Page 425 of The Parkers' Handsome Holiday
“It’s such a beautiful picture of you,” Aleena said.
“Minus the stupid elf costume.”
“Nonsense. It’s joyful.”
“It’s embarrassing.” I swiveled back around in my chair, turned my computer on, and tucked in to start my day by answering emails. Soft Christmas music played through the speakers in the ceiling, which were completely hidden from view by the warm icicle lights hanging overhead and the greenery. Aleena had added a nice touch and hung sparkly ornaments from fishing line from the ceiling as well. It was as magical as it was whimsical, and I felt ripped off that I wouldn’t be spending as much time in the office this Christmas season as I was used to. Some people didn’t like to work during the holidays, but me?
There was nowhere I’d rather be than right here.
I was about to go make myself a morning coffee in the break room when Hugh spotted me at my desk and started walking toward me. I had half a mind to dive under my desk and hide from him.
Aleena started humming the theme song from Jaws.
“Shush,” I hissed over my shoulder.
Hugh stopped in front of my desk with his leather binder open and judgment written on his youthful features. “Where is your elf costume, Tinsely?”
“Oh,” I said innocently, “I must have forgotten it at home.”
Aleena snickered. “Smooth. Totally inconspicuous.”
Hugh sighed and shook his head the way a mother might at her toddler. “That’s okay. We have backups in the empty office by the bathrooms. Can you head in there and pick one out and get changed? We’re on a tight schedule. As soon as Chadwick gets here, we need to get you two prepped for the grand opening of the new store in Times Square tomorrow. Alastair wants more photos taken before you head out to Times Square this afternoon to hand out flyers and invite customers to come shop.”
Right. The grand opening. How had I forgotten about that?
Chalk it up to the chaos and mind-numbing company of Chadwick Bamford, I thought sourly as I stood up and brushed past Hugh.
I heard Aleena apologize for my abruptness as I marched toward the bathrooms. All eyes were on me as I ducked into the spare office and was confronted by three rolling racks of clothes. Several custom velvet suits hung on one rack for Chadwick, and I had half a mind to unzip them from their garment bags and pull a few threads.
Unfortunately, I was above sabotage.
So with a chip on my shoulder the size of Manhattan, I moved to my rack, where eight different but similar costumes hung. No, they weren’t just hanging. They taunted me.
Grumbling about my own misfortunes, I picked the least obnoxious outfit. It had sparkly red tights instead of candy cane stripes, the same flared tutu skirt, a red long sleeve, a matching pointy hat, and the same damn jingle bell shoes from last night.
Once I had the thing on, I moved to the door and contemplated just jumping out the window and ending it all. It would hurt less than standing there in front of the entire office staff who no doubt stood at the ready with their camera phones trained on the door, ready for my grand entrance.
“Just get it over with,” I said as I attempted to smooth the tutu skirt out a little. It didn’t work.
With my chin up, I twisted the handle and stepped out into the office.
The entire staff clamored to get a good look at me. Cameras flashed. Aleena called out for me to smile. So I did. I smiled, did a little curtsy, twirled on the spot, and gave them the best damn show I could while my insides boiled with irritation.
A decade of excellent work for a company, and this was my thanks?
I swallowed my pride and the spite I felt. Alastair hadn’t done this to me.
Chadwick had.
Speaking of Chadwick, I saw him come into the office out of the corner of my eye. As per usual, he was late. It didn’t seem to bother him at all as he strode into the office with Hugh hurrying to match his long strides. Chadwick looked sharp in a slate gray suit and deep red shirt. He nodded at something Hugh said and the pair of them stopped walking so Chadwick could read something in Hugh’s binder. While I watched, Chadwick pursed his lips and raked his fingers through his hair.
Wanda Wayans might have gotten weak knees watching such a thing.
But me?
Nothing.
Okay, that was a lie. There was a little flutter in my stomach. I dismissed it instantly. My physical body might be attracted to him, but my mind knew better, and my mind was stronger than any chemical reaction in my body.
