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Happy Hanukkah to the OG Matzo Ballers!
How she had snapped a photo of all six of them on the boat without them knowing was pure Sylvie. She must’ve talked her way up to the deck of the captain’s bridge, because she was above everything, even the menorah. In the foreground, in selfie stance, flashing a peace sign.
There was Jay on the ladder in the background, mic held aloft and candles softly glowing, and the four others below, holding the ladder. It wasn’t the clearest photo, given the sunset and distance, but it stirred a storm of emotions, especially as one by one, the reactions started to ping.
Libby’s heart showed up first, followed by one from Jonah. Jay dropped the double exclamation points while Avi threw the rock horns. Nora pushed her own keyboard on auto-pilot, tears blurring the heart she shared. Eli’s jinxed hers, arriving at the exact same time and making her smile, despite everything.
Talia’s reaction had yet to appear in the chat, but Nora was too exhausted to wait for it. Hopefully her friend’s evening had turned out better than her own flaming shit show. She shut off her phone, ready to be done with this day, this night, this dress…this Hanukkah.
* * *
Team Hayseed.
Alex peered thirty-six stories down. The view from his room was spectacular, the minibar impressively stocked. His luggage had been stowed in the corner and turn-down service had occurred, down to the imported chocolates waiting on the pillow.
It was exactly what he had wanted upon arrival in New York, fourteen hours earlier.
Now, he wanted to punch a hole through the wall.
Coward.
His phone’s GPS had led him to the hotel, but he hadn’t remembered his feet making the trek. He hadn’t noticed the cold; a numbness had set in.
No. The numbness hadreturned.How he had felt since losing his grandfather. Today, with Nora, had been the first time in a long time he had actually felt things – good things – and not just due to their chemistry.
He flopped back on the bed, fully clothed.
Something jingled.
Reaching into the pocket of his suit jacket, he came out with the lone jingle bell. She must’ve slid it in there, after he’d loaned her his coat.
It hadn’t just been how incredibly attracted he was to her. It was getting a glimpse at a day in the life of Nora Ruben. Not just some name on a list.
He had been along for the ride – literally. Seeing the love she had for her friends, the pride she had in her faith. He had no idea what she did for Britesmith – but he’d bet she’d loved it, too, once upon a time.
She was an integral part of the New York office. He had sensed it in Hedstrom’s introduction, in the way she carried herself in front of her co-workers.
He had arrived focused on the New York 54.
Now his focus had narrowed down to one.
He could hear the muted traffic below, the occasional whoop of a siren breaking through the white noise.
Protect New York, Alexi.
He didn’t know if Nora could help or harm his mission.
His heart was a whole other matter.
ChapterNine
Alex had fallen asleep on top of the bedcovers, suit and all. The tie Nora had perfectly loosened with flirty fingers last night had wrapped like a noose around his neck during his slumber. Pretty fitting.
He smelled like latke grease and her perfume. It was pure torture.
Stripping to his boxers and undershirt, he called the concierge to inquire about dry cleaning. “Of course, sir. The Langham prides itself on express service, we’ll have it back to you before start of business, Monday morning.”
Monday morning –fuck my life, Alex thought as he crammed his suit, tie and all, into the cloth laundry bag provided by the hotel for hanging on the door. Start of business, end of business; he no longer cared.
