Page 45 of Through the Snow Globe
“Uh-oh,” Rochelle said, noting Diana’s expression as she walked up. “What happened?”
Diana pulled out a chair and plopped down, her body feeling like lead. “If I was the only applicant for the job, I still wouldn’t get the promotion. That’s how bad the meeting went this time.”
“This time?” Rochelle lifted a brow.
A waitress set two drinks down on the table.
“Thanks,” Diana told the waitress. Then she looked at Rochelle, ignoring her slipup and changing the subject. “How did you know I’d want one of these?” She gestured at the fruity drink. Diana was the one repeating this day and privy to information ahead of time, not Rochelle.
Rochelle shrugged as she molded her lips around her own straw. “Just a guess. It works for celebrating—or commiserating,” she said before sucking some of the red-colored drink into her mouth.
Diana laughed even though she didn’t feel even a tiny ounce of joy. On the contrary, she felt miserable. “I have to drive when I leave here, so I shouldn’t have more than a couple sips.”
“Oh, come on,” Rochelle chided. “It’s my birthday. By the time you leave here, the alcohol will have worn off.”
Diana didn’t plan to stay that long, but she didn’t want to disappoint her friend just yet. She’d done that on the first two rounds of this day. At least Maria wasn’t breaking her ankle in this time loop. That was a success, albeit not one that would keep Diana warm at night for the next fifty years. “Happy birthday, by the way,” Diana told Rochelle. “I hope your day is going better than mine.”
Rochelle’s cheeks flushed subtly as she bit into her lower lip for a beat. “It is, as a matter of fact. I met someone.”
“You met someone? Like a guy someone?” Diana asked, spirits lifting. This was new. This hadn’t happened on either of the first two December 4ths.
“Mm-hmm. He works in the office next to mine. He usually picks up our deliveries and brings them inside. Today he walked into my office, though, and brought me a tiny bouquet of flowers. For my birthday.” Rochelle’s grin spread through her cheeks. “I mean, it could just be a nice gesture. He saw the flowers you sent when he dropped off our mail. Thank you, by the way. After that, he walked down the way to the florist and got me some more flowers.”
“That’s great, Rochelle.” Diana actually did feel happy right now. And intrigued. The do-over day was working out well for Rochelle too. Diana was positive this hadn’t happened before because Rochelle had lamented both times about being single.
Rochelle shrugged. “The birthday gods have smiled down on me, I guess. A handsome lawyer is exactly what I would have asked for on my birthday if I thought there was a possibility of getting such a thing.”
“What did the card say?” Diana asked.
“ ‘Thank you for being you.’ ” Rochelle brought her drink to her mouth and took a sip.
“Aww. That’s sweet.”
“Isn’t it?” Rochelle smiled to herself.
“Maybe I should have sent Linus flowers today too,” Diana said.
“Heshould be the one sendingyouflowers. Why would you send him some?” Rochelle asked.
Diana still hadn’t sipped her drink. She wanted it, but she needed to have a clear mind to get through the rest of this day. Maybe her day would take a turn for the better too. “We’ve been fighting a bit.”
Rochelle’s voice dropped an octave as she leaned in toward Diana. “I’m sorry. Want to talk about it?”
“It depends. Are you being a counselor right now or a friend?” Diana asked.
Rochelle shrugged. “Whatever you need.”
Diana took a tiny sip of her drink. She wasn’t going to tell Rochelle what was really going on with this day. Her best friend would think she’d completely lost it. “Linus thinks I’m choosing work over him. He says I’m always too busy these days, and he’s upset that I haven’t nailed down a date for our wedding. He’s worried I have regrets about saying yes.”
“Do you?” Rochelle lifted a brow as she pursed her lips around her straw and drank.
“Of course not. He’s the one for me. I was just trying to get the management job at work.”
“Which will mean longer hours and a higher workload for you. Are you sure that’s what you really want?” Rochelle asked.
Diana didn’t appreciate her friend’s doubt. “I’ve been seeing patients for nearly a decade. It’s time for me to move up the ladder.”
“Says who?” Rochelle asked.
