CHAPTER 2
***
Annie
The office is quiet when I arrive, the stillness broken only by the soft hum of the heating system as it fights off the morning chill. I’m the first one in, as always, savoring the solitude before the day’s chaos begins. Lights twinkle softly on the fresh Christmas tree tucked into the corner, filling the air with the crisp scent of pine.
I flick on the overhead lights, enjoying the festive holiday decor on the way to my desk. Tinsel drapes over cubicle walls, garlands stretch across the window tops, and red and white poinsettias perch in each window sill. It’s cozy, peaceful, and festive–the perfect start to an otherwise ordinary Monday. I settle into my chair and power up my computer, already tuning into the tasks I need to complete before the end of the year.
As the clock ticks toward nine, coworkers begin trickling in, filling the office with the sounds of laughter and conversation. I eavesdrop on snippets of their idle conversations of holiday plans—trips to visit family, last-minute shopping sprees, and extravagant New Year’s Eve parties. I’m content listening from the sidelines. Spending Christmas alone never bothered me before, but now, with Sam single this year, the idea of spending the holiday together seems more appealing. Maybe we can spend it together like in the old days—just the two of us, savoring the simple joy of each other’s company amidst the holiday cheer.
“Thought you might need a pick-me-up.” Julia, my boss, slides a to-go cup bearing my favorite coffee house logo onto my desk. She leans into my desk, casually perching herself on the corner. “You beat everyone into the office again, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, but I like coming in early.” I pop the lid off the cup, and steam wafts from the top. I inhale a deep breath, closing my eyes to enjoy the sweet, minty aroma. My favorite, peppermint mocha latte. “I so needed this. Thank you.”
“A little Christmas cheer never hurt anyone.” Julia’s kind eyes peek over the top of her cup as she glances around the office. “Looks like everyone’s excited about the holidays. What about you? Any big plans?”
I hesitate for a moment, swirling my coffee as I stall for time. “No, no travel plans. I’m keeping it low-key this year—just pajamas, old holiday movies, and good ole hot cocoa.” I shrug, trying to sound enthusiastic, but it rings hollow.
Julia’s expression softens. A hint of concern sparks in her eyes. “You’re not spending Christmas alone, are you?”
Her question catches me off guard, sending a surge of panic to my chest. In the past, I’ve buried myself in projects and deadlines during the holidays, finding comfort in the familiarity of work. Not to mention it’s eased the pinch of jealousy I’ve felt knowing Sam’s with some starlet, model, or his future baby momma.
My life isn’t pathetic, though I am a walking cliche—a poster child for struggling almost thirty-somethings with nothing to go home to except four walls filled with empty silence. There’s nothing shameful about living alone. Lots of people do so by choice. Sam for instance is giving up dating, not that it’ll last long. It never does. He says he needs the distraction. From work, I guess. That’s one thing that’s different about us. I bury myself in work to distract me from him. He buries himself in other women to forget about work.
Ewww. He dates, but I don’t have to picture it.
Julia stares at me with kind, patient eyes. Suddenly I see how my life might look through someone else’s lens—like work is the sum total of my life.
“Of course not. I forgot to mention my boyfriend. We’ll be spending the holiday together,” I blurt out, sidestepping the awkwardness. The words tumble out of my mouth before I can stop them. I force a bright smile and quickly dip my chin to take a sip of my latte.
Julia’s expression shifts to one of surprise and delight. “Really? That’s wonderful, Annie. I didn’t know you were seeing someone. What’s his name? I’d love to see a photo.”
And this is how tiny white lies turn into webs of deception. I fumble for my phone and quickly scroll through photos, landing on one of Sam and me at the German beer festival a few years ago. I hold the phone up, hoping Julia doesn’t notice the slight tremor in my hand.
“Here he is. Sam,” I say, trying to sound casual, but the high-pitched squeak in my voice is a dead giveaway. “He’s been so busy with work, but he’s taking a week off so we can spend the holiday together.”
“That sounds perfect.” Julia nods, her smile genuine as she examines the photo. “You know what you two need? A getaway. A friend of mine hosts a week-long couple’s retreat every Christmas. She had a cancellation last week that she hasn’t been able to fill on such short notice. You and Sam should come.”
Oh no, no, no.
“We couldn’t.” I shake my head as panic whips through me at breakneck speed. “We haven’t saved for anything so extravagant—”
“Nonsense. You haven’t taken a vacation since your last promotion,” Julia insists, her tone firm but encouraging. “The trip is on me. Consider it a gift for all your hard work.”
I open my mouth to protest, but Julia stops me before I can say a word.
“I won’t take no for an answer. It’s important to take a break and recharge, Annie. Plus, it’ll give us a chance to connect on a more personal level.”
My mind races, panic rising in my throat. A couples’ retreat with Sam. He’s going to throttle me for dragging him into this mess.
“Really, I—we can’t.”
“That’s too bad.” Julia nods and stands. A sense of relief hits me, knowing I’ve narrowly dodged a bullet. “There are some changes coming in the company, and I would have loved to get a better sense of your fit with what’s on the horizon.”
My fit with what’s coming? Am I in danger of losing my job or getting passed over for a promotion?
“Oh, uh, you know, Sam’s been talking about getting away,” I manage to say with a shaky voice. “Thank you. We’ll go.”
I gulp back the knotted dread in my throat and scramble to figure out how to turn my little white lie into reality without everything unraveling.
***
Sam
The doorbell rings, and I hesitate to answer, wary that it might be Chastity returning to the scene of the crime for some forgotten toiletries. She never kept much here, nor did I encourage her to do so. That should’ve been a red flag from the start. I knew our relationship wouldn’t go anywhere.
I tear myself away from the World Darts Championship games, the only thing worth watching on TV, and that’s saying something. When I open the door, I’m surprised to see Annie standing on the stoop with a beaming smile and bottle of wine. My favorite wine.
“Hey,” she chirps, a tad too cheerful. “Thought I’d stop by and see how you’re doing.”
Ordinarily I’m thrilled to see Annie. Spending time with her is the highlight of my day. But she doesn’t usually pop in unannounced. The last time Annie rang my bell without a text or phone call, Leah, a former girlfriend, greeted her at the door wearing a naughty maid outfit. I worked late that evening and had no idea Leah had let herself in with a duplicate key. Needless to say, it was an awkward situation for everyone, and I’ve made certain no girlfriend has ever had a key since. Annie’s the only exception to the rule.
“This is a surprise.” I hesitate before stepping aside to let her inside. I’m relieved to see her rather than Chastity, but I know Annie too well to believe this isn’t a random visit. “What are you doing here?”
“I can’t drop in on my best friend?” She breezes past me into the living room, and I follow her, perplexed.
She shrugs out of her coat and throws it over the sofa back and heads straight to the kitchen. A cabinet door creaks, followed by the soft clink of glassware, and the distinctive scrape of a drawer opening. I reach the doorway and lean on the frame.
“Of course you can drop in. What’s the occasion?” I ask, curious about what’s behind this unexpected visit.
“I have big news.” Her cheeks flush bright pink, and a wide grin stretches across her face. Her eyes sparkle, but there’s tension across her brow as if she’s holding something back. Something important. “We should order pizza.”
If she’s worried about me and the breakup with Chastity, I don’t need a pep talk. And then it hits me, and my heart nose dives to the pit of my stomach. I told her she should get out there and have fun, but the idea of her with someone else doesn’t sit right with me. The thought of Annie dating someone disappoints me more than I’d like to admit. More than I can admit without losing her.
It kills me that the one night we spent together is the only night I’ll ever have with her. That’s the consequence of bedding my best friend in a drunken stupor. Annie never mentioned it after that night, and I assumed she didn’t remember. The facts were a bit fuzzy, but I’ve never forgotten. Bringing it up in conversation seemed like a bad idea. Maybe she didn’t want to remember and pushed it out of her mind, distancing it from the friendship we hold so dear.
Annie pours two generous glasses of wine and hands one to me. Her fingers lightly graze mine, sending an exhilarating tingle up my arm. It’s a sensation I’ve never quite gotten used to, and will never forget.
“To lifelong friendship,” she declares, raising her glass with a quirky grin. “And to you for being the most reliable, supportive, and all-around amazing best friend anyone could ask for.”
Her words are layered with genuine affection, but she spews them too quickly, like she’s holding something back. I can’t help but be amused at her playful, yet flurried expression.
“I guess I can drink to that.” I clink my glass against hers, trying to ignore the flutter in my chest. I watch her over the rim of my glass, but she doesn’t take a sip of hers.
“And for always being there when I need a huge favor.” She quickly takes a gulp of wine, eyeing me with a worried, yet teasing glint in her eye.
I watch her closely, curious about the favor she’s hinting at and how big an ask it will be. Though, I’d do anything for Annie. Anything at all.
“Annie Louise Prescott.” I place my glass gently on the countertop. “What have you gotten yourself into this time?”
She drops her shoulders with an exaggerated sigh, knowing she’s busted. I laugh as I slap my hand on the counter. “Ha! I knew it. Out with it.”
“So, um, my boss—I kind of told her a little white lie.” She signals a very small quarter inch with her thumb and forefinger, squinting as if it’s an itty bitty thing, but I know better. I know Annie better. She’s go-big-or-go-home with everything she does.
“And?” I urge her to continue.
“She invited me to a couple’s holiday retreat, and there’s something big going on behind the scenes. She said something about me being fit for what’s on the horizon or something like that, so I panicked and blurted out that I was in a serious relationship, but I’m obviously not, but she asked to see a photo and I showed her a picture of us at that beer thing, which sealed the deal and now she’s expecting us to be there.” She pauses to take a breath as my brain races to keep up. “At the couple’s retreat. For a week, her treat. Please, Sam. I need your help.”
“That’s it?” I breathe my own sigh of relief. Annie’s not dating anyone, and I get to spend a week with her for the holidays. “All I have to do is pose as your boyfriend for an all-expense paid retreat with your boss?”
“Well, when you say it like that, it doesn’t sound like a big deal at all.” Annie rolls her eyes. “I’m going to hell for this. I know it.”
“You’re not going to hell.” I chuckle as I pull her into my arms. “But you might take Best Dramatic Actress at the Oscars this next year.”
“You’re the best, Sam.” Annie giggles and her body jostles against my chest, sending a ripple of heat radiating through me. Her infectious laughter fills me with a sense of wistful hope.
A week pretending to be her boyfriend is my chance to show her what’s been right in front of her all along. It’s time to pull out all the stops and risk everything for the possibility of something more with Annie.