Page 37 of Yes to The Holidays
I tightened my lips but raised a brow.
“That bad, huh? Well, it’s fine because now you’re making up for it.”
I tossed my pen on the desk and leaned back in my chair. “Yeah, but it’s going to be a disaster. Why did he have to walk into the bar that night?”
“I believe in fate. So maybe it was meant to be? What a wonderful story to tell your kids.”
When the word kids rolled from her tongue, a pang shot into my chest.
“Are you alright?”
I cleared my throat. “Yeah, just tired. But once it gets out, because you know it will, it’s going to be a shitstorm. Donald was already accusing me of fucking my way to the top last week.”
Candy stood, drawing a sharp breath. “What? Is that what you were arguing about? That prick! You have to report him, Janie!”
I shook my head and motioned for her to sit down. “No. I said what I needed to say. I don’t need to draw any attention to the situation. It’ll only make it look worse if I tattle.”
“You have a right to be comfortable here. And it’s not his business. Donald is such a snake he’d fuck Odin if he thought it would get him ahead.”
My belly laugh couldn’t be contained. Candy laughed with me and sat back down.
I grabbed my pen and straightened in my chair. “You’re probably right. But it still looks bad. I know there’s no rules, but this still can be construed as favoritism.”
“But you’re not getting any special treatment. Except after hours,” she said as she wiggled her brows.
“I wish he wasn’t so great. Then I could just cut it off, go back to normal.”
“But?”
“Candy, emotions are stupid. But we can’t always control them. I should be able to be strong and do the right thing. Donald gave me some bullshit about how he couldn’t help himself with Shelly. And I told him he didn’t accidentally lose his clothes and fall into her pussy. How is this different? I should be able to walk away from this.”
“First of all,” Candy said, waving her hand, “do not ever compare yourself to Donald, gross. And second of all, you are not married to this company, and neither is Odin. And it’s not like you’re an intern looking to get ahead, like Shelly. You’re already in a place of power. I seriously don’t see any issue. Maybe don’t hump in the breakroom, and you’ll be fine.”
The smirk crossed my face before I could stop it.
“Oh shit! You humped in the breakroom?”
“No! Nothing like that.” Her stare bored into me, so I had to elaborate. “Okay, there may have been an incident in here. But only once!”
Candy looked around. “Not in this seat, right?”
“No!”
“No judgment, just don’t want to ruin my pants.”
“See, this is a mess.” I dropped my head to my hands.
Candy put her pad and pen down. “Listen, it’s what you make of it. Don’t make it an issue, and it won’t be. Seriously, everyone loves you and hates Donald. He’s the only one who would have a problem with this, and for all the wrong reasons.”
“We shall see. Honestly, I don’t think he intends to be at the office much once the deal is done. So maybe it won’t be. I just–”
“What?’”
I blew a breath through puffed cheeks. “Whether it’s work or Odin, I’m scared to get burned again.”
“I can’t speak on Odin because I don’t really know him, but you know your job is protected for a couple of years, and I doubt he’d want any bad press either. You don’t have to worry about your reputation.”
“So that just leaves worrying about my heart.”
