeah, like one
00:16:55on one, but yeah. Okay, something quick. A coffee date. Coffee? Really? There's not really potential
00:17:01there to have like a good deep conversation. I don't really have time for these things.
00:17:06Is there any way you can set them all up on the same day? Well, that's not really romantic. You
00:17:10know, you're like, oh my gosh, it's so nice to meet you. I love your eyes. Next. Have I mentioned
00:17:15that I don't enjoy dating? Have I mentioned? I think it's because you haven't met the right guy
00:17:19yet. Of course. Okay, so I'll go ahead and I'll set you up. Thank you. Bye.
00:17:28We wish you were married. Hey Maggie. Hey. I have somebody that I want you to meet.
00:17:35Oh, you always threaten that. Marvin, you're gonna really like her.
00:17:41Okay, just text me the details. I will. Okay, here we go.
00:17:46Still got that flair. What? Social butterfly charm. Friends with everybody. Oh, I mean,
00:17:53yeah, I mean, I guess so. All right, so shall we? Yes, and I wasn't kidding about new genres for me.
00:18:02Okay, what are you thinking? Christmas book. Obviously not for this year, but it could be fun,
00:18:07right? Yeah, I mean, Christmas, that seems to be a genre that other successful authors
00:18:13have crossed over to and done pretty well in, so that'd be great. But, you know,
00:18:19I think we're gonna need something else other than just Christmas. Oh, don't worry,
00:18:22I got more. Hmm. Period piece. Character-driven, one person's struggle through the Civil War.
00:18:29Oh, and I also have a mystery that's set with a scientific background.
00:18:33Oh, no. Don't like it? Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Hi.
00:18:43Sorry to interrupt. I'm Nicole. Oh, I remember you just fine.
00:18:49This is Jackson. Oh, what are you doing here? I'm working with Maggie's Publishing House.
00:18:57Oh, that's interesting. Doing what? He's an author, Nicole. Wow, pulled that one off after all.
00:19:06You've been writing long? He's a best-selling author. I've been writing for a while.
00:19:11Well, good for you. Hey, so we really need to get back to our meeting.
00:19:16Sure, I'll call you later. It's good to see you again.
00:19:24So, where were we? Scientific background. He's still just as smug as I remember him. I mean,
00:19:32really, does 15 years or whatever do nothing to improve a person? He wasn't smug, it was just
00:19:38work. I'm just glad you listened to mom and dad and left him behind. Are you listening? Yes. Yes,
00:19:45Nicole. He's still no good. Look, you guys always love to say that, but Jackson never did anything
00:19:52wrong. He was trying to hold you back. By marrying me? Really? All I'm saying is don't do that
00:20:00wistful thing and look back on all the good memories and forget the bad. Okay, and I'm
00:20:05just saying there really were no bad memories. You guys just never approved of... Okay, you know what?
00:20:12Just forget it. Okay, he's an author. I'm an editor. It was just work. I'm gonna hold you to that.
00:20:19Okay, good night, Nicole. Good night.
00:20:35Please tell me he's not in a red suit. No, you're meeting him at the coffee shop.
00:20:43There he is. Oh. Yeah, better than his picture, right? Which one is he? Alan.
00:20:51Alan. Okay. Yep, all right, go ahead. Wait, aren't you gonna introduce me?
00:20:57No, no, if I get dragged in there, you'll use me as a crutch. Come on, go ahead, you'll be fine.
00:21:06Okay.
00:21:11Um, Alan? Amanda. Nice to meet you. Oh, hi. Nice to meet you. Thank you for coming.
00:21:22Oh, I forgot about the height difference.
00:21:30It's not gonna work.
00:21:36Um, it's just great to meet you. Yes, no, thanks for your time, really. It was
00:21:46awesome. Hopefully we do this again, you know? Um, or I can... No, I'll just...
00:21:55All right, thank you. Take care.
00:21:58All right, so how did it go? He's nice. Okay, look, that was my fault. I didn't really think
00:22:03through Alan as an option, or if he liked a certain height. We were in two different
00:22:06atmospheric levels. Look, don't worry about it, all right? Look, Stephen is next. He's super nice.
00:22:11He loves books. He reads all the time. You guys are gonna have a lot to talk about.
00:22:16Fine.
00:22:20I've been looking forward to this. Really? Yeah, I devour books.
00:22:25And Maggie had a lot of great things to say about you. Oh, thank you. Uh, she says you're an avid
00:22:31reader. That's putting it mildly. Any favorites? Well, uh, my favorites, I'm sorry to admit,
00:22:37are actually from another publisher, but I'm sure you've heard of them. Half-Blood Fiend,
00:22:42Galaxy Feud, Rise of the Orcs, and Into the Black of Space. Science fiction. And fantasy. Oh.
00:22:52Maggie? Jackson. What are you doing here? I'm supervising, I guess. Amanda's meeting somebody,
00:23:01so I'm just making sure it's all okay. And does she know you're here watching her? Yeah, I'm not
00:23:08crazy. I'm actually, I'm setting her up. It's kind of this hobby of mine. Huh, well, I guess I'll
00:23:15I'm not crazy. I'm actually, I'm setting her up. It's kind of this hobby of mine.
00:23:21That's new. At least in the last 15 years. Yeah, I like pairing up friends that I think
00:23:26will get along. You know, it's kind of fun. Any of them work out? Yeah, actually, six couples
00:23:33are married. Really? Yeah, a few of them are still dating, so. Any breakups? Hmm, one or two.
00:23:41So, uh, how are they doing? So, Maggie tells me that you're over the whole fiction department.
00:23:45Any chance that your company might be getting into the sci-fi and fantasy ring?
00:23:49It's not our specialty. We do have a few titles that have an element of science fiction,
00:23:55but nothing quite as, uh, concentrated as what you like. You know what, um,
00:24:04I wanted to show you some of the figures from the genre's readership.
00:24:07We're a devout group, and, uh, I mean, just look at what Rise of the Orcs did in sales.
00:24:12I think they're doing okay. I, uh-oh, that doesn't look good. Yeah, it doesn't look promising.
00:24:21Yeah, I should go save her. Better luck next time. Thank you.
00:24:28It was good to see you. You too.
00:24:38Okay, maybe we should get in line and tell Santa I need a date for Christmas.
00:24:44Okay, look, I think if you just looked at some of these guys that you crossed out without meeting-
00:24:47No offense, but how did any of your friends ever get together?
00:24:52Sometimes it's a little bit of a, you know, learning curve, but- Oh, hey, there's Marvin.
00:25:02Okay, so he owns a cafe around the corner from work. He's super nice.
00:25:07Maybe start with the bad, and then I can be pleasantly surprised.
00:25:14So Maggie tells me that you work together. Yeah, and how do the two of you know each other?
00:25:21Oh, uh, well, she just kept coming into the cafe, and, uh, well, over time we started talking.
00:25:28She's a good soul. Yeah, she's bolder than I am. I'm not one to talk easily with strangers.
00:25:42Ah, that's those childhood warnings from your mom. Right. Stranger danger.
00:25:49It's always been hard for me to strike up a conversation with someone I don't know.
00:25:54Well, I think you're doing just fine.
00:25:56Yeah.
00:26:02Oh, they're exchanging numbers.
00:26:09This is good. This is really good.
00:26:13Hey.
00:26:26So you set up a second date? Yes.
00:26:29When? Thursday.
00:26:31Okay, that's excellent. Isn't he nice? He's so nice.
00:26:35Okay, don't get too crazy. Yes, Marvin is nice and handsome.
00:26:41And I can respect him, unlike... Stephen, I know, I know. Okay, so what can I do to help?
00:26:47Uh, Marvin suggested a couple of options for dinner. Italian, a boutique Chinese place, or...
00:26:57What? Or he offered to make me dinner at his cafe.
00:27:01Is that weird? No, it's not weird.
00:27:03That's romantic. None of those iffy waiters and loud, overcrowded restaurants.
00:27:08Perfect. What time? Uh, 8.30.
00:27:11All right, so the cafe closes at 8. So it'll be just the two of you. He'll be cooking.
00:27:18Oh, pick that one. What if it gets awkward?
00:27:21Oh, it won't. No, Marvin's really good at making people feel welcome and cared for.
00:27:28Okay, if you're sure.
00:27:32Totally sure.
00:27:33The posters for Marguerite Van Kelly's book signing are in the conference room.
00:27:36Okay, yeah, great. I'll pick them up in the morning before the event.
00:27:42You want me to stick around? I can wait to go to lunch.
00:27:43Uh, no, I'm fine, thanks. Cool.
00:27:48Hey. I wasn't expecting you.
00:27:51Well, I finished the preliminary outline for my Christmas book. Ready for your feedback.
00:27:56Oh, well, you could have emailed it.
00:27:58Yeah, I guess I could have.
00:28:00Okay, great. Yeah, um, I'll take a look at it.
00:28:02Sure.
00:28:06Hey, do you want to get out for a little bit?
00:28:08I got a lot of work.
00:28:09You can take a break. There's something I want to check out for the Christmas book.
00:28:11It's kind of like research.
00:28:13Yeah, uh, I don't...
00:28:15Come on. Don't you want to make sure it works for the book?
00:28:19Okay. Yeah, I guess I can fit it in.
00:28:22Great.
00:28:23So, a sleigh ride? You really had to research this?
00:28:27You ever been on one?
00:28:28A bahay ride. That counts, right?
00:28:30No, it does not. I'm all about authenticity.
00:28:33Oh, right. And all of your novels about world domination schemes. It really highlights that.
00:28:39You never rode one of these in New York?
00:28:42No, I don't think I've ever ridden a sleigh ride.
00:28:44Oh, yeah?
00:28:45No, I don't think I've ever ridden a sleigh ride.
00:28:47I don't think I've ever ridden a sleigh ride.
00:28:49I don't think I've ever ridden a sleigh ride.
00:28:51I don't think I've ever ridden one of these in New York.
00:28:53I didn't have much need for a sleigh ride in any of my action novels.
00:28:56Ah. So why'd you decide to leave The Big Apple?
00:29:01I got tired of it.
00:29:03And when was that?
00:29:05About two months ago.
00:29:07So you decided to move back home?
00:29:10I'm surprised you decided to move home.
00:29:12Well, work's taken me a bunch of places, so...
00:29:15Yeah, junior copy editor at The Herald, writer and editor at that magazine company.
00:29:21Health magazine?
00:29:22The Life Lifestyle magazine, sadly.
00:29:25Right.
00:29:29What happened next?
00:29:31There was the technical editor at that textbook publisher, and then...
00:29:37There was just, you know, there was a few in between there.
00:29:40Oh, riveting.
00:29:42It's wild jumping around.
00:29:44Maybe I was trying to flesh out my resume.
00:29:47Sure you were.
00:29:48Okay, and your career?
00:29:50Really, the book that makes your career?
00:29:53A Tiger's Burden?
00:29:55Yes, please.
00:29:57Teach me about that.
00:29:57Okay, I will.
00:29:58I'm strangely proud of it.
00:30:00Wait, does that mean you read it?
00:30:04Yeah.
00:30:07Yes, I did.
00:30:11Please tell me you've read some of my better stuff since then.
00:30:14You've had better stuff?
00:30:16Oh, I walked into that.
00:30:18No, you did.
00:30:23So, Nicole's married.
00:30:25Notice the ring.
00:30:26Yeah, actually, she has two kids, too.
00:30:29Wow, that's great.
00:30:32Yeah.
00:30:34I'm really sorry about the other day.
00:30:38She still hates me.
00:30:39No, I mean, it's not that she...
00:30:41She doesn't hate you.
00:30:43She just...
00:30:45Yeah, she hates you.
00:30:47She hates you.
00:30:48I'm sorry.
00:30:51I can never figure out what I did to get on her bad side.
00:30:56And you?
00:30:57What about, you know, your relationships?
00:31:02A few, but nothing special.
00:31:06You?
00:31:07I've been really busy with work, so there's that, you know.
00:31:11Yeah, I find it kind of hard to really get to know anyone these days, but with the, uh,
00:31:17author persona, it's all anybody sees.
00:31:21Oh, yeah, that's the price of fame.
00:31:22I guess so.
00:31:23It's so sad.
00:31:28But it is nice to talk to someone who knew me before.
00:31:31Yeah.
00:31:33Yeah.
00:31:36Get him!
00:31:40Hey.
00:31:44There you go.
00:31:46Hey.
00:31:47Hey.
00:31:50So, Marvin's making a raspberry bread pudding Thursday.
00:31:54Oh, I don't think I've ever had that at his cafe before.
00:31:57Well, he asked me my favorite dessert, my favorite fruit, and voila.
00:32:03He's, um, doing a lot to prepare.
00:32:07And?
00:32:08It seems like he wants to impress me.
00:32:11Well, that, that's a good thing, isn't it?
00:32:13I don't want him to be disappointed, though.
00:32:16And you?
00:32:16No, never.
00:32:17Don't worry about that.
00:32:18Or if it doesn't work out, I don't want this all to be a waste of time.
00:32:22Well, why would it be?
00:32:25I don't know.
00:32:27Maybe I'm just nervous.
00:32:29Yeah, well, don't be, all right?
00:32:31Just, just enjoy it.
00:32:33Dating can be risky, but it can also be kind of fun, too.
00:32:38Oh, Marguerite needs me.
00:32:40Okay, I'm gonna head back to the office.
00:32:41Okay, Amanda, look, you deserve to find somebody that you love.
00:32:45Just give Marvin a chance.
00:32:47Okay.
00:32:49Good.
00:33:39Hello.
00:33:41Hi.
00:33:42I hope you're hungry.
00:33:43Oh, I hope you can save the leftovers.
00:33:47Please, make yourself comfortable.
00:33:49Oh, you look nice.
00:33:52Uh, what, what can I get for you?
00:33:53How can I get you started here?
00:33:55Uh, anything.
00:33:56It all looks good.
00:33:58Yeah, uh, favorite bread.
00:34:00Uh, Asiago cheese, rye, sourdough?
00:34:03Sourdough.
00:34:03Oh, I love sourdough.
00:34:05I love sourdough.
00:34:05I love sourdough.
00:34:06I love sourdough.
00:34:07I love sourdough.
00:34:07I love sourdough.
00:34:08I love sourdough.
00:34:09Sourdough.
00:34:09Sourdough.
00:34:10All righty.
00:34:12Just, uh.
00:34:14What is that?
00:34:15That is a special house blend of mayo.
00:34:18Secret recipe?
00:34:19Oh, of course.
00:34:20Yeah, yeah.
00:34:21Okay, meat and cheese.
00:34:24Uh, turkey and that one.
00:34:27That one.
00:34:28Good choice.
00:34:33There we go.
00:34:34Yeah.
00:34:35So, how long have you had your cafe?
00:34:41Oh, uh, seven years.
00:34:44I don't normally make sandwiches, but if they all look like that.
00:34:48You'd eat them every night.
00:34:50Oh, soup?
00:34:52Yes.
00:34:54Do you ever get tired of it?
00:34:56Of food?
00:34:59And cooking.
00:35:00Well, let me ask you this.
00:35:01If you get a few minutes to yourself, do you still like to read?
00:35:05Yes.
00:35:06Yeah, same here.
00:35:07You know, back when I first opened the place, it was actually really stressful.
00:35:12It took over almost everything else in my life.
00:35:14Maggie mentioned you were married.
00:35:17Oh.
00:35:19Did that happen before the cafe?
00:35:22Actually, I got a little too caught up in the cafe and things unraveled.
00:35:29I'm sorry.
00:35:30Well, I can see now that the cafe is something that I can enjoy.
00:35:34I love to cook and meet the people that come here.
00:35:39You have it all figured out.
00:35:41Uh, well, it's not that I haven't made my share of mistakes, but, um, yeah, I mean,
00:35:48there's a balance now.
00:35:50I look forward to it all.
00:35:51That sounds nice.
00:35:53And free of regret.
00:35:57I wish.
00:35:58No.
00:35:59But, you know, you, you learn from regrets, right?
00:36:05You gonna try that soup?
00:36:09Good?
00:36:11Delicious.
00:36:12Well, load up.
00:36:13We need the energy.
00:36:14Gonna have you help me make the dessert later.
00:36:18Oh, I'm not a good cook.
00:36:20Oh, that's okay.
00:36:21I am.
00:36:22And I'll be right there to help you.
00:36:30Hey.
00:36:31Hey.
00:36:32So how was your date?
00:36:34It was good.
00:36:36Really?
00:36:36Yes.
00:36:37Are you surprised?
00:36:38I'm delighted.
00:36:39I want you to tell me all about it.
00:36:41Marvin is a great cook and reassuring and someone I feel I can trust.
00:36:48Yeah, good.
00:36:49So do you have another date before the Christmas party or?
00:36:52No.
00:36:52Are you just gonna go to the Christmas party then or?
00:36:55You were right about him being so nice and thoughtful.
00:36:59He's a great friend.
00:37:02But I can't see him as anything more than that.
00:37:05Are you sure?
00:37:06I mean, it really was just the first date, right?
00:37:09Some of the best relationships are built on friendship.
00:37:13Isn't that a line from one of our self-help books?
00:37:16Yeah, but it's true.
00:37:19I guess.
00:37:21Still, I was honest with him.
00:37:23I didn't want to hurt him.
00:37:24And I didn't want to waste his time.
00:37:26How'd he take it?
00:37:28Exactly as I thought he would.
00:37:30Completely understanding and supportive.
00:37:33Well, I'm sorry that it didn't work out.
00:37:36No, don't worry about it.
00:37:38If nothing else, it's flattering that you thought I could match up with someone as good as he is.
00:37:45It's like Amanda's giving up on the idea of being set up.
00:37:48It's kind of strange when she had a good date with Marvin.
00:37:52Yeah.
00:37:53Well, that's plenty of icing, honey.
00:37:55Maybe it's an attraction thing.
00:37:57It's no big deal.
00:37:58Just try again.
00:38:00Well, I could, but it's like her heart's not in it anymore.
00:38:04Do you think she's disappointed with the suggestions I made that they didn't pan out?
00:38:08Maybe she just wants a simple date.
00:38:10I mean, you always promise everlasting love.
00:38:12Think of the pressure.
00:38:14She goes into it looking at long term, but barely knows the guy on the surface.
00:38:19Not surprisingly insightful.
00:38:21Surprisingly?
00:38:22Although, if she did just want a date, then she would have gone with Marvin.
00:38:27I mean, she said that she liked him, just not romantically.
00:38:29So maybe she does want someone she can truly love.
00:38:32Okay, so then do I keep looking for a date for her or not?
00:38:35Ask her.
00:38:36Although, I'm more curious if you are taking a date.
00:38:40I haven't even thought about that.
00:38:46Wow, what is this place?
00:38:48We're having the Christmas party here this year.
00:38:51There are some aspects about the party that we need help with,
00:38:55so I nominated you to be on the party committee.
00:38:58What?
00:38:59Sorry.
00:39:00Yeah, lucky me.
00:39:02You know how important it is.
00:39:03It's not about employee morale.
00:39:06Well, it's not just about employee morale.
00:39:09It's a chance for us to wine and dine our authors and keep them happy.
00:39:13Let me show you guys around.
00:39:17Food will be set up over here.
00:39:20We have the catering arranged,
00:39:23but there are some holes that we need the committee to handle.
00:39:28There's decorating the day of the party,
00:39:31handling the coat check, which will be by the entrance, of course,
00:39:35and handling the toy drive donations.
00:39:39Oh, there's a toy drive?
00:39:40Yeah, every year.
00:39:42Tori, you don't mind decorating, so you and I can handle that.
00:39:47Good.
00:39:47Anyone else want to help out there?
00:39:49Great.
00:39:50You know what? I'll go ahead and take the toy drive.
00:39:53Perfect. Thanks.
00:39:55Jim, that leaves you to handle the coat check.
00:39:58Now, there are some decorations that need to be prepared before the party.
00:40:02Wait, I'm sorry.
00:40:03When you say prepared, what exactly do you mean?
00:40:05Made.
00:40:07Made?
00:40:08Yeah, sorry, but I'll let you all know what that entails.
00:40:15So what job are you going to have on the party committee?
00:40:17Well, the perk and curse of being a VP is that I have to entertain the authors.
00:40:23Sorry to spring the committee thing on you, but I know you're reliable.
00:40:26No, it's fine. It's probably good to have a purpose at the party
00:40:29so I don't have to stand around and look busy.
00:40:31That's the spirit.
00:40:32Oh, oh, speaking of, I have been rethinking the guys that I know for your date.
00:40:37Oh, that.
00:40:37And I think that...
00:40:40Maybe let me look over your list again, okay?
00:40:44Okay, yeah, sure.
00:40:46Hey, here's some messages.
00:40:52What did you get roped into doing?
00:40:53Oh, the toy donation table.
00:40:56Yeah, the secret is to actually stress this type of year
00:40:59and then you don't get picked to be on the committee.
00:41:01It's all work anyway, though, right?
00:41:03Yeah, well, next year have at least one meltdown.
00:41:06November is a logical time for it.
00:41:08That's a good tip.
00:41:10I'm going to go get some more food.
00:41:11Yeah, I'm going to go get some more food.
00:41:13I'm going to go get some more food.
00:41:14I'm going to go get some more food.
00:41:15Hey.
00:41:18You still trying to pair up Amanda?
00:41:20Yeah.
00:41:20What about Chester?
00:41:22Chester?
00:41:23I'm just saying.
00:41:24I mean, I think there could be something there.
00:41:27But he's an accountant.
00:41:29So he's incapable of love?
00:41:31No, I just...
00:41:32Okay, thanks.
00:41:34I don't think they'd make a good match.
00:41:38All right.
00:41:45This is becoming a habit.
00:41:47I was in the neighborhood again.
00:41:48Ah.
00:41:48How was your day?
00:41:50I survived.
00:41:52Sounds like you could use a break.
00:41:54I have just the thing in mind.
00:41:56You do?
00:42:00Okay.
00:42:03Remember this place?
00:42:04I tripped and gashed my knee here.
00:42:07I did try to stop your fall.
00:42:08No, if I remember correctly, you were the one that caused the fall.
00:42:13Come on.
00:42:15No, it's been like...
00:42:17It had to have been at least 10 years since I've skated last.
00:42:20Yeah, you'll pick it up.
00:42:22Come on.
00:42:22Uh-huh.
00:42:23That's what you said last time.
00:42:30Okay.
00:42:32You gotta trust yourself.
00:42:33I trust myself.
00:42:34I just don't trust my feet or these skates.
00:42:38Come on.
00:42:40I'm...
00:42:41No, I'm...
00:42:42I'm good.
00:42:42Relax.
00:42:43I will not let you fall.
00:42:45Again.
00:42:50Okay.
00:42:52That's it.
00:42:53That was...
00:42:54That was good.
00:42:55Yeah?
00:42:56That was...
00:42:56Loosen up.
00:42:57Okay, I'm loose.
00:42:58Loose.
00:42:58Totally loose.
00:42:59So, question for you.
00:43:01Uh-huh?
00:43:02Do you think back then that I'd ever end up here?
00:43:05Back then?
00:43:06I thought we agreed that we'd leave the past alone.
00:43:09Yeah, but humor me.
00:43:11I know it's one thing to say you want to be an author when you grow up,
00:43:13but be careful don't lock the doors.
00:43:15Oh, right.
00:43:16Okay.
00:43:18Yeah, I knew you'd make it.
00:43:20You did?
00:43:22Yeah, but I believed a lot back then.
00:43:25All right.
00:43:27All right, fair enough.
00:43:31I always admired that you knew what you wanted to do.
00:43:36I had no idea what I was going to be.
00:43:38I just knew what I was good at.
00:43:39Grammar, reading, writing.
00:43:42Yeah.
00:43:44Question is,
00:43:47you happy?
00:43:50In work?
00:43:53Mostly.
00:43:56It's just that it's, you know, it's become more work lately.
00:44:01So not happy?
00:44:02No, I didn't, I didn't say that.
00:44:03So that's why you keep moving around from job to job?
00:44:06Maybe.
00:44:09How about you?
00:44:11Are you happy?
00:44:12Sure.
00:44:13I love writing.
00:44:15I have some fame.
00:44:17A little fortune.
00:44:20So modest.
00:44:22So why Red Lake Publishing?
00:44:24I mean the fortune part.
00:44:25I can't imagine that we can compete with what you're used to.
00:44:30Yeah, but money's not everything, right?
00:44:32Come on, why?
00:44:37Just stop being fun.
00:44:39You got to be too much with deadlines, machine.
00:44:43Everything got bigger, more time-consuming,
00:44:45and it's just not where I wanted to be anymore.
00:44:47Then why Red Lake?
00:44:49Well, they're not the only ones I've met with.
00:44:51I spent several months meeting with various publishers,
00:44:53and I liked Red Lake.
00:44:55It felt like a good fit.
00:44:58And that's the only reason that you picked them?
00:45:01No.
00:45:04You're wondering if I came back for you?
00:45:07Of course not.
00:45:08What if I did?
00:45:14Oh, my feet really hurt.
00:45:20You are a wimp.
00:45:21No.
00:45:23Come on.
00:45:24Do you want me to carry you?
00:45:26No, no, don't.
00:45:32Sounds like you're rekindling things.
00:45:34No, I just really, I don't want to hurt him.
00:45:37Yeah, that makes sense.
00:45:38I mean, it was so bad before.
00:45:42You regret it?
00:45:43No, I, well, yes, of course.
00:45:45I mean, I regret hurting him, but I...
00:45:47But not breaking things off from years ago?
00:45:50You do regret not marrying him, though?
00:45:52I just, I really wish things would be different.
00:45:54Like what?
00:45:56Like I wish that we would have met when I was at Oxford,
00:45:59or, you know, when we were just a little older.
00:46:01Not when we were so young.
00:46:02How is that different from today?
00:46:04I'm just, I'm just saying that I wish that the timing was different.
00:46:08So you let him go all those years ago because you had to?
00:46:10Yes.
00:46:11And now couldn't the timing be right?
00:46:13No, no, no.
00:46:15Because you don't love him anymore?
00:46:18Look, I, I don't know how I feel about Jackson, okay?
00:46:23I just know that jumping into a relationship with Jackson right now,
00:46:26that, that feels wrong.
00:46:30Okay, why?
00:46:32Yeah, because nothing's changed.
00:46:35All right.
00:46:36Based on what little pieces you've told me about why you broke up,
00:46:39none of them had to do with you not loving him.
00:46:41If nothing's changed, then you still care about him.
00:46:49I should get back to work.
00:46:53I should have been a shrink.
00:46:55I'd be rich by now.
00:46:57The great Dr. Dean.
00:47:10Hey.
00:47:23Hi.
00:47:24Sorry to interrupt your, uh, gingerbread obsession.
00:47:28It's, it's for work.
00:47:30Really?
00:47:31Yeah, uh, they're Christmas decorations for the Christmas party.
00:47:35Or at least they will be when I'm done.
00:47:39Want some help?
00:47:40Yeah, sure, come on in.
00:47:45What is it, like a creative mind thing or something?
00:47:48What?
00:47:50Just your propensity for artistic perfection over there.
00:47:53I mean, I'm still working on this roof.
00:47:56Well, I made one of these every year growing up.
00:47:58Until college, my roommates would have made fun of me.
00:48:02How did you know you'd still be good at it?
00:48:04Well, how do you know I don't make five of these a year?
00:48:06Okay, just for that, you're gonna make another one.
00:48:09Oh.
00:48:12Ah.
00:48:13Okay, hold on.
00:48:16Okay.
00:48:17What do we got going on?
00:48:18Okay, let's see.
00:48:20Now, the trick is...
00:48:24That's pretty good.
00:48:26Not to use too much.
00:48:27Okay.
00:48:29Just enough.
00:48:33See?
00:48:34Now, put it on.
00:48:36Okay.
00:48:37That's it.
00:48:38And just hold it for a few seconds.
00:48:45And that's it.
00:48:48That's it?
00:48:51All right.
00:48:52Wow.
00:48:53See?
00:48:56You know, growing up, I thought it would be cool to live in one of these.
00:49:00A gingerbread house?
00:49:01Okay, maybe it was just the candy.
00:49:03Or a Hansel and Gretel thing.
00:49:05Yeah.
00:49:06Maybe when I was little, but...
00:49:08I don't know, I think I just like what it represents.
00:49:11Warmth, comfort, home.
00:49:13Some place to call my own.
00:49:16Everything you care about's inside.
00:49:19I think it's a little tiny to have everything that you care about in it.
00:49:23It's true.
00:49:25I need a place to put all my books.
00:49:34You can definitely tell which ones are yours and which ones are mine.
00:49:37I wouldn't worry about it.
00:49:38No one at the party will.
00:49:40Well, thank you for your help.
00:49:42You're welcome.
00:49:43Oh, hey.
00:49:47I have something for you.
00:49:49Oh, a manuscript.
00:49:52I was hoping I could get your take on it.
00:49:54Wait, is this that Christmas one?
00:49:55That was really fast.
00:49:56No, no, this is an older story.
00:49:59I've just never finished it till now.
00:50:00Oh, well, are you sure it's not under contract with your old publisher?
00:50:03No, it's... I wrote this well before my career took off.
00:50:07Probably still needs a polish, but...
00:50:09Well, I've got one other author in the queue, but yeah, I'll...
00:50:12Oh, that's fine.
00:50:13But, uh, you will read it?
00:50:15Of course.
00:50:17Thanks.
00:50:21I'm hearing next year's budgets will be cut in most departments, uh, with the exception of marketing.
00:50:27So with Jackson Jones on board, we want to push that even more.
00:50:31Oh, right. Well, with what his books could do for our company,
00:50:33it makes sense that we'd want to capitalize on his name.
00:50:36Good. Uh, Chester has a departmental budget.
00:50:39Okay.
00:50:41Please, please review these.
00:50:43Nobody in accounting appreciates ticked off phone calls and emails accusing us
00:50:49of cutting their budget that they had already spent by June.
00:50:52It wasn't me.
00:50:53I know, I know.
00:50:54I was just saying that because I'm trying to keep myself from pointing out the audiobook division.
00:51:00Okay, that should do it.
00:51:02Thanks, everyone.
00:51:07So, how are things going with Jackson?
00:51:11Uh, what do you mean?
00:51:13Is he playing nice or, you know, being all ego?
00:51:18Oh, yeah, no, he's... he's not like that at all.
00:51:21He's... he's... he's very nice.
00:51:23What do you think about him?
00:51:25I mean, you know, as a date.
00:51:28For who?
00:51:30For me.
00:51:32I was thinking maybe he makes sense as my date to the Christmas party.
00:51:35Oh, well, is he, uh, your type?
00:51:38He's handsome.
00:51:41I suppose so.
00:51:43The good thing is work can be my excuse for asking.
00:51:47It gives me a chance to explore if, I don't know, maybe something more could happen.
00:51:52Oh, that's a... that's a good strategy.
00:51:55When's he coming in next?
00:51:58I really don't... I don't know.
00:52:01Do you think maybe you can invent a reason for him to come by again?
00:52:06Uh, yeah, I should... I could probably think of something.
00:52:12Okay, thank you, Maggie.
00:52:14Sure.
00:52:15Yeah.
00:52:21Hey, Maggie, I thought you might want to see this.
00:52:24It's the sales reports for your author's books.
00:52:27Oh, great, yeah.
00:52:30Hey, uh, do you have anything for Jackson Jones?
00:52:33Anything that he needs to sign?
00:52:36No, that'd be the legal department.
00:52:38Oh, yeah, right.
00:52:39Yeah, I'm sorry.
00:52:40Sorry about that.
00:52:41Thanks.
00:52:41Did you need something?
00:52:43Oh, it was just Amanda.
00:52:44She, um, just, you know, we're just looking for a reason for him to drop by the office.
00:52:49Oh, we did give him a signing bonus, but it hasn't gone out in the mail yet.
00:52:53Oh, yeah.
00:52:54Yeah, that would be... that'd be perfect.
00:52:56Yeah.
00:53:05Hey, Jackson.
00:53:07Yeah, this is... this is Maggie.
00:53:08Listen, accounting has your signing bonus here.
00:53:11Um, thought maybe you could just swing by and pick it up instead of us sticking it in
00:53:15the mail.
00:53:16It might be safer.
00:53:17Okay, great.
00:53:20Yeah, thanks.
00:53:24Mail might be safer.
00:53:38Jackson!
00:53:39I guess I got here a little late.
00:53:41Uh, Maggie's...
00:53:41I have your check for you.
00:53:43Look, I know Maggie's taking care of you, but I would love to hear firsthand what you've
00:53:47got in the works.
00:53:49So, would you like to grab a bite to eat?
00:53:52Sure.
00:53:53Sounds good.
00:53:53Okay.
00:53:54All right.
00:53:58I don't know why it bothers you.
00:53:59You both moved on years ago.
00:54:01Who cares if he goes out with your boss?
00:54:03Well, it's... it's just that it's inappropriate, isn't it?
00:54:07I don't know.
00:54:07I mean, I don't know why it bothers you.
00:54:09It's just that it's inappropriate, isn't it?
00:54:12I don't know.
00:54:13I mean, Amanda's my boss, and she's my friend, and if she and Jackson were an item, I mean,
00:54:19wouldn't that be weird?
00:54:20It'd only be weird for you.
00:54:22And only if you still...
00:54:24You still care about him?
00:54:26No, there's just, you know, there's history.
00:54:29Does Amanda know about it?
00:54:31No, why would she?
00:54:32Well, I say you could warn her off from Jackson if she's your friend.
00:54:36He wasn't anything to brag about before, and he's probably more shallow now.
00:54:40No, he's not.
00:54:43Look, he'd actually... he'd actually be pretty good for her.
00:54:47Then what's the problem?
00:54:50I need more sugar.
00:54:58Maggie, hey.
00:54:59I'm just reminding everyone to RSVP for the Christmas party.
00:55:02We're finalizing things with the caterers.
00:55:03I need numbers.
00:55:04Oh, yeah.
00:55:05Yep, okay.
00:55:05I will do that.
00:55:06Thanks.
00:55:07You can just tell me now.
00:55:10Uh, yeah, I'm going.
00:55:12Are you bringing a guest?
00:55:17Uh, no.
00:55:18No.
00:55:19Okay, got it.
00:55:20Thanks.
00:55:25Hey.
00:55:26Hey.
00:55:27So how did it go with Jackson?
00:55:30Good.
00:55:32He's easy to talk to.
00:55:33Oh, that's great.
00:55:36I'm surprised he's not married.
00:55:38Seems like he'd be taken, but I guess that's good for me.
00:55:43What'd you guys end up doing?
00:55:45Just dinner.
00:55:46The work connection helped.
00:55:47Gave me something to talk about.
00:55:48Yeah.
00:55:50Oh, I, um, I meant to remind you that I have that list of guys
00:55:53if you wanted to ever go back through it or...
00:55:56I think I'd like to see if it works out with Jackson.
00:55:59So why don't we put that on hold?
00:56:02Oh, yeah.
00:56:03Yeah, okay.
00:56:05You guys gonna go to the Christmas party then?
00:56:07Yeah.
00:56:08You don't think that's a mistake, do you?
00:56:11No.
00:56:13No, it's great.
00:56:15Okay.
00:56:16Good.
00:56:38Hey, everything okay?
00:56:47Yeah.
00:56:48Yeah, I'm good.
00:56:49How about you?
00:56:50How are you doing, Marvin?
00:56:52Good.
00:56:53Good, yeah.
00:56:54Look, I'm really sorry about Amanda.
00:56:56Yeah, me too.
00:56:58Yeah, she seemed nice.
00:57:01But maybe not really sure what she wants.
00:57:05Yeah.
00:57:06Yeah.
00:57:07How's the reading?
00:57:09Oh, you know, I haven't really decided yet.
00:57:12That bad?
00:57:13Yeah.
00:57:15Yeah, I can't really put my finger on it.
00:57:18What's it about?
00:57:19Well, supposedly it's a romance.
00:57:22But I'm already on, what, page 30?
00:57:25And they've broken up.
00:57:26Not much of a romance.
00:57:28No.
00:57:30Something about it seems really familiar though, you know?
00:57:33Like the characters.
00:57:34The characters remind me of...
00:57:43Oh, you've got to be kidding me.
00:57:49Hey.
00:57:51Is everything okay?
00:57:53Is your book a joke?
00:57:56Haven't heard that about my writing in a while.
00:57:57You had to have known that I would have seen right through this.
00:58:00Maggie, calm down.
00:58:01The story about a boy who falls in love with a girl
00:58:03until her family convinces her to push him away?
00:58:06Yes, it is that, but...
00:58:08I don't appreciate your rewrite of history.
00:58:10Nor do I want to be a subject of one of your books.
00:58:12I changed the names.
00:58:14Oh, right.
00:58:15Like Regina, who's obviously Nicole.
00:58:17That doesn't make her any less of a villain.
00:58:19Have you met her?
00:58:20Or Sarah, any less me.
00:58:21Or my parents from being my parents.
00:58:23You write what you know.
00:58:24It's the number one rule of writing.
00:58:26Yeah, it's also the number one way of alienating people.
00:58:30Needless to say, we won't be publishing your book.
00:58:33Well, I'm sorry you feel that way.
00:58:39So much for letting the past go.
00:58:47Yeah, it's bad enough how he writes me, but you? Ugh.
00:58:50My character is mean.
00:58:52I wasn't like that.
00:58:53I just, you know, I never saw the side of him before.
00:58:56I thought that he...
00:58:57You know, no, this settles it.
00:59:00I had my doubts, but no, this is done.
00:59:03You had doubts?
00:59:04I never did.
00:59:05And I was totally right to warn Mom and Dad about Jackson.
00:59:09Wait, what?
00:59:10What?
00:59:12You warned Mom and Dad about Jackson?
00:59:14They were concerned anyway with both of you barely being out of high school.
00:59:18I was older than that, Nicole.
00:59:19By a year, maybe.
00:59:21Either way, it just wasn't right for you.
00:59:24What, the marriage or Jackson?
00:59:25Both.
00:59:26Especially since he didn't have any real plan of how to take care of you besides writing.
00:59:31Like I couldn't fend for myself?
00:59:33It doesn't matter now.
00:59:34This proves that Mom, Dad, and I were right.
00:59:39Yeah, I just don't know how I'm going to deal with him at work.
00:59:43Well, like you said, maybe it's time to move on.
00:59:52Hey, hey, hey.
00:59:54Watch.
00:59:55You ever notice how often he comes and talks with Amanda?
00:59:59Well, yeah, yeah, why wouldn't he?
01:00:01He's the head of accounting and he goes over credit card charges with her?
01:00:04He has a whole department.
01:00:07Well, he—
01:00:09Oh, you think that he's making up reasons to see her?
01:00:14Interesting, huh?
01:00:16Huh.
01:00:23I hate to see you go.
01:00:25Would it help if I shuffled your workload?
01:00:28No, it's not that.
01:00:29It's just—
01:00:31I just think it's time for me to move on.
01:00:33I am a bit concerned about some of your deadlines.
01:00:36Oh, well, the Wilmington Heights manuscript is nearly finalized,
01:00:39but I'll make sure of it before I go.
01:00:41And the others aren't going to suffer by being passed off to other editors.
01:00:48Jackson.
01:00:50He's offering to pick me up for the Christmas party.
01:00:52It's kind of sweet.
01:00:54That's good.
01:00:55Is there any way I can convince you to stay?
01:00:59No, but I'm not leaving until the end of the month, so I won't leave you in a lurch.
01:01:04Okay.
01:01:06Logic told Dana that the robbery wasn't aimed at Russo.
01:01:12Logic was also the first thing Dana ignored.
01:01:16Perhaps it was a lapse in the calm and collected masks she'd normally wear.
01:01:22But a hostage situation had that effect on her.
01:01:26Is Baker one of your authors?
01:01:30Yes.
01:01:32He's good.
01:01:34Mm-hmm.
01:01:36Maggie, um, are you going to finish reading my manuscript?
01:01:41Probably not.
01:01:43I'm not your editor anymore.
01:01:45Listen, can you just let me explain?
01:01:47I'm leaving right now.
01:01:48Listen, can you just let me explain?
01:01:51I'm leaving Red Lake Publishing.
01:01:54Why?
01:01:56It doesn't matter.
01:02:00What if I told you I did switch publishers when I found out you were at Red Lake?
01:02:05I would say I hope you didn't lose a lot of money on your prior contract.
01:02:08I wanted to be near you again.
01:02:11But all this time, I never stopped thinking about you.
01:02:15Yeah, that's pretty obvious.
01:02:18What?
01:02:19Look, did you come back to vilify me?
01:02:24To rub the past in my face?
01:02:27And now you're dating Amanda?
01:02:28I mean, is that supposed to make me jealous?
01:02:32That's what you think?
01:02:34I see what you're doing, Jackson.
01:02:36And your untitled book, frankly, it says it all.
01:02:39Yes, it does.
01:02:41But if that's what you're choosing to believe, I guess there's no convincing you otherwise.
01:02:46You know what? This is all so familiar.
01:02:48You've always been so quick to think the worst of me.
01:02:51I guess whatever's easier, right?
01:02:52What?
01:02:53At least this time, it's your choice, not your family's.
01:03:01I'm sorry, continue.
01:03:04The woods were oddly quiet, yet Russo's ears were roaring.
01:03:10Hey, Marvin.
01:03:11Hey, here you go.
01:03:12World famous Christmas chowder.
01:03:15It looks really good.
01:03:17You'll love it.
01:03:18Okay.
01:03:26Hey, Chester.
01:03:27Hey, Maggie.
01:03:28Mind if I sit with you?
01:03:29Yeah.
01:03:36You okay?
01:03:37What?
01:03:40You just look like you've had a rough day.
01:03:43Not just today.
01:03:44What do you mean?
01:03:46Christmas is just a, it's a hard time for me.
01:03:49Why?
01:03:50Well, um, well, let me tell you a story.
01:03:54I mean, you're an editor, right?
01:03:56You can tell me if this would be a good book, right?
01:03:59Okay.
01:04:00Okay, so Christmas time, six years ago.
01:04:05There's a man named, uh, Lester.
01:04:10And, uh, he's, he's dating the love of his life.
01:04:17And his career is on the rise with promise of promotion and stability to come like any day.
01:04:23And then the woman that he loves, we will call Miranda.
01:04:29Um, well, she gets this huge promotion while his doesn't materialize for quite some time.
01:04:37And foolishly, Lester blames her for it.
01:04:42So much so that, that, uh, drives a wedge between him and her.
01:04:46It's like he blames her for his circumstance.
01:04:50And then he breaks up with her.
01:04:55Broke her heart.
01:04:58So what happened to them?
01:05:01She thrived in her new job and, you know,
01:05:03he eventually got everything he wanted with his career.
01:05:06But he always remembers at this time of year what he did to her.
01:05:12You know, wonders what could have been.
01:05:15He's doomed to wonder till the end of time.
01:05:19Doesn't sound like a very happy ending.
01:05:22No, no, not a good book, huh?
01:05:26I'm sorry.
01:05:28Yeah, poor, poor Lester, huh?
01:05:33Yeah, poor Lester.
01:05:40Hey, HR dropped off tickets for the party.
01:05:42Oh, great, thanks.
01:05:44So how's the editor shuffle going?
01:05:47It'll be fine.
01:05:48I haven't told everyone yet, but after Christmas I will.
01:05:51Okay, you all set with Jackson?
01:05:53Yeah, we're all set for Friday night.
01:05:55Uh, no, I meant with, uh, with the new editor.
01:05:59Oh, sorry.
01:06:01So I'm debating between Brooks and David.
01:06:05David, David for sure.
01:06:07He'll be, he'll be a much better fit.
01:06:08You think so?
01:06:09Yeah.
01:06:10Oh, hey, I am really glad that you found a date for the Christmas party.
01:06:14I'm sorry it didn't work out with one of your guys.
01:06:16Oh, no, no, it's fine.
01:06:19I do appreciate you trying, though.
01:06:21It was really nice of you.
01:06:22Yeah.
01:06:24Hey, I have the updated numbers for November.
01:06:28Oh, great, just set them there.
01:06:29Great.
01:06:31Hey.
01:06:32Hi.
01:06:37So did it always bother you getting dates for Christmas parties?
01:06:42Or did that start a few years ago?
01:06:47Maybe.
01:06:48You think he regrets it?
01:06:51Whether he does or not, it's not my problem.
01:06:56Okay.
01:08:01So his hands felt clammy after years of wanting to see her again.
01:08:10Here she was.
01:08:12And he feared more than anything that he would ruin this chance.
01:08:16They held a common hope between them, one neither would or could admit yet.
01:08:21The hope for a chance without the interference of outsiders.
01:08:24Just two hearts yearning for the love of the other.
01:08:31So she held her breath as he stood before her.
01:08:41I never stopped loving you.
01:08:43It didn't matter to me what I might give up or risk.
01:08:46I had to take the leap and ask you one question.
01:08:49She waited, not daring to hope he was feeling what she felt.
01:08:54Could you love me again?
01:08:56Relief, euphoria, joy, and certainly love filled her soul.
01:09:01She pulled him towards her, embracing him like she never meant to let him go again.
01:09:06And as they kissed, he felt her lips against his as she whispered one sweet word.
01:09:13Yes.
01:09:25Our Christmas gift to dad.
01:09:28A hammock stand.
01:09:29You owe me 40 bucks.
01:09:30Wait, that's what you chose?
01:09:32You know that old hammock he's had forever?
01:09:35Yeah, the one he's never used?
01:09:37Because he didn't have a way to hang it.
01:09:40You couldn't think of anything, so zip it.
01:09:47On Friday, Andrew and I are taking the kids on a Christmas train ride.
01:09:51You want to go?
01:09:52That's really sweet, thanks.
01:09:53But I have that company Christmas party, you know?
01:09:56You going with anyone?
01:09:58No, I'm manning the toy donation table, the one for charity.
01:10:03I thought you might ask Jackson.
01:10:05It's a little late for that.
01:10:06He and Amanda are going together.
01:10:09So you wanted to ask him.
01:10:10Can we, can we just not talk about this?
01:10:13Okay, I really, I don't need another conversation where you tell me about how horrible he is
01:10:19and how you were right.
01:10:23Are you okay?
01:10:25I just, I can't.
01:10:28I know that there were reasons that you disapproved of him
01:10:31and I can remember excuses and that that's why I gave in.
01:10:35But there had to be, there had to be something else.
01:10:38That couldn't have just been it.
01:10:40Maggie, it's done.
01:10:42Just don't drive yourself crazy rehashing it.
01:10:45Yeah, that's easy for you to say.
01:10:48You already have everything that really matters.
01:10:51Please, can you just tell me?
01:10:52I really need some closure on this.
01:10:56You know, looking back on it now,
01:11:01my objection to Jackson and him wanting to be an author was an excuse.
01:11:09The whole age thing.
01:11:11I mean, I mean, mom and dad were concerned, but maybe the age thing bothered me.
01:11:19I'm the big sister after all.
01:11:22Wait, what, what do you mean?
01:11:24There you were, all ready to be grown up and marry someone.
01:11:30I was embarrassed, like it should be me first.
01:11:33I had no one back then.
01:11:36Why didn't you just tell me that?
01:11:38It's hard to admit your own insecurities.
01:11:42With me being concerned too, I guess it was easy for mom, dad and me
01:11:45to gang up on you and convince you to turn him down.
01:11:48So you're saying there's no good reason why you disapproved of him?
01:11:53Well, I don't know if I'd say that.
01:11:55Nicole.
01:11:55Look, it's not that I didn't want you to be happy.
01:11:58I didn't think of it like that.
01:11:59I just, I was only thinking about how it would affect me.
01:12:04And I was jealous.
01:12:07I'm so sorry, Maggie.
01:12:13What do you think of Jackson now that he's, now that he's back?
01:12:20I didn't want to be wrong about him.
01:12:23But maybe I am.
01:12:26He must think I'm horrible.
01:12:31I'm more worried about what he thinks of me.
01:12:40Hey, you know that story that Jackson wrote?
01:12:43The one that I let you read?
01:12:45Where I'm portrayed as the wicked witch of the West.
01:12:47Right, yeah, that one.
01:12:49I thought he was being cruel, but it turns out if you get to the ending,
01:12:55I think he was trying to help me see how he really feels.
01:13:00You still care for him, too.
01:13:02Tell him that.
01:13:06Look, he and Amanda are going to the Christmas party together.
01:13:08I can't do that to her.
01:13:11She deserves a nice guy, and he is one.
01:13:14If he's loved you all these years,
01:13:16don't you think he deserves to know how you feel?
01:13:20What would I even say?
01:13:23I don't even know where to start.
01:14:01I told you.
01:14:12Annette, good to see you.
01:14:13Have you met Jackson Jones?
01:14:15It's nice to meet you.
01:14:16Hi, you too.
01:14:27Here you go.
01:14:28Oh, great.
01:14:30This is perfect.
01:14:36Good to see you wherever it goes.
01:14:41Eventually, another month, we should have something fun.
01:14:45Here we go.
01:14:46Thank you for your generosity.
01:14:48It's some matchbox cars.
01:14:49Not sure it's that generous.
01:14:50I didn't want to be the only one who didn't bring something.
01:14:52Right, well, it's the thought that counts, right?
01:14:56I thought so.
01:14:57Have you tried the food?
01:14:59No, I'm not really that hungry.
01:15:01Well, I am.
01:15:03No, say stop.
01:15:04No, no, no.
01:15:08Ah, I see Amanda found a date.
01:15:11So much for your matchmaking streak.
01:15:13Yeah, I'm beginning to doubt I have any real mojo there.
01:15:16Well, you still tried.
01:15:18As you said, it's the thought that counts.
01:15:22Maybe you should set Chester up.
01:15:24Oh, no, no.
01:15:25I think that's one match I'm not going to be able to force.
01:15:32Ah, I see.
01:15:35What?
01:15:35Nothing.
01:15:36What?
01:15:36Nothing.
01:15:38Why don't you go dance?
01:15:39No, no one's dancing yet.
01:15:41Mingle then, get a drink and all that stuff.
01:15:44No, I need to stay here and take the gifts.
01:15:47It's my job.
01:15:47Yeah, well, you're a real critical cog in the machine there, Maggie.
01:15:51Go on.
01:15:51I'll make sure the whole operation doesn't fall apart.
01:15:54Go, go.
01:15:55You can get me one of those little cream puff things.
01:15:59You're really excited about a cream puff?
01:16:01Yeah.
01:16:02Okay, all right.
01:16:04One cream puff coming up.
01:16:12Oh, it's great to meet you.
01:16:13Likewise.
01:16:14Let me know if you have any problems with Red Lake.
01:16:16I know how to keep these guys in line.
01:16:18Very funny, Mr. Gordon.
01:16:25Nice party.
01:16:27We try.
01:16:30Are you having a good time?
01:16:32Yes, thank you.
01:16:36Marguerite, come meet Jackson Jones.
01:16:38Oh, hi.
01:16:41Hi.
01:16:56Hey.
01:16:58Oh, hi.
01:17:01How's the toy drive going?
01:17:02Oh, it's fine.
01:17:03You know, Dean's covering the table for me.
01:17:06Good, good.
01:17:07Yeah.
01:17:08Make sure you get a chance to enjoy the party.
01:17:12Are you?
01:17:16I think it's just business with Jackson.
01:17:19Oh.
01:17:22Oh, I'm sorry.
01:17:23I can't pretend there's any chemistry between us.
01:17:26It's all right, though.
01:17:29You know, for all my supposed matchmaking skills,
01:17:32I failed to see the chemistry that you already have with Chester.
01:17:36That's long gone.
01:17:38Is it?
01:17:42You know that he's sorry, right?
01:17:44I do.
01:17:46So why do you keep making him suffer?
01:17:50That's not what I'm doing.
01:17:51Do you know what you're doing?
01:17:56Look, if the situation was reversed,
01:18:00what would you want him to do?
01:18:02You met all of us.
01:18:03What would you want him to do?
01:18:05You met all these other guys, and you went out with Marvin,
01:18:08and I kept thinking to myself,
01:18:10what is it that I'm missing, right?
01:18:12Is there some kind of quality or character trait
01:18:15that you're looking for in a guy?
01:18:19But you didn't think that you could find a perfect match
01:18:22because you already had one.
01:18:26I thought I had.
01:18:30And you think that doesn't happen twice.
01:18:34And maybe it doesn't.
01:18:37That's all the more reason not to turn your back on it.
01:18:46Come on.
01:18:56Hey, Chester.
01:18:57Merry Christmas.
01:18:59Hey, Merry Christmas.
01:19:04Do you still like to dance?
01:19:08No, not really.
01:19:10Oh.
01:19:12I never really felt comfortable with anyone.
01:19:17Except you.
01:19:19You want to dance with me, then?
01:19:22I'd like that.
01:19:33So do I get credit for that one?
01:19:45Oh, yeah, you definitely called that.
01:19:49I'm really happy for her.
01:19:58You know I got this under control here, right?
01:20:00So, I have to run.
01:20:03It was a pleasure meeting you guys.
01:20:11Yeah, thanks.
01:20:21Jackson.
01:20:26Hey, go back inside.
01:20:28Party's still going strong.
01:20:30Yeah, I saw that you were leaving already.
01:20:33Not much reason to stay.
01:20:35Hey, look, I wanted to run something by you.
01:20:38It doesn't matter.
01:20:39I mean, when you're leaving your job,
01:20:41I'll just run whatever by the next editor.
01:20:43No, this isn't about work.
01:20:48Can you just listen?
01:20:52I...
01:20:58I never stopped loving you.
01:21:00It didn't matter to me what I might give up or risk.
01:21:12I had to take the leap, and I had to ask you one question.
01:21:20Could you love me again?
01:21:23You could run.
01:21:25Yeah, I borrowed it from this half-decent author that I know.
01:21:34I thought you didn't like his writing.
01:21:36Well, you gotta get to the end to really appreciate the whole story, right?
01:21:46Is that a...
01:21:49Yeah.
01:21:50Yeah.
01:21:53The only thing that my sister and my parents got right about us is that I was too young.
01:22:01I was...
01:22:02I was too young to know how to stand up for what I knew.
01:22:10And that was that you were everything that I always wanted.
01:22:14And somehow, I let myself be persuaded, thinking that I couldn't marry you,
01:22:19and that was...
01:22:21It was a horrible mistake.
01:22:26But the real mistake was letting you go.
01:22:34You say that now, and I would be lying if I said I didn't love you.
01:22:44I said that wasn't what I wanted to hear, but your family, they hate me for some reason.
01:22:50And are you really gonna choose me over them?
01:22:55Yeah.
01:22:56If that's what it came down to, yes.
01:23:01We've changed, right?
01:23:05And now they see what makes me happy.
01:23:11I haven't been happy since then, Jackson.
01:23:15Yeah.
01:23:17Every couple of years, I would.
01:23:19I would move around looking for a different job, looking for that thing that would fill that void,
01:23:25and just nothing worked.
01:23:31I still miss you.
01:23:34You must be freezing.
01:23:36It's not.
01:23:37It's not really the cold.
01:23:38Sure it's not.
01:23:40No, I'm just really nervous about what you're gonna say.
01:23:45Are you really?
01:23:47How could I not be?
01:23:49After how I acted?
01:23:54Could you really love me again?
01:24:09Yes.
01:24:11Yeah.
01:24:15Yeah.
01:24:37I love it.
01:24:38It's such a unique spin for you, too.
01:24:40I mean, I kept waiting for the mystery or the action to kick in.
01:24:44Some bad guy jumping out behind the Christmas tree.
01:24:46But you know what?
01:24:47Totally worked without it.
01:24:49I'm really glad you liked it.
01:24:54Thanks so much.
01:24:56Okay.
01:24:56Oh, just a sec.
01:24:57Okay, here.
01:24:58Replenishments and refreshments.
01:25:04Careful now.
01:25:05Some of your fans are gonna be crushed.
01:25:07I am not apologizing for loving my editors.
01:25:10Yeah, you say that until your sales tank.
01:25:13Couldn't care less.
01:25:14Hey, do you ever wonder if we would be here right now if we'd gotten married years ago?
01:25:21You mean like a published author, an editor?
01:25:23Yeah.
01:25:24I think it would be the same.
01:25:25Really?
01:25:26Why not? Nothing else has changed.
01:25:27What?
01:25:28I loved you then and I love you now.
01:25:35I love you, too.
01:25:37Always.