Page 39 of Ghost of Ex-mas Past
Once again, I’m thankful that Nash takes the holidays off and insists that Heartly’s offices operate with minimal staff. While I still check my email and Nash’s every day, a few responses are all that’s required.
There’s a knock at the door, and we all look at one another.
“Are you expecting anyone?” Mom asks the room, and we all shake our heads. Charlie catches my gaze, and I can see the thought behind his eyes:Is that Kit again?
I shrug while Yvette gets up to go to the door.
She returns a few minutes later with a package. “It’s for Bea!” she announces in a singsong voice.
I sit up and she deposits the box in my lap. It’s fairly big, wide enough that Kayla has to scootch over, but thin. And it is definitely addressed to me.
“Who’s it from?” Kayla asks.
The return address is my office. Huh. Usually Nash gives me a gift card for Christmas plus a generous bonus. I’m not sure what this could be.
“Open it,” Yvette squeals. Shelovespresents, and any kind of surprise, really.
I contemplate waiting till Christmas to open it for about two seconds, and then I rip into the box. Inside, there’s a smaller silver box—similar dimensions, just smaller—nestled in tissue paper with a card on top. The card partially covers the label, but I already know the brand: Balenciaga.
I open the card.
Bea,
I hope you have a great Christmas with your family. You’re the best assistant I’ve ever had. Thank you for your support and insight throughout the year.
Nash
Bea,
We are long overdue for a night out. I know just the place. Let’s put it on the calendar when you get back!
XO,
Clara
With the notecard are two gift cards—one to YSL Beauty, my favorite makeup store, the other a Visa prepaid card.
Yvette snatches the Visa card. “Oh, how much do you think is on it?”
I ignore her and lift the smaller box up. I carefully open it. Inside is neatly folded wool and lace and when I stand and hold it out to full length, I recognize it.
The last time I saw this skirt was two or three months ago. Clara had borrowed one of Heartly’s conference rooms to have a meeting with a woman who was wearing it, and I complimented it. I didn’t even know that Clara had overheard, much less remembered.
It’s fitted and just my size. It falls to just below my knee and reveals an underskirt of matching black lace.
It’s so pretty it takes my breath away, but is not so extravagant that I can’t wear it to work.
I also know that it costs two grand. It’s a very generous gift.
Mom takes it from me. “This is beautiful. It will look so lovely on you.”
Kayla lifts the outer layer to see how far the lace goes and how it’s attached, which makes us laugh. Yvette holds it up to her hips. “If only I lived closer to you. We could share wardrobes.”
Naomi snorts. “Like she wants to wear your Southwest uniform.”
“At least we don’t have to wear neckerchiefs anymore.”
I ignore my sisters and take the gift upstairs to my room, and when I get back, everyone’s returned their attention to the puzzle.
