Page 2 of Maybe This Christmas
He lolled his head to the side and glared at her.“You’ve said your piece.Can I go back to wallowing now?If we agree that it’s just until the kids return in January?It’s a temporary wallow, not even three weeks.I’ll even consent to appear at the twenty-odd family functions you and Mom have planned over the holidays.I’ll even check in once a day.Fair?”
Sabrina set her phone down and glared at him.“I had another idea.One that will do a better job at taking your mind off things.”
He groaned.“You’re becoming more like the biddies every day, I swear.”
She gave her brother a not-so-friendly slap on the arm.“Come on, get showered and dressed.Trim up that disaster of a beard, too.We’re going out.”
“Where to?”
She rose to her feet.“The quicker you get ready, the sooner you’ll find out.In the meantime, I’m going to clean up.”She grabbed a handful of energy can drinks and crushed them between her hands one by one before she tossed them into the trash.
Caleb didn’t have it in him to fight anymore.He slipped past his sister toward the bathroom.On the way, he passed the empty room his daughters shared.He exhaled.Maybe Sabrina was right.
* * * *
Emma refused to cry, especially not over a stupid job.
After all, why should she?She hated this job and was going to leave anyway.In January, probably.
Maybe.
Still, as she looked over the workspace she’d occupied for the last three years, she felt a sense of sadness.This was one chapter of her life over.She’d assumed she’d leave by choice, not via a lay-off.
She gave a half-hearted wave to her former boss on her way out.She didn’t miss the silent presence of a security guard behind her.Since she was no longer an employee, she must be regarded with suspicion.
How humiliating.
She walked wordlessly to the elevator, carrying a box of various knick-knacks and office supplies she had collected over the years.When the elevator doors opened on the ground floor, she found a mostly empty lobby.
Of course, her manager had waited until after six p.m.to lay her off.A blessing she’d stayed later for once, he’d told her.At least she could start the weekend free, along with her one-month severance package.
She stepped out into the blustery December evening.The last thing she felt like doing was carting her belongings on the Metro.
With a sigh, she nestled the box between her hip and the wall, pulled on her gloves and hat, and tucked the box against her as she began her four-block walk to the station.
Washington, DC, was illuminated for Christmas.White lights twinkled on tree branches, and elaborate decorations hung in the shop windows she passed.She usually loved the holidays.Well, she hadn’t always.Now, she could create her own happiness, unlike when she was a kid.
The light changed, and she stepped into the street.She made it no more than three steps before a white Mercedes G-Wagon stopped before her.She cursed under her breath and jumped back onto the curb.The driver flicked the hazards on and swung open the door.
“Emma, get in the car.”She looked up to find her fiancé, Davis.
Former fiancé?Current fiancé?She supposed it was the latter, since they’d never made the break official.Their relationship status was nebulous, at best.She still wore the ring because he got mad if she didn’t.But they’d had a big fight a couple of months back, and things had never been the same.Neither of them had wanted to make the break official just yet, either.
Out of habit, she’d texted him after receiving the news.He hadn’t replied, of course.He was a financial consultant and was always in meetings.Besides, she was well aware of her ranking on his list of priorities.
He made no effort to pretend otherwise.Work was the most important factor in his life.Especially given that his new promotion meant he’d be moving to New York in the new year.They were mostly roommates now, leaving messages for each other on the fridge or occasionally sending a text.
They each got something out of the relationship.She was his glorified assistant, helping to keep his busy life on track.She got to be a bystander in his very fancy life and the security of a stable relationship.Sure, she contributed financially to their life, but she could’ve never afforded to go fifty-fifty on a life that would suit Davis’ standards.
He stepped out of the car, took the box from her, and set it in the backseat.She looked left and right before she ducked into the street to climb in the passenger side.“Sorry.You always told me I shouldn’t get into cars with strangers.”
He snickered as she closed the door and buckled in.“I know, I know.You tell me a white G-wagon is a dime a dozen in this city.You won’t have to worry about that when we move to New York.I’m going to sell the car.”
He flicked off the hazards and merged back into traffic along K Street when an opening occurred.
Davis was perfect on paper.Handsome—sure, in a slightly evil young President Snow fromThe Hunger Gameskind of way, but whatever—and while not exactly the kindest person in the world, he’d always been loyal to Emma.
As far as she knew, anyway—she never pressed.That was the thing in their relationship—they were both excellent at sticking their heads in the sand.
