Page 17 of Yes to The Holidays
“Janie, we have support staff in Canada monitoring things. I think we’re good for a few days,” my assistant, Candy, said. She was as beautiful as she was smart and could play Snow White with her ivory complexion, red lips, and dark hair.
“I know, I know. Just trying not to have staff on site for the holiday. Everyone deserves a break and a nice day of thanks.”
Gage scoffed, pushing his black square glasses up his nose. “Ha. Not everyone. I hope Donnie chokes on a turkey bone.” A sinister grin crept over his face as he brushed the shaggy brown curls from his forehead.
“Gage! We shouldn’t wish such things on anyone.” I smirked. “But remind me to get you some of that good whiskey you like.”
The four people in the meeting room with me laughed. They had all been with me almost as long as the business had existed. Oddly, while none of them made a fuss over it, none of them ever seemed to care for Donald, or Donnie as everyone called him. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of the nickname because he thought it made him sound cooler than he was.
Trisha tapped her pen on the table. “You nervous?” She twirled a wavy blonde lock around her finger as she leaned over the table.
“Why would she be nervous, Trish? She’s ecstatic, right boss?” Evan said, more of a statement than a question. His squared jaw and intense gaze made him look entirely too sure of himself. He was certainly handsome, but he knew it and made sure everyone else did, too.
“Shut it, Clark Kent-lite,” Trisha said before she started gathering her notes, phone, and coffee.
“Guys, no in-fighting. Especially during the holidays.” I scanned the room with my intense gaze.
“Sorry,” Trisha and Evan said at the same time.
“Right. I’m indifferent, honestly,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “I’ve known this was coming for a while now. Maybe even before I knew, you know what I mean? So, it’s almost like another meeting.”
Trish put the end of the pen to her mouth before asking, “But you don’t feel a little sad?”
All eyes were on me waiting for a response. “I don’t know. I think all the sad left already. I just want to be done. Plus, well, never mind.” I somehow almost guided the conversation to my wild few days with Odin.
“Excuse me, ma’am, but I know that grin. You’re not sad because you’ve been satisfied!” Candy squealed.
“What?” My cheeks went warm. Shaking my head, I started gathering my papers to prepare to leave.
“Janie, we’ve all known you a long time. The only time you’ve ever had that face was after we saw Magic Mike and when you had that trip with Donnie to Mexico. Someone has had a good time. Tell us everything!” Trisha beamed.
I couldn’t get the stupid grin off my face. “Okay, I’ve had a little tryst.” They all grinned with cocked eyebrows, so I waved them off. “It’s short term, nothing crazy. The man is only in town through next week. So, I figured, why not have a little fun?” Maybe if I said that enough, I’d start to believe it.
“Well, you deserve it. I hope he’s jacked with a big dick. Too bad you can’t rub it in Donnie’s face,” Candy said, finally gathering her own things.
Everyone stood, preparing to leave the meeting room. “Hey, not a word. I know he’s the official cheater, but I don’t want the whole office to know about my escapade, alright?”
“You mean sexcapade, boss?” Gage said, waggling his brows.
I pushed his shoulder. “That’s right.Boss. So not a word. I mean it. I don’t want to hear his shit.”
Evan stopped at the door, holding the handle before any of us could leave. “Janie, you deserve only good things. And on behalf of us all, thank God you’re finally getting rid of that asshat. Good luck today.”
The kind words from the stoic and mildly stuck-up man warmed my chest. “Thank you, Evan. I’m blessed to call you colleagues and friends. Now, you all have a great rest of the week, and I’ll see you Monday.” I made sure to either shake their hands or squeeze their wrists before leaving the room.
I took my notepad back to my office and checked my emails quickly to be sure I got as much done as I could before I left. I’d check in periodically but hoped to get a little distance from work and real life for a few days, so I needed to take care of any loose ends.
“Knock, knock,” Eddie said as he poked his head in the door.
Smiling up at him, I waved him in. “Come on in. Happy early Thanksgiving.”
He settled in the chair across from my desk. “Just popping in to check on you. You leaving soon?”
I nodded. “Yep. Just taking care of a few things before I head out. You having the family over tomorrow?”
He smiled. “Oh yeah. I have big plans to stuff my face, play with the grandbabies, and nap to football. It’s going to be amazing. You going to see your folks?”
Sighing, I answered, “Yeah. I suppose so.”
