“What did he say?”
“He said he was tired of wondering what I was thinking. It was just, Jesus, the way he said it.”
For the second time in ten minutes, I manage a genuine smile. It seemed that the people in my every day were experiencing the opposite effect of the three-week kickoff to the winter of my discontent.
It was a boyfriend you didn’t have feelings for.
Your toe has almost healed.
You’ve needed a new car for years, not weeks.
Stuart got the promotion. You’ll deal.
Even as I try to coax myself into better thinking, the weight of the last blow is too heavy to ignore.
“Sounds like it’s going to be a good night. I’m so happy for you.”
Sophie gives me a concerned side-eye as I push the elevator button.
“I’m so sorry about the promotion. If it helps, you handled it like a rockstar. If you need me tonight, I can—”
“Don’t you dare. I’m leaving for North Carolina first thing tomorrow, and I still haven’t packed. I’ll deal. I really am so happy for you, and you better text me.”
“Sure?”
“Positive. I’m good, swear.”
She glances toward the party as Jonathan emerges from his office, his eyes searching for her in the crowd. We both watch as he scans the space, and I can feel the anticipation rattling from her frame.
“Go,” I urge, and she pulls me into a quick hug. I have to fight to keep my cupcake intact.
“Merry Christmas, Whit.”
A lump forms in my throat, and I shake off the emotion, too afraid for her to see just how much I needed her hug.
“Merry Christmas,” I murmur. “Go get your man, and don’t you dare forget to text me.”
She blinds me with her smile, and I see her demeanor shift as she tosses back her shoulders and confidently strides toward Jonathan—a slight sway in her hips. A sway Jonathan’s gaze doesn’t miss when his eyes land on her, a sexy, satisfied smile upturning his lips.
Soaking in the vicarious moment, I envy her as I live it with her, excited for the text to come. Even in my disgruntled state, I feel an ancient part of me—a part that constantly hoped for those types of moments—stir to consciousness as the elevator opens.
Once inside, I juggle my purse and my consolation cupcake and check my phone to see a missed text from my sister.
Serena: When are you coming?
Tomorrow.
Serena: What time are you getting here?
When I show up.
Serena: Give me a time.
Annoyed, I cram the enormous cupcake into my mouth to free my fingers.
Curious as to when your babysitter is arriving? You’re going to have to stick that duty on Grandma this year. Heads up, I’ll be drunk the entire time.
Serena: You’ve been so bitchy lately. I’m just excited to see you. Or I was.
Sorry. Just found out Stuart got the promotion.
Serena: I forgot you were going to find out today. I know how much you wanted it. I’m so sorry.
Thanks.
Serena: Well, hurry up and get here. I’ll cheer you up. And just wait until you see the place. Mom went all out. It’s going to be great. You’ll see.
Normally, I’d jump at the chance to spend time with my family, but no part of me is excited about the days to come because of the amount of enthusiasm I’ll have to fake to make it through. Any amount of Christmas mojo I had was snatched away with the VP announcement. At the same time, a tiny ray of hope buds inside of me that my family may just be the thing to knock me out of my slump.
K. Excited. Love you.
Mouth stuffed beyond capacity, I begin to wipe the excess from my face when the elevator door opens. It’s when I hear the strangled karaoke streaming in that I realize, along with a napkin, I forgot to push the lobby button. Not only that, the entirety of my mouth and chin are covered in neon green icing as I come face to face with the two most attractive of my co-workers, Jared and Wes. Both early thirties recruits Rich brought in this year, stating they were ‘the future of the firm.’ They came in guns blazing and snagged a campaign from beneath me. Two men I threatened to take down just minutes after the client left. Two men who now gape at me with widening eyes as I furiously wipe the icing away from my squirrel nut-filled mouth—humiliated. Wes lowers his eyes in embarrassment for me as I do my best to swallow some of it down.
I take a step back as their collective colognes fill the elevator, and both turn their backs to me. Jared makes a show of pushing the L button, his frame shaking with silent laughter before he speaks up with a salty tongue.