ONE （B） – Taryn
ONE (B)
TARYN
Georgia (Cousin)
Congrats on your big promotion! I know you got it!
How are you celebrating being the new CEO?
Call me so I can serenade you for the big WIN!
I wipe away tears as I read the messages.I don’t have the heart to tell anyone the news yet; I need to finish processing it myself.
Walking up my condo’s steps, I slip inside and hit the lights.
I drop my purse to the floor in shock.
My living room has been transformed from its usual grey and black decor into a stunning emerald green and silver winter wonderland.
A golden miniature train whistles along tracks that travel down the hall and into the kitchen.
Strands of gleaming garland line every inch of my mantle, and perfectly wrapped red gifts are stacked in the corner.
A fluffy pine tree stands guard by the windows, with glass ornaments that hang amidst the special “memory flakes” I hang every year.
In the months after the tragic train accident that cost me my parents, students at my high school wrote notes about me and little things about our hometown to help me remember events. Even though their words never sparked reminiscent magic, I reread them every year.
Walking to the tree, I search for the ornament that features a locket from my closest guy friend, Cameron.
His words are etched in a shiny cursive:
I'll always be there for you, like I know you'll always be there for me. If neither of us have found love by thirty, promise you'll marry me.
I turn it over and head to the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of wine.
Then, I snag a bag of potato chips and plop onto the couch.
Ordering a garlic-free pizza and a chocolate cake to make myself feel better, I curl into a ball on the couch and search for something to watch on TV.
Knock! Knock! Knockkk!
“Coming!” I push off the blankets and head to the door. “Coming!”
I’m expecting to see a delivery guy, but it’s James.
"What the hell are you doing here?” I ask.
"I thought you might want some company after what happened today."
“Company from you ?"
"Yes."
I start to slam the door, but he wedges his foot inside the frame.
“I bought your favorite wine and a cheese platter,” he says.
“Leave it on the steps and walk away.” I groan. “I have Georgia to talk to.”
“She’s busy dealing with your other cousin’s wedding planning tonight, so I'm sure you can’t talk to her for a while.”
"I don't want to talk to my new boss about it either."
"He’s here to keep you company ,” he says. “He also just told Human Resources to give you a fifty percent raise."
"I thought it was thirty."
"He realized that wasn't enough." He eyes the bottle in my hand. "I really did think Mr. Adeleman was going to pick you."
"Would you have been livid if he had?”
"No," he says, looking genuine.“Can you let me in, please?”
“Only if you agree that this is completely off the record, and you promise to leave after exactly two hours."
“Deal.”
I usher him inside, and he stalls at the sight of all the holiday decor.
“I probably should've said two minutes,” I say. “I forgot you hate the holidays.”
“I can deal with them for two hours.” He takes off his coat and drapes it over my couch.
I plop down, and he sits next to me.
In moments like this, I feel comfortable around him, like we've known each other in another life.
That can't be possible, though. I would’ve lived in heaven, and he has a special spot in hell.
“Do you plan to fire anyone yet?” I ask.
“Not unless it's someone you suggest.”
“Henry in Accounting has been stealing an extra thousand every week for himself.”
“Why didn't you ever mention that to Mr. Adeleman?"
I shoot him a blank stare, and he laughs.
“Fair enough. I'll look into that. Anyone else?”
“Your personal assistant wants to sleep with you.”
“That's not a reason to fire her.”
“Just giving you a heads up,” I say. “Don't let her get too close.”
“Speaking of 'too close—’” He leans over and gently presses the mark on my neck.
“Who left this on you?”
“You sound jealous.”
“I am... New boyfriend?”
“Maybe,” I say, not wanting to let down my guard completely. “That’s why I only gave you two hours tonight.”
“Hmmm.” He walks to my kitchen like he’s done several times before, opening my cabinets like they’re his own and pouring wine.
Bringing the glasses back to the couch, he drapes an arm around my shoulder.
“Want to watch the last episode of that Murder Doc series?”
“I thought we finished that last week.”
“There’s that one we skipped,” I say. “The coworkers who stabbed each other and then conspired to kill someone’s husband.”
“I’d rather watch a Law & Order: SVU rerun.”
“Yeah, me too…” I pick up the remote and lean against him.
James’ time is up two episodes later, so I escort him to my door.
“Don't forget about tomorrow,” he says, zipping his coat.
“Forget what?”
“How I want my coffee delivered on my desk every morning this week and beyond.”
“Excuse me?”
“It’s the least you can do in appreciation for me giving you such a generous raise.”
I wait for him to laugh and tell me this is a joke, but he only serves me his perfect smile.
“Since you have time for a boyfriend and you’re always the first person in the building, stopping at a cafe for two lattes shouldn’t be that big of a deal for you, right?”
I slam the door in his face.