Page 62 of All's Fair in Love and Christmas
He remembered something. “Hey, didn’t your brother marry a woman from Nigeria?”
Silence hung on the line. Jeremy checked the phone. They were still connected.
“I’m trying to make sense of why you’re asking about a holiday drink and my sister-in-law, but you’re going to have to connect those dots for me.”
He really didn’t want Jill to make a big deal out of his idea of the global Christmas party, but he couldn’t think of a way around telling her.
“Mackenzie has been making everyone else’s Christmases special. I thought it would be nice if we gave back to her by celebrating the way she and her mom did growing up. A little holiday world tour without leaving the office.”
Jill didn’t respond. Jeremy thought she’d squeal or gush or go on about how it was about time he saw the carrot for his nose. She didn’t do any of those things.
“My sister-in-law makes the most delicious coconut jollof rice at Christmas. I’ll ask her for the recipe.”
“Thank you.”
“And Lincoln’s granny’s sorrel as well.”
“I appreciate it.”
Jill yawned. “And Jeremy?”
“Yes?”
“I’m glad you finally came to your senses.”
He chuckled. “Me too. Good night.”
“Good night.” The phone clicked, ending the call.
He’d have to talk to everyone else from work tomorrow. Especially Sofiya. He didn’t think she’d hesitate to change plans for the office party, but he needed to bow out of being considered for the promotion as well. While the job description fit him like a glove and he could use the money for the twins’ college fund, he didn’t feel right running against Mackenzie any longer. Because of his personal feelings and the revelation as to why she needed the raise. He couldn’t do that to her.
He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep as thoughts of mistletoe and new beginnings danced in his head.
25
How was he going to organize an office party that required everyone’s cooperation in a single day’s time while keeping it a secret from Mackenzie? What he needed was a reason for her to leave the office. Then he could call a meeting and share what he wanted to do and how everyone could help.
He could enlist Keri for backup. Yes, that would work. Keri could take Mackenzie out for lunch, and he could get everyone on board to surprise her for Christmas.
Jeremy stepped out of the way of a mother pushing a stroller, then opened the door to the office building. He rode the elevator up, mentally going over the list of things he’d need to purchase or organize to make the party perfect.
He’d already ordered a few large paról lanterns the night before and had paid extra for one-day shipping. He hoped the design was similar to the one Mackenzie and her mother had made together. As far as table decorations, he’d ordered some wreaths with candles like those worn on girls’ heads in Norway, and Christmas crackers that people in England loved to pop at their holiday feasts. After work, he planned to pick up a number of poinsettia plants. He’d learned they were used to decoratenativities in Mexico because of a legend of a brother and sister who were poor and set a bouquet of weeds at a nativity on Christmas Eve. Miraculously, the leaves of the weeds turned a vibrant red, just like the poinsettia plant.
Did Mackenzie know that legend? He only had the memories she’d recounted to him in the car on the way to the hospital to go on, but even if he didn’t get every detail correct about places and traditions she and her mother had celebrated in the past, he thought it would be all right.
The elevator settled, and the doors opened. Jeremy looked around the office. He didn’t see Mackenzie or Keri. It was the perfect time to talk to Sofiya about his plans for the party. He walked to her office and knocked on the door.
“Come in,” she said. She raised her head as Jeremy entered. “What can I do for you?”
“I wanted to speak to you about the Christmas party.”
He laid out all he had planned and why he thought it would be a good idea to hijack the event and turn it into something special for Mackenzie.
Sofiya’s eyes sparkled. “I love this idea. I will bringbulochki, which is a yeast roll, and pryaniki, my favorite cookie. I cannot cook, but there is an excellent bakery that makes these.”
“There’s something else I want to discuss with you. It’s the promotion.” Jeremy folded his hands in front of him.
A knock sounded on the door before it opened and Mackenzie poked her head in. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
