Page 7 of Mishaps and Mistletoe

“Oof. Way to make me feel like I should head out for the early-bird special,” Josie muttered.

Nora shook her head slowly, her eyes open but a sliver. “Why isn’t this bothering you?”

A long sigh escaped Josie’s lips. “It does. I’ve wanted this job since I was a kid. It’s what I went to college for. Being able to work at a place bursting with this much Christmas spirit has been an absolute dream. Maybe it’s time I woke up.”

Nora’s eyes nearly flew out of her head. “You’re not quitting, are you?”

“No, no. I do still love it here. It’s just—I love this place so much, I’ve gotta ask myself if I’m really the best person for the job anymore. I’m not sure I have what it takes. And isn’t it poetic justice—this woman living the life I’m no longer able with the man I was supposed to marry and the job I was supposed to have?”

“Nonsense.” Nora waved her hand dismissively. “You and I both know what you’re capable of. You just need to find your inspiration again.”

“Is that all?” she asked sarcastically.

“I have just the thing.” She tossed a small paper packet on the desk and walked to the door. “You know, I know youlovethis place as much as I do. I saw it in your eyes when I hired you. This place is in your blood.” Josie blinked back tears that threatened to spill over her cheeks as she looked at her boss. “Love can inspire you.” She shrugged. “So, let yourself fall in love again.” She nodded toward the papers she’d left Josie and walked out the door.

When Josie reached for them, she learned bad things can sometimes happen in fours as she sat atop the crumbled remains of her desk chair with a rear end as bruised as her heart.

ChapterThree

Josie hoped the scent of coffee at Mountain Brew had aromatherapeutic properties that could relax her. Or make her happier.

No such luck.

And the healthy smoothie she ordered was not living up to its name, Goodness in a Glass. It tasted like pure evil and looked like sewage.

“Hello, stranger. What brings you in this late on a weekday afternoon?”

She sat her gag-in-a-glass on the table and looked up at Johnny. “What brings me in here? Where do I begin?” She thumbed the packet of vouchers Nora had given her while she explained her afternoon to Johnny. “Let’s see—I'm not getting that promotion. I’m competing for the job against Scott’s fiancée. We’ll have to face off in a presentation to see who can come up with the best idea for a holiday theme for the resort. Oh, and Nora gave me these vouchers for activities around the resort—all of which are a bit too couple-y for my taste—to help me find someinspiration.” She took a sip of a smoothie when she finished her summary of the worst afternoon ever, and immediately regretted it.

Seriously, who likes this stuff?

Johnny blinked slowly, his mouth hanging open. “Geez. Is that all?”

“Mm,” she mumbled with a mouth full of her drink. She’d paid six bucks for it; she wasn't letting it go to waste. Even if it tasted like poison. “But wait. That’s not all.” She sounded like an infomercial touting the amazingness of a product, not the crappiness of her day. “My desk chair fell apart while I was on it, so I sat on its remains for an undetermined amount of time as I pondered the goings-on of my day. I looked so pathetic. Nora told me to take the rest of the afternoon off toclear my head.And now you know everything.”

Johnny pulled his chair around to her side of the small table and rubbed her shoulder. “Are you okay?”

She twisted in her seat. “Well, I feel like a chair went up my butt. I mean, it kinda did so…”

“I mean, how are you feeling? On the inside?”

“Ooh. A physical therapistanda psychologist?” Johnny glared at her, so she cut the sarcasm. “Fine. I don't really feel anything. Shock, maybe? But it’s been a few hours, so I’m probably okay.”

He nodded at the vouchers. “Those are the events you need to go to?”

“No. I mean—maybe? Ishouldgo. Nora thought it was a good idea. It’s just…”

“You need someone to go with.”

Yeah, that was part of it. But she didn't want to launch a whole psychotherapy session with Johnny in the middle of the coffeehouse. “I do. Would you maybe, possibly, sort of consider…”

“Be still, my heart.” He grabbed his chest. “I can tell youreallywant to go with me.” They shared a laugh.

“We’d have to go in the evenings because I work during the day, but that should work with your schedule, right?”

He sucked in air in through his teeth. “My old schedule.” For the first time, Josie noticed he was in his work uniform. “I’m actually on my way in now—switched my schedule to afternoons and evenings until the first of the year to cover for someone on medical leave. Sorry, Jojo.”

“Don’t apologize. I’ll think of something.”

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