Page 36 of Scrooge

“So,you haven’t said anything about the budget,” Sheridan says. She and Laurent sit opposite me as I look through the full proposal for their grand holiday-themed party.

“It is… a sizeable sum,” I say, trying to tamp down my need to yell at them for being so frivolous, but every time I start to say something, I think of Haylee’s eyes when I told her I don’t donate.

“Tell me about the charity donation,” I ask them and watch as Sheridan looks at Laurent before they both look back at me.

“Well, holidays are for children. We thought that a donation to the children’s ward at the hospital would be a good option,” Sheridan says, and I nod.

“What about the homeless?” I despise the homeless, usually. Their lack of food and shelter, no doubt down to their own doing. But then I think of Deloris, and how Haylee sees her as a friend, and my thoughts shift.

“Homeless? You want to give to the homeless?” Laurent asks, eyebrows raised in surprise.

I clench my jaw as I nod, the movement easier than I was expecting.

“Oh, well, we can direct those funds from the hospital to the city’s homeless programs,” Laurent confirms, and I take a deep breath. It feels odd, as I hate giving away money. But all I can hear when I think about the homeless is Deloris shouting the word “dicks” over and over again. It’s fucking ridiculous, but my mouth moves before my mind can stop me.

“As well as,” I say, my jaw again ticking.

“As well as? Do you want to donate to both causes?” Sheridan asks, looking at me like I have grown a second head.

“That is probably a nice thing to do,” I say, and Laurent’s mouth widens into a grin I have only ever seen a few times before.

“Spit it out,” I snap at him.

“Nothing… it’s just, we are going to Tucker Toys later. We have a meeting with Haylee and her sister to talk through the toys and Santa that they are providing for the party,” Laurent says as he watches me carefully.

“That reminds me. Sheridan, Haylee will be accompanying me to the soccer game,” I tell her, in case she is collecting RSVPs or anything. I haven't been to a kids’ soccer game before, so I have no idea how they are structured.

“Great!” she says, smiling, although looking awfully confused.

“Anything else?” I ask them both, needing to move on, not wanting to think about what I have just committed to.

“Nothing.” Sheridan stands and walks out of my office while Laurent lingers.

“Soooo. Rumor has it that she slept over last night…” He’s playing coy, and I give him a deadpan look.

“I thought it would make more sense,” I tell him simply as I stand, needing to move.

“So… are you two getting along?” he asks, and I see him smiling at me expectantly.

“We have a contract, Laurent. We are both abiding by that contract.”

His face sours, as does the taste of those words on my tongue.

I watch as his eyes flick over me, assessing. “What’s that on your sleeve?” he asks, his eyes thinning, and I look down. I can’t see much, until I move a little, the lights of my office catching on the small gold flecks.

“Glitter,” I say, and Laurent looks at me sharply.

“Glitter? From where?” he asks, confused.

“Haylee brought over a glittery pumpkin for a Thanksgiving decoration.” I immediately wish I didn’t say it as his face lights up and his eyes widen. He starts to say something, but I interrupt him before he can.

“It’s just a contract,” I murmur, feeling tense, and he picks up on my demeanor.

“Of course.” He nods resolutely. “I will tell her you said hi.” Walking out the door, he closes it behind him. I remain standing, my mind drifting back to Haylee as I glance down at my jacket sleeve again, seeing it sparkle. I’m suddenly a little jealous that Laurent gets to spend the afternoon with her. There are still a few weeks to go until the holidays, and we need to get through Thanksgiving first. I walk to my office intercom.

“Angela,” I say abruptly.

“Yes, Alexander?” When she says my full name, it all feels a little too formal now.

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