“That…I heard you resigned from The Décor Store recently.”
“I did.”He had so many WTF looks for Randall.He sat on the curb where his car was.He didn’t care that it was a little wet and sopped through his pants.“I didn’t know sales associates resigning was news.”
“Usually, it’s not.But frankly, you’re not a regular sales associate.I’ve been watching you these past three years.Your annual manager and peer reviews have been outstanding.The mystery shoppers we employ have sung your praises, too.”So they do have mystery shoppers!Tom and Kirsten believed that was just urban legend, a veiled threat managers use to warn employees against treating customers poorly.“Traffic has increased considerably at the Oakville location, and we want to keep you in the fold.”
This also sounded like an urban legend, a retail store fighting to keep one of its Regular Joe employees.Tom wasn’t going to blow this opportunity.“If you think I’m so great, then why have I not been promoted to assistant manager?I do the work of one.”
“We wanted to a few months ago, but Antonio said he spoke to you, and that you weren’t interested.He said you were planning to quit to go back to school.”
“What?That’s not true!”
“I know it’s not.I ran into Kirsten at a Christmas Eve party.My new girlfriend happens to be her cousin, and trust me, she let me know that wasn’t true.”
Tom’s head spun with a million questions.“I’ve wanted to get promoted for so long.He knew that.I don’t understand…why would he do that?”
“I don’t know.But I’m going to have a meeting with him next week.”
Antonio wasn’t into Tom.He knew that for sure.But he just wants me under his thumb.He wants to be admired.Everything Randall couldn’t stand about being Hot Mall Santa Antonio desired.Tom was going to be sick.
“I don’t want to work with Antonio ever again.”
“I understand.Bottom line, Tom.The Décor Store believes strongly in promoting from within and keeping good employees in the fold.We would like you to stay.The next assistant manager position that opens up in the area, I’m going to recommend you for.Would you be willing to relocate?”
Tom looked at the closed motel room door.He thought of all the risks that awaited him.Randall opened the door, looking as handsome as Tom ever saw him in a cranberry sweater and jeans.
“Tom?”Jordan said through the phone.
But his smile.That hit right at Tom’s heart.He knew this was not just a holiday fling.
CHAPTER17
Eleven Months Later (a.k.a.Five weeks until Christmas again)
Eileen needed this wreath.Pine needles curled in a tight, welcoming circle with pinecones dotting the edges.It was the wreath for people who wanted to celebrate the “holiday season” instead of Christmas.Tastefully nondescript was what Tom would call it.
And tastefully nicked, too.Eileen pointed to small chips on the wicker edges of the wreath.
“Do you see that?”She put her finger on a microscopic mark that Tom needed a magnifying glass to see.“It’s all scuffed up.Which is a shame because it’s so pretty.”
He knew her game.She was not the first customer to point out a teeny-tiny flaw in order to get a discount.Tom once had a customer purchase $1,500 worth of damaged merchandise—some of it legit damaged—for the discount.
“I am sorry about that.It happens.These products are shipped from warehouses and moved to our stockrooms, then put out here.We do our very best to ensure that they stay in perfect condition, but on rare occasions, things happen.You can always order a new one online.I believe The Décor Store is running a special sale for Cyber Monday this year.”
“I can’t wait for that.We’re having people over for Thanksgiving tomorrow.”
“We don’t have any extras in the stockroom.I checked,” said Donna.She was a plump forty-something mother of two who ironed her employee apron before her shifts.Tom knew if Donna said she checked, he didn’t have to second-guess her.
“Are you sure?”Eileen asked.
“We are,” Tom said.
Eileen ran her hand across the wreath, stopping on the mark like she was trying to stop the blood flow in a bullet wound.“It’s a really nice wreath…”
“If you are willing to take it as is, I can offer ten percent off,” Tom said.
“It is all scuffed up.I think twenty percent might be more appropriate.”
Ha!What planet are you living on, Eileen?This woman had much to learn.
