Page 49 of Yule Know It When You See It
You talk to her yet?
Me
Nope. But not from a lack of trying.
Spencer
What’s that supposed to mean?
I’m on the sidewalk now, passing traffic lights and tourists, simultaneously texting Spencer. It’s a feat to multitask while avoiding bumping into droves of tourists flooding the streets.
Me
She’s avoiding me. And succeeding.
Spencer
She’s committed. I’ll give her that.
Me
It’s fine. The office holiday party starts in a few minutes.
Spencer
Ah ha. Perfect opportunity for that Nord charm, eh?
I smirk at this. Charming isn’t a word I’d have ever thought to describe myself.
Me
Something like that. And I’m about to the building, so I’m going radio silent.
Spencer
Fill me in. Go get her, Grizzly.
I pause in front of the office building doors, arching a brow at my phone screen.
Me
Isn’t it supposed to be “tiger.”
Spencer
Sure, but you’re more of a bear.
Shaking my head and not answering him, I mute my phone and shove it in my back pocket.
Mary has gone the extra mile setting up the office for this party. The typical decorations hang from desks and light fixtures, but she’s added a ton more. It looks like a dozen garage’s worth of storage contained decorations has exploded but organized to perfection. Even the plastic cups surrounding the ice sculpture punch bowl each have a different colored bow stuck to them.
My mind fixates on the overstimulation of my senses from so many color varieties, sparkling objects, and varying patterns, but my mind pushes past it all, determined to find one person in particular. My gaze pushes through the fog of glitter and holiday cheer, searching for the sole reason I decided to attend the party in the first place. But I come up empty. She’s nowhere to be found, and my heart melts to my feet.
Mary clears her throat and stands in front of the crowd as if getting ready to make some formal announcement. She’s wearing a red and green Christmas sweater with a t-rex on the front in a matching sweater, but the sleeves don’t fit its short arms. She raises her hands, asking for the murmuring conversations to cease.
“Everyone, thank you so much for coming and taking the time to dress to the theme. You all look amazing. Especially you, Rob.” Mary points at a man with spiky brown hair wearing a black sweater with alternating trees and goalie masks. A moose-shaped mug is in the center with a station wagon, mobile home, and the wordsFun, Old Fashioned Family Xmas. Christmas Vacationis one of my absolute favorite holiday movies.”
I roll my eyes and make for the punch bowl, inwardly hoping it’s spiked.
