I set the phone on my desk and pulled open the bottom drawer where I kept a bag of pretzels and a bottle of water.
My lunch break had been nonexistent, and my stomach growled in protest.
I ripped open the bag and ate three pretzels in quick succession while waiting for Amelia's response.
Amelia: 4:49 PM: Made you? Like forced you?
Ember: 4:50 PM: No, not like that. It was part of the ceremony. Lightkeeper and Hearthkeeper have to kiss under mistletoe. It's tradition.
I ate another pretzel and took a long drink of water.
My hands were still shaking slightly, and I couldn't believe she hadn't brought up the cameras.
She, of all people, knew how averse I was to media, especially press.
Amelia: 4:50 PM: So you kissed him because of tradition.
Ember: 4:51 PM: Yes.
Amelia: 4:51 PM: And?
I groaned and dropped my phone onto the desk.
Of course she would ask that. I stood, unable to sit still, and walked to the window.
There was a couple in the parking lot standing near an older model SUV.
They smiled and embraced and I thought about how marvelously plain their life was.
Other than my goals for my career, that's what I wanted.
To be boring and happy and have a good, private life.
When I finally got the nerve to respond to her, I had to be truthful.
Kissing Dr. Bradley was about as far from my hope of a private life as possible, but I liked it.
Ember: 4:52 PM: And it was really good.
I cringed as soon as I sent it.
There was no taking it back now.
I crossed my arms and leaned against the windowsill, but I already knew her reaction.
She would lecture me about how I was dumb or tell me he was way too old.
It was the way of things most times.
Amelia: 4:52 PM: EMBER
Ember: 4:53 PM: I know! I know it's bad. He's my boss. I've worked for him for THREE DAYS.
I walked back to my desk and sat on the edge of it.
The pretzel bag rustled as I grabbed another handful.
Stress eating—perfect.
