Page 136 of My Merry Mistake
“So I’m told.”
His whole face frowns. “Don’t tell me you’re a Scrooge.”
“Maybe an ex-Scrooge.” I think of my cozy little armchair right next to my Christmas tree and how much I love my new morning ritual. Then I think of my Scrooge McDuck ornament and smile to myself. I think the real Ebenezer is pretty much gone.
“You look good, Raya. Rested. Brighter, even,” he says. “How are you feeling?”
“Good,” I say. “Really, really good.”
“That’s amazing to hear,” he says. “Truly.”
“But I need to discuss something with you.” I close the door, aware that my entrance has garnered a few nosy looks.
“Oh, boy,” he says. “You’re not quitting, are you?”
I laugh and take a seat on the opposite side of his desk. “No, not quitting.”
“Good. If you were, my entire plan would’ve backfired.”
“No, I think you were right to insist on the time off.” I cross one leg over the other. “It was good for me.”
“See? I know what I’m doing.” He smiles, folding his hands on his desk. “So, what’s on your mind?”
“My work schedule.” I meet his eyes. “I need to work less.”
He nods. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
“Really?” I ask. “I’m not looking to shirk responsibilities or anything—my jobisstill important to me.” I pause. “But my life ismoreimportant. Or at least, I want it to be.”
“I think we can find a balance,” he says, and it dawns on me how lucky I am to work here. The last company I worked for would not have been this accommodating. Brian meant it when he said the Comets organization prioritizes the health of their employees and their athletes. I’ve seen it in action.
We talk through ways to dial back my hours, starting with the extra tasks I’ve been taking on. He has a lot of great advice on sticking to this plan, and I listen when he warns me that it would be really easy to end up right back in the same spot if I’m not careful.
“You have to protect your time off. Diligently,” he says. “Whatever that looks like for you.”
I’m not sure what it looks like for me, but I want to find out. I want to leave some margin for time that isn’t structured or planned.
This makes me think of Finn, who is the undisputed king of unplanned time.
As his face appears in my mind, I realize something.
I miss him.
He’s been back for a few days, but I’ve been putting him off, purposely trying to maintain the distance I’m sure I need to quash this little crush I have.
But I can’t deny that all it’s done is make me miss him more.
After my meeting with Brian, I walk down to my office and, when I flip on the light, I see a “Welcome Back” banner hanging on the wall behind my desk.
Jill appears in the hallway behind me, Landyn and Hoff close behind.
“We’ve been waiting for you to get out of your meeting,” Jill says. “Are you feeling better?”
There was a time I would’ve hated this attention, but now I see it for what it is—kindness.
“I am, thank you.” I smile and hang my coat on a hook near the door, then walk to my desk. I look at the three of them, standing just past the threshold of my office, and I think about what Finn said about Landyn being terrified of me.
I smile and point to the banner. “Did you do this?”
