Chapter One
OLLIE
A SOUP SIZED DISASTER
“Ican’t wait to meet your boyfriend.”
The shrill voice startles me, my spoon clattering to the desk. Tomato bisque splatters across the neatly printed stack of papers.
“What are you talking about, Sharon?” I ask, grabbing a napkin to mop up the mess.
“The company Christmas party this weekend. All of our significant others were invited this year.”
“W-what?” I stutter.
“Did you read Kevin’s email?”
“No. I’m eating my soup.”
She sighs. “You really should eat your lunch in the break room.”
“I like eating at my desk.”
The likelihood of having to socialize is much lower here, which gives me less of a chance of being awkward.
“What did this email say?” I ask, ignoring her.
“Details of the party. When and where. Andwhois invited, more importantly.”
“I thought significant others couldn’t come since Terry’s partner got drunk and tore the paper towel dispenser off the wall at the bar.”
“Kevin decided to give them a second chance.”
“He did?” I adjust my glasses.
“Which means”—she beams at me—“we get to meet this elusive boyfriend of yours.”
“I’m going to have to run it by him.”
“No one’s worried about you bringing a man. Kevin and Raymond have been married for years,” Sharon points out, like that’s the hang-up.
“I’m not worried. He is busy this time of year, so I need to check his schedule.”
Sharon pierces me with a sharp look. Being older and having two kids and several grandkids, I’m sure it’s the look she uses to get them to tell her the truth if they’re lying.
I squirm under the attention.
“You’re not getting out of it, so make sure you bring him so we can all meet him. Since you’ve been talking about him so much, it’s about time you bring him around.”
“Right.” I grimace.
Bangles clang as she walks away, leaving me to myself. I groan, dropping my head onto my desk.
My still messy, soup-stained desk.
Crap. I can feel half-dried soup sticking to my forehead.
This is not how I was planning on spending my day. Working on the latest specs for a new library remodel? Yes.
