Ethan Reynolds.
No. No, no, no. This can’t be happening. I knew the universe had a twisted sense of humor, but this iscruel.
I look around, panicked. Sara’s watching me, a frown marring her forehead. “What’s going on?”
“You said he wasn’t participating,” I hiss, holding out the slip of paper so she can read it.
Her mouth forms a silent “o.”
I pull her out of the line and into a corner. “What am I going to do?”
She looks back at the line in front of the box, longingly, but then straightens and focuses her attention on me. “Don’t overthink this. It’s just a present to someone you work with.”
I force a smile. “Great. Now I’m really going to screw this up. You know I overthink everything.”
“Oh, Liz. I’m sure he’ll love whatever you get him. Maybe… some aftershave?” she suggests, and I can’t tell if she’s serious or trying to make me die inside.
“I am not getting him aftershave,” I mutter. “Knowing me, I’d pick the one scent he absolutely hates. Or, worse, the one that’ll make him go into anaphylaxis shock. Oh wait, I already did that.Last year.With Kevin’s gift.” My hiss is a little too loud at the end, and people turn to look at us.
Sara tries to keep from laughing, but her blue eyes sparkle. “You’re the only one who remembers that.”
Just then, two of the maintenance guys pass us by. “What are you getting your Secret Santa this year, Liz?” one of them hollers. “A venomous snake?” They both snicker as they continue their way.
I ignore them, but widen my eyes as I look at Sara in a silent, “see.”
She pauses, then raises an eyebrow. “Fine. Some people remember. But let’s get back to this year’s conundrum. What would you get Ethan.”
I shake my head because I honestly have no idea. How am I supposed to buy him something personal but not make it weird? Actually, how am I supposed to buy himanythingand not make it weird?
It’s not like I could ask him what he likes. I would stutter so badly he’d think I’d were having a seizure.
No, I’m going to have to get creative.
And I’m probably going to fail spectacularly.
Chapter Two
LIZ
That nightI can’t sleep because a never-ending anxiety loop spins in my head. How am I supposed to figure out a gift for my boss? And why was his name included in the drawing when Sara said he wouldn’t be?
When I finally fall into a light sleep, it’s anything but restful. All that obsessing about Ethan flipped my mind into delulu territory and brought my libido with it. Because the dream I experience is the best sex I’ve had, dream wise and in real life.
And it’s with Ethan.
In the dream, I’m working on another boring spreadsheet when the inter-office message app pops up in the lower corner of my screen.
It’s Ethan, asking me to come to his office. My heart skips a beat. Did he know I’d pulled his name as Secret Santa? Is he going to tell me he’s pulling out of the event and I have to pick someone else?
The thought disappoints me, despite all the obsessing and protesting to Sara earlier. Apparently, dream me wants to buy a gift for Ethan.
Hey, I didn’t say this was a rational dream. I mean, I’m not rational when awake, so my dreamscape making no sense should not be surprising.
I smooth my skirt and blouse, take a deep breath, and head to his office. Everyone else has gone home for the day, and the lights have been turned down low. But I can still see Ethan through the glass walls of his office. He looks up, his gaze meeting mine as he stands at my approach.
At my knock, he tells me to enter.
Leaning against his desk, his tie loosened, sleeves rolled up, he looks at me with an intensity that makes my knees weak. Brown eyes heat as his gaze rakes down my body, leaving tingles in its wake. "Liz," he says in a low and husky voice, "I've wanted you for so long."
