Page 17 of Through the Snow Globe
“Thanks.” Rochelle turned to Diana once Sparky had moved on to prepare the drinks. “So, what’s new with you?”
Diana cast her friend a look. “Really?”
Rochelle gave a rueful smile. “Yes, I know the obvious, but what about work? How’s your new supervisor?”
Diana sighed. From one bitter topic to another. “William is on a major power trip. He keeps calling me into his office to check up on me, like he even cares.”
“Maybe he does,” Rochelle said.
“He doesn’t. Then he assigns me work that he’s supposed to be doing himself.”
Rochelle lifted her brows. “What? Why?”
Diana shrugged. “He says he’s too swamped with important stuff, but I think he just doesn’t know what he’s doing. It’s pretty obvious he got the job solely based on his people skills, which I apparently lack.”
“That’s not true. You care about people more than anyone I’ve ever known. You just don’t give people a chance to care for you. You’re closed off.”
“Closed off?” Diana gave Rochelle a look. She wasn’t sure if that was better or worse than being called curt on her first ever Glow Card. “You mean I’m cold, like Elsa?”
Rochelle placed a quick hand on her forehead in mock disbelief. “I really can’t believe your patient said that. And Linus agreed with her.”
Diana shook her head. “He was just frustrated, and with good reason. The whole argument was my fault. He wanted to set a date. He was excited about getting married and I just pushed him off.”
“I’m sorry.” Rochelle gave her an apologetic look.
“Anyway, I guess it’s good that I didn’t get that promotion. With Linus’s accident, I don’t need added responsibilities. Even if I’m actually doing those added responsibilities for William anyway.” She tapped her fingers along the bar. “I’m tired of talking about me. What’s going on with you? Any new guys?”
Rochelle scoffed. “Well, the guy I was excited about last week turned out to be a complete jerk.”
“What guy?” Diana asked.
Rochelle glanced over. “Sorry. I didn’t get a chance to tell you about him.”
Diana felt her shoulders slump forward. “I’ve been a little—”
“Preoccupied. It’s completely understandable. My dating life, or lack thereof, is unimportant in comparison to your fiancé being in a coma.”
Diana felt the sudden need to apologize. “Your dating life is important to me. I’ve been a horrible friend, haven’t I?”
Before Rochelle could confirm or deny, Sparky slid two drinks in front of them.
“Here you two go! Enjoy!”
“Thank you,” Diana and Rochelle said in unison.
“You’re welcome.” Sparky winked and quickly moved on to the next customer. The bar was bustling tonight. Excitement about what tomorrow would bring hung thick in the air.
“I wasn’t thinking you were a horrible friend,” Rochelle said quietly. She reached for the bright green-colored drink.
“No?” Diana molded her lips around the candy-cane design straw.
“Of course not. I was thinking you’ve been through hell and back this past month. I can’t even imagine how hard this all is for you. I really think you should see someone, Diana. I can recommend one of my colleagues.”
Diana side-eyed her. “A psychologist?”
“Or a counselor. Anyone, really, just as long as you’re talking to someone. It can’t be me, though. I’m too partial and you don’t listen to me anyway.”
Diana expelled a sigh. Maybe her fake cheer worked on acquaintances, but Rochelle could see through the forced smiles. “Or,” she muttered, “I could just shake a snow globe and disappear into some fantasy land where I get to spend a whole day with Linus.”
