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I thought about my back surgery a few years ago. I’d had an incredibly difficult time just getting through the MRI. Logically, I knew nothing would happen to me while in the machine, but my brain didn’t seem to grasp as much when the walls were close.
“So who was she?” Faye asked, scooping a forkful of rice into her mouth.
“An employee in my building,” I said. “And she mentioned having to work on Christmas.”
“But you’re not open on Christmas,” Faye argued.
“I know. In any case, I’ve invited each of the departments to my annual Christmas Eve ball. Maybe she’ll be there.”
The thought hadn’t crossed my mind while I’d been in the elevator with Ella, but it struck me now so hard I wished I’d thought of it when I’d been with her.
I would have asked her to be my date.
And I would have been thoroughly rejected.
Still, I secretly hoped she’d be there.
I took another bite of my burrito. The blend of sausage, egg, and cheese melted across my tongue.
“That staff of yours works hard,” Faye said. “I think inviting them all to your ball isa nice gesture.”
Clary had said the same thing, even if it did mean relocating the ball to a new location to accommodate everyone. It was going to be held right here at Corporate, in one of the lower conference rooms. Why hadn’t I thought about it while I’d been with Ella?
Clary would know if Ella had been invited or not. I removed my phone to text her.
Me: You invited all of my staff to the ball, right?
Clary: Just about. I think all but custodial.
Me: I’d like all the staff to be invited, please.
“What about you?” I asked, returning my phone to my jacket pocket. “What can I do to help you?”
Faye’s features narrowed with suspicion. “You know not to go there, Hawkie boy. No offering me money.”
I lifted my hands. “I know. I wasn’t going to. But is there anything else I can do? Offer you a position, maybe? I know you’re retired, but my candy shop in downtown Westville could use a festive holiday greeter.”
She straightened, which for her, was saying something. “A greeter, you say?”
It wasn’t a position we usually filled on the regular, but I wasn’t about to tell her that. “Sure. You’d probably get your fair share of samples as well while you’re offering them to holiday shoppers.”
“Well, now.” Her rosy smile rounded her face that much more. “If you’re sure.”
I knew I could convince her with candy.
I sniggered inside, knowing candy was the key Adrian had used to convince his assistant to do extra things for him, too.
“I’m sure. Won’t be a problem. It’ll be a part-time position that will end at the end of the holidays. I’ll get in touch with the store’s manager.”
She patted my hand and took a bite of my rice. “That’s mighty sweet of you, Hawkie boy. Mighty sweet.”
“Anything for my Faye girl.” It wasn’t often I resorted to the cutesy names we’d used for each other since I was a boy.
Faye had been my mom’s best friend. They’d met during a European choir tour years ago, and my parents had insisted she take the role of my godmother when I was born.
Even now, Faye still busied herself with gossip and greeting cards at every family event, from my birthday to holidays to Mom’s monthly book club. It was almost as though I had two mothers, which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Hence, the reason I’d kept the mention of the theft to myself.
