I spent the rest of the morning alternating between crying over my hatchback and telling myself I really didn’t care. But it wasn’t the loss of my beloved car that bothered me. It wasn’t even Malcolm.
It was the betrayal of having it given so freely to someone else.
It took less than an hour for word to spread about what I’d done. They didn’t say anything, but I could see their looks. Feel their stares. Old Holly would’ve been utterly humiliated, to the point of curling up into a ball.
New Holly — the one who’d just confronted her ex on the eighteen floor — couldn’t give a rat’s ass.
“Holly, could you come see me when you get a second?”
My blood ran cold. James had already walked away, sipping his coffee, without waiting for an answer. I couldn’t tell if he was angry or disappointed or any of those things.
But it was never a good thing to be called into your bosses office.
I waited five minutes, to give the illusion I’d been in the middle of something important. Then I went, slipping inside and closing the door behind me.
“Hey…”
James was behind his desk, typing away. He finished the sentence he was working on, then folded his hands in front of him before looking up at me.
“How’s your day going, Holly?”
I smiled weakly. “Busy Monday. It’s going okay, I guess.”
He cocked his head. He wasn’t buying it.
My gaze dropped. My shoulders slumped. There was no use in lying.
“Alright,” I sighed. “My day sucks.”
“That’s more like it.”
I glanced up again and James was smiling. It was a warm, genuine smile. The kind that would instantly put you ease.
“Listen, I know you’ve had a rough day,” he said. “Why don’t you take the rest of the afternoon off?”
I swallowed glumly. “Are you mad?”
“Not at all,” he said. “These things happen. I get much more drama than you realize, and usually from repeat offenders. I’m not allowed to give you names,” he chuckled, “but you already know them.”
Oh, I knew them. It was funny to think he knew them too.
“You’re one of our best people, Holly. And you know I’m not just saying that. If anyone deserves a break, it’s you.”
I felt my heart swell with gratitude. The tears threatened to come again, but this time they’d be good tears. “T—Thank you.”
“No thanks needed,” said James. “And between you and me? You should’ve gotten that promotion.” He sighed wistfully. “I still don’t know why you didn’t. But I want you to know I gave the people upstairs a glowing recommendation.”
My boss leaned forward and pushed a box of tissues my way. It was covered in one of those crazy-colored yarn things, probably some heartfelt craft done by one of his kids.
“I appreciate that,” I said miserably. “I—I just want to…”
“Slip out of here Holly,” James smiled, “while everyone’s at lunch. I’m ordering you to do something happy with the rest of your day. Get some Christmas shopping done. See a movie. Have fun.”
Christmas shopping…
With the exception of Lincoln, I’d been neglecting my second job. I still had so many clients to fulfill, so many people left to buy for.
“Thanks again,” I grinned back through glassy eyes. “I— I could really just hug you right now.”