And she’s visibly pissed.
“Thea? What… what are you doing here?”
“Of course that’s the first thing out of your mouth,” she mutters, placing her cup back down. “No hello. No it’s good to see you. Just awhat are you doing here?Well, I have a better question.” Her eyes narrow and she points at me. “Why the hell did I find a half-naked woman in your apartment when I got here?”
Oh, no. Snow.
“Better yet, why was it the woman from your work? The one yousworeto me you weren’t interested in? Xander, have you lost your mind?”
I’m distracted briefly by the white lights twinkling around the cabinets.
I don’t recognize them but something pulls at the back of my mind, bringing forward a feeling that suggests Ishould.
“Thea—”
“No, don’t talk because I don’t want to hear whatever stupid excuse you’re about to give me. You’re up for promotion, did you forget that? Never mind that you could lose your job and license because, and I’m not a medical expert here, but I’m pretty sure fucking someone you work with whose job is directly affected by your work decisions is a fireable offense. Am I wrong?”
“No.”
“And more than that, if she flips on you, then you’re facing a sexual harassment and misconduct suit because you’ve treated her. Did you ever think of that?”
“I did.”
“Did you?”
“Snow wouldn’t do that.”
“Oh, well then I suppose that’s alright then, isn’t it?” She throws her hands up and returns to her coffee.
I set my briefcase down on the kitchen counter. “Where is she?”
“Gone.”
“Did you tell her to leave?”
“No.” Thea snorts. “She was smart enough to do that herself.”
“I can’tbelieveyou.”
“Me?” Thea sets her cup down and glares at me. “How old is she?”
“What does that matter?”
“I need to know how young this bitch is that you’re risking throwing away your entire career for her, because I know the sex can’t be that good.”
“Enough.” My voice rises, unable to stop myself. “You don’t come into my apartment and judge me. Do you hear me? You don’t know her, and Thea, you barely know me.”
“Clearly!” She scoffs, exasperated. “I’m looking out for you, Xander. I came here because I miss you and I love you. It’s Christmas and we should spend it together, and I find you on the brink of losing everything because of some woman at your work? Xander, there’s a whole world of people out there. No one is worth this kind of risk!”
“Stop!” Turning away, I stalk into the living room to escape her judgmental gaze and freeze to the spot.
The entire room is decorated from ceiling to floor with items and decorations I haven’t seen since Claire died.
Suddenly, the lights in the kitchen make sense, and a deep pulse of sadness spreads through my chest.
This apartment hasn’t seen love or festivities since she passed and now it’s here.
Snowflakes on the wall, streamers hanging from the ceiling being stared at by Rustle’s wide eyes, lights around the window…
