Page 1 of Santa Baby Maybe
Prologue
Kane Co. Holiday Party
Christmas Eve
Denver
Joy
“Are you okay?” Sophie asked me as we rode up in the elevator to the fifth floor of the building where we worked together. I say worked together, but Sophie was the boss’s sister. She really was Kane Co. Tonight was Christmas Eve and Kane Co., a Christmas ornament company, was about to have its very first blowout holiday party.
As the company’s head ornament designer, I’d been so excited for tonight. Excited enough to agree to Sophie’s plan to get all dolled up and break out of normal routines.
Sophie headed up the warehouse and shipping departments. As such, she was a jeans and boots girl all the way. Me, I was loose tops and skirts that hid things.
Tonight, neither of us were hiding anything. Tonight, we were sexpots.
Maybe if I hadn’t done it. Maybe if I hadn’t bought the strapless black cocktail dress, I wouldn’t have grabbed my black clutch bag to go with it. Maybe if I hadn’t reminded Sophie to pack lipsticks and condoms, because I was pretty sure Sophie had an agenda for the night that involved a special someone, I wouldn’t have thought to check my own clutch for essentials.
Lipstick. Mirror. Emergency tampon.
In case I got my period. Which was when it dawned on me—I should have already had my period last week. This meant I was officially late.
I was never late.
I was NEVER late.
Don’t think about it. Don’t think about it. Certainly don’t think about him!
“I’m fine. Just nervous, I guess. I’ve never worn anything like this before.”
“You look amazing. We both do. We just need to own it. Remember, we got this,” Sophie said, even as she grabbed my hand and squeezed it.
The elevator doors dinged.
“Yep,” I muttered. “We’ve gotsomething.”
The doors opened, and Sophie and I stepped out into the party that was obviously in full swing. Tonight the space was filled with fairy lights and poinsettias and looked like something out of a Hallmark movie.
Employees with their spouses, all dressed in their very best, filled the room chatting and partaking of the hors d’oeuvres and free booze. There was an open bar that took up one side of the room and a band playing in the corner. There was even a chocolate fountain where people lined up to dip stuff in it.
Sophie and I split up and I started to wander through the crowds of people looking for members of my team. The key was going to be to keep my cool with everyone even while I was losing my shit on the inside.
“There she is! Our company savior!”
I jumped at the words said directly behind me and then settled down. It wasn’t him. I turned with a rueful smile for Wes Kane, Kane Co.’s fearless leader.
This was perfect, I thought. Now that I’d seen Wes, maybe I could make my excuses and leave. In a crowd like this, it was doubtful I’d even be missed. Maybe I wouldn’t have to run intohimat all.
“I would hardly say that,” I said in answer to his proclamation, but I stepped into his open arms for a hug. Wes was that kind of boss.
“The Golden Rings was your brainchild and you executed it. We wouldn’t be in the kind of shape we are today if you hadn’t had the idea and the talent to pull it off. I’m serious, Joy. I owe you. Everyone in this room owes you. Hell, I’ll even fire W.B. if you want me to. You’ve asked me to do it enough times.” Wes laughed.
“No! You can’t do that. You know he’s responsible for the success, too. Just because we don’t get along…”
Wes held his hands up. “Joy, relax. I was only teasing. There is no way in hell I’m firing my CFO who managed to miraculously turn a dying company into a thriving one. But if it will give you a thrill to watch me, I’ll do it. Right before I hire him back.”
I smiled. Because it would be fun for five seconds to see the look on his face. Then I shook my head. “I’m good.”
