Page 13 of Her Holiday Heartthrobs

Insecurities and jealousy aside, I like Sabrina and hope she comes back for lunch with me again. Maybe tomorrow, I can initiate that.

Diving back into work, I’m on it until the moment 5 p.m. hits. My phone chimes, and I pack things up. Head swimming the entire way home, I take notes on my voice-to-text app. Stepping up to my front door, keys in hand, I snap back to myself. It’s a switch I learned to make so that I could maintain some kind of work-home balance.

Jackie opens the door for me. “Hey, girl. Glad you are home. Dinner is about done, and I want to hear all about your first day.”

I’m ushered inside with so much warmth and love, and I remember why I want to be so present when I’m here with my two boys.

As soon as the front door closes, my mini-man comes barreling out of the bathroom with his arms up, so I swing him easily into my arms.

“I went potty, Momma!”

I gasp. “All by yourself?”

“Yes.”

“What a big boy you are! And did you wash your hands?” I pinch him under his arms lightly.

He grabs my face between his hands. “No.”

“Gross, Bub. Big time gross.” I walk him over to the sink where we wash his hands, and I wash my face when he’s done.

Jackie laughs at me the entire time and plates up dinner. Nothing fancy, just mac and cheese and peanut butter fluff sandwiches. Those are Paxton’s favorite two things to eat, and it’s obvious Jackie didn’t want to fight him with me gone all day.

I fill my bestie in on the day as best I can between Paxton’s constant babble, but I keep it G-rated while my son’s ears are primed. “I need to go over my perspectives again.”

“Mmm. I can help. After the monster goes to b-e-d.” Jackie gives Paxton the all-knowing look.

My son simply points at Jackie and says his name.

“Yes, you little monster. I am Jackie, your benevolent overseer, and don’t you forget it.”

My bestie is so good with my son, although he seems to loathe all other kids. I would never have made it without him. Him and my dad. Both of them are so wonderful. For the nexttwo hours, we play and sing and watch endless cartoons until it’s Paxton’s bedtime.

He needs a little extra mommy time to fall asleep, so it’s nine before I get back to Jackie, who has notes on my work. Again, a godsend of a best friend.

My sleep isn’t great, but I wake with a pep in my step, get through my morning routine without hiccup, and am at work with a half hour to spare. Really, it’s a stroke of luck.

I give a little wave at Sabrina on my way by, but my steps falter as Henry appears in his office doorway. Apparently, he’s an earlier bird too. Great.

“Paige. In my office, please.” And he disappears inside, leaving me with my heart jackhammering in my chest.

I share a look with his assistant, bite my lip, and march inside.

“Close the door,” my new boss says from behind his massive desk.

I do as he says and fold my arms over my chest. After a few seconds, he meets my gaze and lifts a brow. I lift mine in return. The way he summoned me is too abrupt, and I’m waiting for him to rip me a new one.

He straightens as if he can read my resentment. “Want to show me what you have?”

“I don’t need you to check my work.” I refuse to let my arms drop because they will plant on my hips if I do.

“That’s my job. To check your work.”

“Not before everyone else sees it. I don’t need you to pre-check my work to be sure I’m doing it right.”

Henry presses his thumb and forefinger to the bridge of his nose. “That’s not why?—”

“That's exactly why. You don’t need to keep me from embarrassing myself. It’s not going to happen.”

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