Page 124 of When in December

“It is,” I agreed. “Take a picture of your outfit for me.”

“I will. I have to go home now through and fix all ofthis.” She waved her hand over her face and hair situation she had to deal with. “Promise you’ll get out of here before midnight?”

I nodded, though I didn’t say anything.

She huffed. “I’ll message you if I don’t hear anything from you.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Uh-huh.” Leaning down, she pressed a glossy kiss against my cheek before tugging her coat over her shoulder. “Love you, Pops.”

“Have fun. It’ll be great.”

She chuckled, turning down the aisle toward the door leading out of the office. “It’ll definitely be something.”

With that foreboding thought, I turned back to my computer again, trying to remember where I had left off. One email at a time, I worked through my list, adding things to the senior interior designers’ calendars and making sure everything was perfect for when everyone returned to the office.

Why shouldn’t I after all? By doing this, I was still doing the thing I enjoyed even if I was the last one in the office. There was no point for me to leave. I had no parties to go to. Even my parents had plans with friends to watch the ball drop and cheer with cheap champagne to bring in the new year, moving us one step forward into the rest of life.

I sighed.

Everyone seemed to be moving on with their lives, except for me.

Rubbing my eyes, I tried to focus on finishing the next contract and invoice that would need to be sent out for … someone.

Reaching for my stack of papers, I sorted through different folders of last names. Larson, McLucas, Hayes?—

I paused, picking at the edge of the Hayes-Preston folder, detailing all the first images I’d had for the cabin’s design before I even saw it the first time. There were swatches of tans and greens and more plaid than I thought Aaron would’ve ever stood for. The original design plans had held the same feeling I wanted in the end, but also so much had changed before it became the final product that I was proud of. I had no idea how I’d managedit all in such a short amount of time with all the hiccups. I certainly wouldn’t have without Aaron helping me.

Aaron inundated my mind. Was he celebrating New Year’s with his sister? How had the showing for his house gone? The people looking at it would be crazy if they didn’t buy it. It would surely go quickly. And when it did sell, was he going to reenlist?

I forced myself to push those thoughts aside and concentrate on work. I couldn’t dwell on Aaron Hayes or the cabin right now. It was over. I needed to move forward.

But how?

Tears pricked and threatened to spill from my eyes as I thought about how pathetic I must look, sitting alone in the office after hours while everyone else was out, enjoying their lives. Why couldn’t I?

I missed Aaron with his infectious laugh and love for his dog that he tried to hide. Underneath his facade of strength, I could see the cracks of grief that he tried to disguise, and it felt like a gift meant just for me.

Maybe I was pathetic, but I couldn’t let myself sit here, blinking at a screen any longer. Reaching to turn off the monitor, I pressed back all the emotions that threatened to surface even though it didn’t matter. Who was here to judge me? My stapler? The little flower sticky notes Hannah had somehow stocked in bulk?

“Super pathetic,” I muttered as I got up from my chair and slung my bag over my shoulder.

That was it; I was heading home and then driving to the cabin.

Was it crazy? Yes. Did it border on desperate? Also yes. But if he wasn’t there, then maybe that would be a sign. And if he was? Well, I didn’t know what would happen then, but?—

“I disagree,” a voice said.

Aaron stood in front of me, halfway up the aisle to my tiny cubicle in the corner of the office.

I wiped away the tears that finally slipped down my cheeks as I cleared my throat. “What are you doing here? It’s New Year’s. You should be?—”

“Where should I be, Snow Angel?”

How was he here? He shouldn’t be …

I couldn’t find the words.

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