AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I’m also not all dressed up because I think anything more will happen with Jonas. No matter how I might feel about him, there’s no way it could work between us. Not if he’s about to become my boss.
“I…” I take another deep breath, this time it’s not quite so painfully cold as the others. “I wanted to look my best tonight, because… well, because it feels like everything in my life is falling apart.” I pause, holding in a sob and giving myself a moment to collect myself.
My friend reaches forward and takes my hand, giving me the silent support I need to continue. “I wanted to stay home. So much. It seemed like it would be easier to curl up in front of the tree, eat sugar cookie dough straight from the bowl, and cry my eyes out while watching an old Christmas movie. Wishing my mom and sisters were there with me. Instead, I put on the new dress I bought just for tonight. I took extra time with my hair and makeup. Because I had the thought that maybe, just maybe, if I look my best tonight, I’ll feel my best. Or at least I’ll feel better than my worst.”
“Well, Holly, I just have to say I’m so impressed by you.” She squeezes my hand. “I think you’ve learned your lesson.”
I shake my head in confusion. “What lesson?”
“You’ve learned to be in the moment. Yes, you’re worried about what might happen in the future. Yes, you’re struggling with the past that you miss so much. But you came here tonight, determined not to let either of those things keep you from making the best of this moment you have.” She reaches out and pats me on the cheek. “That’s a lesson some people take their whole lives to learn.”
“I… I…” I purse my lips together and cock my head to the side. “I still wish I knew what to do about… everything.”
“Don’t we all, my dear.” She winks. “Don’t worry about tomorrow. Enjoy tonight. Allow yourself to feel what you feel. And when you wake up tomorrow, do the same thing.”
“I’ll try.”
“I have no doubt you will.” She gives my cheek another pat and my hand another squeeze before reaching to pick up her bell again. “I don’t have a crystal ball. I can’t see the future. But I have a good feeling about what the future holds for you. If you can just keep yourself centered in the present, everything else—your career, your family, even your love life with a certain strapping young man—will come together.”
Another urge to cry rushes over me quickly. Only this time, they aren’t tears or sadness. They aren’t tears of joy, either. They’re the tears of knowing someone—even a woman you’ve had a handful of interactions with—understands you and knows just what to say to bolster your courage.
“Thank you. I needed to hear that.” Lifting my chin, I smile at her confidently. “I think I’m ready to go inside.”
“I know you’re ready.”
“Would you… would you like to come to the party? You’d be very welcome, and we have plenty of food and drinks,” I add, anticipating any concerns she might have.
“Thank you for the offer, but I actually have another engagement. I should actually be leaving for it.” She gives me another one of her signature smiles. “Remember that old saying: ‘Life is a gift, enjoy the present.’ I have a hunch your present will be truly remarkable.”
I start to move past her, but—on impulse—I turn on my heel and throw my arms around her. Squeezing her tightly.
I lean back. “Thank you for everything.” A lump lodges in my throat. Given that she could play a Rose fromThe Golden Girlsimpersonator for some extra cash on the side, it’s tempting to add, ‘Thank you for being a friend,’ but now isn’t a time for jokes. “You’ve helped me more than I can say. I’ll always remember what you’ve said.”
“It was my pleasure.”
We give each other parting smiles and I enter the building. Not only do I feel warmer on the outside, but there’s a rich heat in my chest. When I reach the bay of elevators, I look over my shoulder to wave at my friend, but she’s already gone. She really did have somewhere to be.
I wonder if I’ll see her again. Maybe next Christmas? If not… well… I’ll take the lesson she gave me to heart and be grateful she was ever in my life. Even if it was only for a short time.
Stepping onto the elevator, I brace myself for whatever awaits me upstairs, determined to keep myself in the moment. No matter what happens.
TEN
HOLLY
The elevator reaches the Noble Outerwear floor and I take a deep breath as the doors open. I can do this. I don’t need to worry about what happened earlier today. I don’t need to think about what the future holds. I just need to be present.
The doors open, and Linda and Diane practically pounce on me, pulling me out.
“Whoa!” I grip their hands, which have each clasped onto mine, to keep myself upright. “What’s going on?”
“You’re finally here,” Linda says, releasing my hand so she can remove my coat.
Diane is already working on taking off my gloves and sticking them in my purse. “We’ve been waiting forever.”
“I’m only a few minutes late.” My eyes widen. “Did something happen with the catering? Did they forget to bring—”
“No, no, no. Everything with the party is fine. In fact, it’s better than fine.” A hint of mischief lights Linda’s eyes. “We’re just dying for you to see how fine it is.”
