“No. Sadly not. Although, I should’ve taken it as a sign.”
“That he was losing his vision?”
She lets out a sad excuse for a laugh, and I realize I never want to hear that version of her laugh again. A weird feeling claws up my chest to make her feel better.
“Seriously, what kind of idiot complains about a woman having curves? Off the record, your body is hot as fuck.”
Her cheeks turn into two red splotches. “Please pretend I didn’t say anything.”
“Why?”
“Because we shouldn’t be having this conversation. You’re my boss,” she whispers the words as if someone can hear us.
My molars press together. “I’m not technically your boss.”
“My contract begs to differ.”
“You report to Jenny, who then reports to me.”
“Well, you’re my boss’s boss, which means I should definitely not bring up my ex to you. So be a gentleman and shut up. Kay, thanks!”
I chuckle under my breath as I lean over and talk into her ear. “Gentle is the last thing I want to be around you.”
Her skin breaks out in goosebumps. “What are you doing?”
“Having fun.”
“Did I miss the start of the apocalypse or something?”
I unleash a small smile. Her eyes expand as she checks out my face.
She clears her throat, grabs my half-finished hot chocolate, and throws the cups away. By the time she comes back, her cheeks have lost their flush. I miss it.
“You’re cute when you get all flustered. If it was—” My response gets cut off by a chanting crowd counting down from ten. “What are they counting for?”
She beams as she looks up at me. “You’ll see!”
The crowd yells one and chaos erupts. Kids scream around us as foam snowflakes rain down around us. The hidden canisters across the quad spray us all and coat everyone’s hair and clothes in fake snow. Christmas music blasts from the speakers, basking the whole area in holiday cheer.
Zahra laughs as I swipe at my shoulder and bring the foam up to my eyes.
“What the hell is this? I don’t remember this being here when I was a kid.” My parents took us to this same village every year, yet I don’t recall snow being a part of the program.
“They added it last year!”
“This better not stain.” A pitiful excuse for a snowflake lands on my nose.
Her grin widens as she steps on her toes and brushes it away. “Don’t be such a stick in the mud.”
Foam rains around us, dropping onto her dark hair and clothes. Kids squeal and run around as they make foam angels on the grass.
“These people act like they’ve never seen snow before.”
“That’s because some of us haven’t!” She laughs up to the sky.
“Really?”
“Yes. Maybe one day.” She holds out her hand to collect more foam.
A child runs right into Zahra, throwing off her equilibrium. I reach out and grasp onto her arms before she topples to the ground. Another little speed demon runs right at her, but I tug her into me before he mows her down. Her hands smack against my chest and her eyes hold mine hostage. She feels perfect in my arms, and I’m tempted to keep her tucked beside me where I can protect her from all the darkness in the world, including myself.
I’m not sure what’s happening to me, but all I know is that I’m captivated by Zahra.