Chapter 18
“A nything else you’d like us to know? Or any more questions about the marketing role?” Jeff asked as the last interview of the day was concluding.
The short, curvy woman with fiery hair and lipstick nodded. “I’m a stubborn redhead, obviously, but you should know that makes me the perfect candidate for the job because I am tenacious and determined.”
Surprised, I grinned. “That’s a great closing argument.”
“So I’ve been told.”
I chuckled and offered my hand into her warm, solid grip as I said, “Thank you, Laney.”
“No, thank you! It was so nice meeting you.”
Jeff shook her hand. “We’ll be in touch next week, probably around December 5 th so we can get you onboarded before Christmas.”
As she left our newly designated conference room, I plopped back down in the new comfy swivel chairs we’d purchased recently. Jeff glanced at me and sat down as well, crossing one leg over another.
“I like her.”
“She’s perfect.”
We spoke at the same time and then laughed together.
And I was struck by how much a simple laugh and lingering smile transformed his face, lending levity to his features and showing his perfect white teeth. I might have stared a bit too long though because his smile faded.
Jeff’s dark eyebrows rose. “What? ”
“I just … I’m happy we found our marketing and events coordinator.” Right, that’s the reason. Not that I was checking him out.
“Did we? I don’t remember agreeing to that,” he said, but his tone was light.
I hesitated before saying, “It’s important to me to find the right person so I don’t feel compelled to take on all of that work myself. Laney’s right for us. I just know it.”
“Great,” he said with a shrug. “Let’s hire her.”
I stared at him, dumbfounded. Who was this guy being agreeable?
“Thanks.”
“Save your thanks for the new hire,” he said. “I do think she’ll do great things here.”
“I feel like we should get some champagne or something.” When his eyebrows rose, I added, “We are hiring the first employee! That’s big.”
He rubbed his jaw. “True. Sadly, I have no alcohol in the office.”
“That’s probably for the best,” I said with a laugh.
He didn’t smile but rather just looked at me intently and nodded slowly. After a long moment, he said, “You have the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen.”
My breath caught in my throat, and I struggled with producing any words. “I … why are you telling me this, Jeff?”
He cleared his throat. “I don’t know.”
Before I could even think of how to respond or what to feel, Hazel strode into the room through the open door, followed by Peter.
Reflexively, Jeff and I took a step back from one another and turned our gazes to them. “Hazel, hi,” I said, my voice higher than usual.
She looked at me in amusement. “Did you go for a run? You sound out of breath.”
I’m sure my cheeks turned deep pink then because I felt the heat all over my face. “No, I … well—”
“We’re just excited because we found our first employee to hire,” Jeff cut in, glancing at me briefly before turning back to Hazel.
Her eyes lit up. “That is exciting! Darling, did you hear that?”
“Yes, I’m right here, darling ,” Peter said with a queasy expression. For someone who rarely showed emotion, that was a curious sight. “Congratulations on the new hire.”
I looked between them, a smile playing on my lips.
Peter nudged her, and she sighed. “He lost a bet, and now we get to call each other darling for a whole week!” She smiled gleefully and squeezed his hand. “Though I think by the end of the week, we’ll just want to keep doing it forever, won’t we, darling?”
“We’ll see.” His nose wrinkled. “Darling.”
She stretched up to plant a kiss on his chin, and I saw his slight grin.
I looked away, surprised how much the affection between them had grown in less than a year.
I felt like even more of an outsider than I ever had before.
Almost all my friends and even acquaintances had a partner.
Realistically, I knew I’d probably be alone forever, other than maybe a couple dates here and there.
I wouldn’t ever have a husband or even a long-term boyfriend. And I didn’t want that.
I didn’t want that.
I really didn’t.
Except lately, I wondered.
I snapped out of my reverie when I felt a hand gently touch my arm and linger for a moment. As my eyes began to refocus, I saw Jeff stepping back.
He looked confused, perhaps concerned.
And now I was confused.
Turning to look at Hazel, I cleared my throat. “Sorry, what?”
She narrowed her eyes first, but then a laugh erupted from her mouth. “I asked if you’d have any objections to planning my launch party.”
My brows furrowed as I tried to remember when such a party was ever discussed. Nothing turned up. “I didn’t know you wanted a party. It makes sense though.”
“So you can do the planning?”
Hazel’s eyes were so eager that I couldn’t say no.
Still, I should say no.
“Sure, OK,” I said with as much enthusiasm as I could muster. I’d hoped to get away from event planning, but she was my boss, after all.
Her eyes lit up. “Wonderful! And of course, you both need to attend.”
I inhaled sharply and looked at Jeff with panic. He just nodded.
My head bobbed up and down quickly. “Sure, OK.”
A huge holiday party? Not a chance.
I’d get out of it. I’d figure out a way.
“Don’t even think about trying to make a last-minute excuse, Roxy,” Hazel said in an unusually sharp tone.
My eyes went wide, but then she winked as she strode past me to the window.
I stood there awkwardly with Peter and Jeff, two men who were also kind of high on the awkward scale.
Well, maybe not Jeff. He was generally decent at polite communication; it was mainly around me that he made a point of being curt and condescending. Only … not as much lately.
Hazel came back over to us after looking out the window for a moment.
“Just don’t skip out, please? This is important to me.”
People always said that: Don’t miss my party because it’s important to me .
Yeah, everyone’s party is important to someone.
Why does their version of important have to trump mine?
Most people had no idea what they were asking of me, the level of distress I’d feel. Even people pleasers had our limits.
“We wouldn’t dream of missing your party,” Jeff assured her, stepping closer and tensing the hand closest to me as it rose. For a moment, I thought he was going to place an arm around me.
As if.
Crazy thoughts. I must have been more tired than I realized.
He continued, “Roxy and I will be the first ones to arrive.” At Hazel’s widened eyes, he hastily added, “I mean, separately.”
My own eyes must have been huge because Hazel gave me an oddly curious look before giving him the same one. “Good. Oh, I forgot to mention, I want the launch party on New Year’s Eve.”
“New—New Year’s Eve?” I squeaked.
“Her birthday,” Peter added.
“Oh,” I said with a forced smile. I usually looked forward to celebrating New Year’s Eve with myself and my new resolutions, but I guess not this year. “Good to know. Can we meet to discuss your requirements sometime this week? I think your schedule is clear for Friday.”
Hazel checked her phone. “Yeah, fine. Just put it on my calendar.” She stuffed her phone in her purse. “Actually, Jeff, you might as well come too. You can manage the budget.”
Before either of us could object, she smiled and grabbed Peter’s hand. “We’ve got to go! Thanks, you guys. You’re really the best.”
I slumped onto the nearest chair and then noticed Hazel was closing the door.
Frowning, I swiveled around in a circle until I became slightly dizzy.
Jeff stood watching me. “Are you all right?”
“I’m great. How’d you know?” I said, my voice laced with sarcasm.
“You could have said no.”
“Everyone always says that to me. It’s not so easy, you know,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest before thinking better of it, given the deep V-necked sweater I was wearing today.
“I don’t know. I probably say no too easily. ”
My brows traveled up my forehead. “Wow. I can’t believe you admitted that.”
He shrugged, putting his hands in his pockets. “Why? I have flaws, and I know that. Just like anyone.”
I started to nod and then shook my head. “I thought you were only aware of the flaws in others.” Then, I muttered, “Especially me.”
He tilted his head, his face a mask as he studied me. “You make a lot of assumptions about people, don’t you?”
My defenses rose. “No, I don’t.”
“Hmm.”
“Fine. Maybe I do. But my assumptions are based on tons of evidence. People usually live up to expectations, don’t you think?”
“I used to think that,” he said quietly. “Now I’m not so sure.”