CHAPTER ONE
CLAIRE
“I’m so sorry, Parker,”I rush out as I pace in front of the window overlooking the city of Boston that’s covered with a thick blanket of snow. And there’s even more falling at a steady clip.
Normally, I’d love everything about this. The tranquility of the city as snow fell. The crispness in the air. Watching kids build snowmen.
Not right now, though.
Not when there’s so much I need to do back home.
“I tried to get an earlier flight out once I learned about the snowstorm, but everyone had the same idea. I’ll do everything I can to get on the earliest flight possible, but?—”
“Claire,” my boss interrupts in a gentle but firm tone, “it’s not your fault Logan Airport turned into a snow globe. You can’t control the weather.”
“But it’s almost Thanksgiving,” I reply, filled with guilt over the prospect of being away from Holley Ridge for a night longer than we originally planned.
The conference I attended this week was everything I hoped it would be and more. Panels on winter marketing trends, guestengagement, influencer packages. But the storm grounded every flight out of Boston until tomorrow morning at the earliest.
“The Christmas festival is just weeks away. And with all the additional events, I?—”
“The only thing you should be doing is sipping something red and overpriced in a hotel bar.”
“I can start batching some content ahead of time,” I assure Parker so she doesn’t have to worry about me falling behind. “Can probably put together some promos for the baking competition we’ve added.”
“Claire.”
“Just a few videos and graphics. I can also?—”
“Claire Thomas,” Parker interjects, her voice demanding, causing me to snap my mouth shut. When she speaks again, her tone is softer. Lighter. “You’ve been working nonstop on this for weeks.Months. You need to take a break. Trust me.”
I groan, pinching the bridge of my nose. “You sound like my sister.”
“Because she’s right. I used to be like you. Working every waking moment to prove to everyone I could do it.”
I part my lips to argue, but she cuts me off.
“If you even think about opening your laptop again tonight, you’re fired.”
“It’s the least I should do since I’m stuck here for another night.”
“No. It’s thelastthing you should do. Go to the hotel bar. Order a drink. Flirt with a stranger. Live a little.”
“Flirting with strangers isn’t my strong suit,” I admit.
“Neither is relaxing apparently. Consider this a learning opportunity. After all, you know what Grandma Estelle says, don’t you?”
“I’m not sure I want to know,” I mutter under my breath, all too familiar with how eccentric our small town’s octogenarian can be.
“According to her, creativity spikes after a dopamine hit. And there’s no bigger dopamine hit than some sexy times with an attractive man.”
I should be mortified the woman who is technically my boss is all but encouraging me to have a one-night stand while away on a business trip she paid for. But Parker’s always been more than just a boss. Being from a town as small as Sycamore Falls, everyone tends to be more like extended family, Parker included.
“So go. Have some fun. Step out of your comfort zone for once. That’s a direct order.”
She hangs up before I can protest, leaving me alone with my overactive brain and the weight of just wanting to prove I can do this. That despite being only twenty-four, I can handle the marketing of a popular inn and premier wedding destination, particularly during their popular Christmas festival that draws thousands of people every year.
I’m more than aware Parker took a risk in giving me this job when she could have hired someone with so much more experience.
