***
A blast of icy air slid under my scarf as I hurried toward the steel and glass tower of my office building. From the outside looking in, we sold antique novelties, but we really granted wishes, broke curses, and performed miracles.
Our Holidays Division, Christmas specifically, was our busiest branch composed of our best agents. I’d started a few years ago in a different division and had worked my way up to Holidays. Now if I could score an agent’s promotion, I’d finally be living my dream.
Agents got to work in the field, helping people and bettering their lives, while I was currently stuck in the office documenting case outcomes and performing basic administrative tasks. If someone needed paperclips or there was an odd smell coming from the break room refrigerator, they called me. And we were witches, so some smells coming from that thing were vile.
Nodding at the young woman working the reception desk, I weaved through the cubicle jungle with a spring in my step. The spring faltered when my cube mate Agatha popped her perfectly coifed head above the half wall separating our spaces. Her cherry-red lips smacked together and formed a sickly sweet smile.
“Delia! You’refinallyhere. There’s a whole cart of poinsettias that needs to be delivered to each agent's office. I’d do it myself, but I just had my nails done. I’d hate to chip the paint.” She wriggled her inch-long, red and green sparkly nails in front of her nose. “Besides, you’re never busy with anything important.”
“Actually, Agatha, I’ve been assigned a case. I need to brush up on the file this morning.”
Agatha wrinkled her nose. “They never assign cases to low-level witches. Don’t lie to get out of plant duty.” With a smug look, she reached for a pair of earbuds, popped them into her ears, and focused her attention on her laptop. The muffled melodies of Christmas music filled the cube as Agatha iced me out.
“I won’t be low-level for long,” I muttered while unwinding my scarf and shrugging out of my coat. I dropped my bag and looked longingly at my laptop before heaving a sigh and heading toward the poinsettias. The case could wait a few minutes while I unloaded the cart.
Vibrant red leaves greeted me, and I brushed off Agatha’s snarky attitude. Things were looking up. I finally had a case of my own. This would be my last time passing out holiday decorations. Next season, I'd be the one receiving them.
I pushed the cart forward, frowning when it wouldn’t budge. Shoving harder only made it shuddered a few inches, and nearly toppled a plant onto the carpet. I rebalanced the poinsettia, checked to make sure the wheels weren’t stuck, and then leaned all my weight into the cart.
Little-by-little, I made my way down the hall, delivering potted poinsettias to lucky agents. A sheen of sweat made my silk blouse stick to my skin, and I blew a wayward strand of hair out of my face as I shoved the cart as hard as I could, trying to reach the last office.
The cart bucked, loosening a wheel and sending it rolling through the open doorway. I peeked inside the dimly lit office. Of course, it was Simon’s, and I breathed in the faint, lingering scent of his expensive cologne. His office was sparsely decorated with a mahogany desk and a set of sleek black leather chairs. A bookcase lined one wall, and the other was dotted with framed certificates. But the pièce de résistance was the giant window overlooking the city. The view from this side of the building was incredible, especially in the evening when the sun dipped below the skyline and the city lights twinkled.
Looking over my shoulder to make sure the coast was clear, I tip-toed inside Simon’s office to search for the missing wheel. The blasted thing had rolled underneath his desk, forcing me to contort my body to reach it.
“Looking for something?” Simon’s deep baritone sent a shock through my body, and I nearly rammed my head into a drawer.
The tips of my fingers snagged the wheel, and I shimmied out from beneath the desk. I held up the wheel while sheepishly smoothing the edge of my skirt.
“Sorry. I was delivering the poinsettias, and the cart revolted. Let me get yours.” The back of my neck heated as I scrambled past Simon and snagged the last potted plant. I inhaled a calming breath and whirled to find him standing behind me.
Simon's mouth curled into a sexy grin. “You’re Sage’s friend, right? Something that starts with a D? I always see you around the office.”
“D—Delia, Delia Frost,” I stammered, holding out the plant while trying not to squeal with the knowledge he knew my name.Sort of.Starts with a D should count.
He waved away the poinsettia, and his smile deepened, crinkling his blue eyes. “Congrats on getting your first case. I just heard this morning.” He winked. “Take my plant. You might need it to decorate your new office.”
I tucked the poinsettia against my chest, my heart pounding. It was happening! Things were falling into place faster than snowflakes during a blizzard.
“Um, thanks...” My tongue twisted and my brain screamed—“Don't mention the fortuneteller or the gingerbread massacre. Keep the fact that he smells like a holiday-spiced candle to yourself.”
But say something!
When I remained woefully silent, Simon leaned forward and plucked the wheel from my fingers.
“Let me help you with that, Dhalia.”
Wait…My brow creased.
“It’s Delia,” I murmured, but he wasn't paying attention.
Simon bent and placed the wheel near the cart, then with a flick of magic, he reattached it. Lifting the edge of the cart, he spun the wheel easily.
“All fixed. I guess I’ll be seeing you more often if we’re going to be office mates. Hey, maybe we can even grab lunch sometime.”
Simon flashed me his teeth and strode down the hall, leaving me hugging the poinsettia.Cloud Nine here I come.We were going to grab lunch—sometime.
