Ray shoots us all a glare before turning his head to Jewel. “Baby, no, I didn’t mean that…”
He reaches out, his fingers brushing her shoulder. She shrugs him off, scowling as she keeps her head turned away.
“I know what I want—for you tofuck off,asshole.” Jewel has turned red in the face, making her almost look like a candy cane. “And now, I amsogoing to beat you in this competition.”
We all know what’s coming. They fight, they make up, they skip out on the event early to go bang in the party bus.
Their cycle is toxic…but I guess it works for them. I wouldn’t want a dynamic like theirs myself.
The bus slows, and we turn into a parking lot. Pulling myself up, I stretch my arms above my head.
It’s about to be showtime.
CHAPTER 5
HOLLY
Through my office window, I can see the white snow falling heavily, the darkened sky barely visible.
I’ve been so locked in to what I’m doing, I didn’t realize it was getting late. It’s the end of the week, so I needed to get things done and sorted before going home for the weekend.
Wait, it’sFriday.
The Christmas party.
Shit.
I need to scoot out of here quickly, before anyone tries to convince me to stay and enjoy…festivities. Just the thought sends shivers down my spine.
Grabbing my coat, I throw it on over my blazer. I sling my purse over my shoulder and begin to make my way out of my office.
Music floats through the air in the distance, and if it were anything but Christmas music, I wouldn’t mind. But it is, meaning their party has started.
Damn it. I wanted to be out of herebeforethey got going, but I lost track of time.
As I make my way through the main office space, I squint at the sight of all the tinsel strung about. There are mini-Christmas trees throughout, and ornaments hanging from any available spot in the room.
I give my employees tight-lipped smiles as I make my way past, not stopping to give any of them a chance to say anything.
That is, until Joy spots me. Her eyes widen and she approaches me with a smile. “I didn’t know you were still here, boss.”
“Lost track of time, but I’m on my way now.” My feet don’t stop beneath me, but Joy still walks alongside me.
Just as we reach the door, Joy says, “Boss, the roads are closed until the plows can come by.”
She has to be joking. There’snoway the roads are closed. The odds would just be…it’s impossible. I’mnotstuck here.
I open the door, and instantly my hair is blown back from the strong winds, snow coating my face.
“I can walk,” I tell her, though I’m not sure if I’m trying to convince her or myself.
Her voice is pleading from behind me. “Come on, boss. You’llfreeze. Just wait it out, and hey…maybe enjoy the party a little bit?”
Reluctantly, I close the door, wiping the snowflakes from my face. Enjoy the party? I thought after all these years, Joy would know justhow muchI despise Christmas, and everything related.
Turning to face her again, I don’t try to hide my frown. “Fine. I’ll wait. But I won’t enjoy it, I can assure you.”
“Just pretend it’s not a Christmas party.” She gives me a forced smile, one that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
