Darla stopped attaching the middle section of tree branches. “Why?”
“It’s too big to fit through the door. We usually don’t set it up until it’s in the lobby.”
“I knew that.” Darla chuckled at her mistake. “I’m also starting to think we should have waited to unroll the lights. Now we’ll have to watch our step while we move everything in place.”
She grinned. “Eh, we can’t be perfect at everything.”
“Speak for yourself.” Darla flipped her hair behind her shoulders and sashayed her hips. “I ooze perfection.”
“You’re a mess.” Phoebe tossed a throw pillow at her friend. “Should we wash that first? It has a musty smell.”
Putting it to her nose, Darla sniffed and made a face. “Definitely. Are there any more in there?”
“Two more.” She took them out and tossed them aside.
Darla came to her side. “Is that aMary Poppinstote or something? How much can fit in there?”
“A lot. Ted and one of the other guys brought it down from the attic for me.”
“Speaking of…” Darla giggled and pointed to the window.
Ted’s face appeared in the window. Acting silly, he smashed his nose against the glass pane, making his nose look like a pig. Christmas joy had affected everyone early this year—she rarely saw her boss cut loose and act silly.
She waved to him. “How are the outside lights coming?”
He moved his face away from the window and gave her two thumbs up. “Cameron and I are almost finished.”
“We’re not the far along in here.” Phoebe waved her hand around the room. “Be careful where you walk when you come in. We have decorations everywhere.”
“Organized chaos, I’m sure.” Ted grinned then disappeared from view.
“He’s in rare form today.” Darla stared out the window where he’d been. “He’s too serious most of the time.”
A sharp realization hit Phoebe like a lightning bolt. “You like Ted.”
Darla gasped. “Why do you say that?”
“You stared at the window even after he’d moved away and your voice just now held a distinct longing.”
“He’s an attractive man, physically and spiritually, but he’s my boss and too old for me.”
“So what if he’s your boss? You’ve known him long before you came to work here, and he’s only thirty-five, not even ten years older than you.”
“I don’t like him like that, okay? Please, just let it go.”
She’d never seen Darla act like that, which concerned her. A little voice told her Darla cared for Ted deeply despite her protests. The boss/employee situation might make a relationship complicated, but not insurmountable. However, she honored her friend’s request and dropped the subject. “Want to break for lunch at the diner?”
“And leave all this stuff out?” Darla’s gaze shifted over their mess.
“We’re not expecting any guests today, and Cameron’s working the front desk if anyone shows up.”
“A club sandwich does sound more appetizing than my cup of noodles.”
Phoebe wrinkled her nose. “Do you know how bad those noodle things are for you?”
“Yes, but they’re delicious,” Darla answered unapologetically but added a caveat. “If you’re in the mood for them, which I’m not.”
“They can be good comfort food. Now and then I’ll grab one if I’m tired.” She picked up the strand of lights. “Let’s move these at least. We’ll drape them over my chairs and desk.”
