Clara looked at me with a beaming smile. “It really looks good, doesn’t it?”
“I couldn’t be prouder of you,” I said, feeling another piece of my heart become hers. Clara impressed me at every turn.
She stood up straighter, looking around at everything. “Thank you.”
I held my arm out to her. “Shall we?”
She took it. “Let’s.”
We walked into jolly chaos. Music played over the speakers that had been set up, loud enough to set the mood but not so loud that people couldn’t socialize. Food stations had beenarranged at various spots around the office, filled with snacks and desserts. Servers dressed as elves also circulated through the people, handing out treats.
“How about a drink?” I suggested.
Clara nodded toward the bar, which was manned by two smartly dressed bartenders in bright red vests with jingle bells on them. Twin nutcrackers flanked the bar, their mouths agape like they were surprised at the amount of cocktails being served. At this early stage of the party, children were in attendance, but that didn’t stop the rest of us from indulging in some liquid cheer.
Clara ordered us two drinks with Kahlua and peppermint schnapps with a mini candy cane in it. “This drink was my idea,” she said before taking a sip. “Peppermint White Russian.”
I drank and a groan escaped me. “Hot damn, that’s tasty.”
“Right? I found it online and I had to add it to the menu.”
“You got a lot done in a really short amount of time,” I said. “Is there anything you can’t do?”
“Taxes, maybe? I always struggle with those every year.” Clara shook her head. “Also, for the record, Kerri handled the rest of the drinks and food. Other than this cocktail, most of my contributions were to the decorations and general vibe.”
I smiled at her modesty. “Well, you’ve nailed it.”
On of my regular co-hosts, Johnny, sauntered up with a drink in hand and a cute little lady at his side. “This party is wild.”
“Thank Clara here,” I said.
She smiled at him a little shyly, not used to the spotlight. “I’m glad you like it.”
“Johnny,” I said. “This is my girlfriend, Clara. Clara, this is my co-host and general pain in my ass, Johnny Callahan.”
Johnny chuckled and shook her hand. He didn’t bother introducing us to the woman on his arm. I assumed she was ashort-term fling. If not for Clara, I probably would have brought a similar woman tonight.
It seemed so odd to me now, chasing after fleeting pleasures like that. Clara and I had only been together for a week or so, and it wasn’t even real, but in that short amount of time, I had come to see the value of making a deeper connection with a woman. The idea of walking around tonight with a virtual stranger as my date? It just felt wrong now.
Clara was changing me and we weren’t actually together. I couldn’t imagine the effect she would have on me if we took a real shot at being a couple. Just the fact that I was considering it meant I wasn’t the man I had been a month ago. It was a little frightening, but moving outside of our comfort zones always was.
“What is going on with that sweater?” Johnny asked.
“Everyone was supposed to wear one tonight,” Clara told him. “I guess you didn’t feel like participating.”
Johnny wasn’t wearing a god-awful sweater with elves and unicorns and blinking lights. He was in a slick suit, camera-ready like I usually was. “None of that ridiculous shit for me.”
Clara’s smile dimmed a little, and a surge of protectiveness gripped me.
“Don’t be such a Grinch,” I said to him. “You should try to have a little fun like us.” I wrapped an arm around Clara and pulled her into my side, loving the way she fit perfectly there. “You might be surprised how nice it is to loosen up every once in a while.”
Johnny shrugged. “I think we just have different ideas about what loosening up means. Great party, though, Clara. A million times better than last year’s.”
I groaned and chuckled. “They brought in these dancers like flapper girls from the nineteen twenties. It was kind of weird and didn’t feel like a holiday party at all.”
Johnny nodded. “It was somehow both fancy and low class at the same time. So thank you for making this year better.” He looked at me. “Make sure to keep this lady happy. We need her around for next year, too.”
“I’ll do my best,” I said.
