Page 26 of Stranded for Christmas with my Boss

Maybe. Damn, what if she never does, though? What if that was her quitting her job?

“Yeah, thanks,” I reply before disappearing back into my office, not wanting Austin to catch wind that I’ve been asking around about her.

Now he’s going to watch us more closely, which is not where I need his attention to be focused right now. He needs to focus on rallying all of our tech people to make sure that our app is functional on New Year’s Day. If it’s not, this whole thing will be a disaster.

How can anyone enjoy our update if it doesn’t even work?

I sink down into my seat again, calling her one more time, only for the call to go right to voicemail. No explanation. No call. Not even a message.

A cold dread settles in my gut as I stare at my phone, her unanswered calls gnawing at my nerves. Had I pushed her too far? The thought of losing her, not just from my office but from my life entirely, hit me with a force that left me reeling. I had to find her, to make sure she was okay…before the damage became irreparable. My eyes then narrow as a surge of determination breaks through my concern. I’m going to figure out what’s going on with her one way or another. She has to show face eventually, right?

And when it happens, we’re going to straighten things out once and for all.

Chapter thirteen

Alyssa

Distress rattles my chest with every breath as I stride into work, holding my white winter coat tight around my body to fight the chill outside. Each step toward the elevator feels heavier than the last.

I should be focused on my job—focused on proving myself here—but all I can think about is the man waiting upstairs. The man I promised myself I wouldn’t fall for—but already have.

The towering Christmas tree with a golden glow. The garland adorning the front of the receptionist’s desk. The potted poinsettias in every corner.

I think it’s safe to say that my Christmas spirit has dwindled down significantly. How can I focus on being holly and jolly when my parents and I are going to be broke?

My teeth press into my bottom lip as I wait for the elevator doors to slide open, nervously chewing as my mind races. Most of my parents’ monthly bills have already been taken care of, but none of us were preparing for a huge cost like their only car needing repairs!

We’re barely digging ourselves out of the medical debt hole. We haven’t had enough money left over to have much of an emergency fund, so the repairs will be coming out of our pockets. Not that my pockets are all that lined with cash right now.

I don’t get my next paycheck until next week, and I’ve already spent most of the last one on bills and necessities.

I step into the elevator when the doors finally open, my brow furrowing as another worry hits me like a punch. Yes, another worry. I can’t only have one at a time, right?

Life doesn’t work that way.

My parents’ car is in the shop, which means they have no way to get anywhere they need to go, like doctor’s appointments, the grocery store, and any other errand that is necessary for them to run. The older they get, the more important their errands are.

An uneven breath drifts from me as I watch the red, digital numbers count upward as the elevator zips along. What the hell am I going to say to Jensen? I completely skipped out on work yesterday without warning or explanation.

I suppose the truth will suffice, but what if he’s still pissed?

As soon as the doors glide open, I hurry out, determined to get my explanation to Jensen out of the way so that I can get to work. I need full paychecks from here on out. I can’t risk stiffing myself.

“Alyssa.”

I jolt to a stop as Austin steps out of his office ahead of me. I plaster a polite smile onto my face and nod a greeting to him. “Oh, hello. Can I help you with anything?”

Austin motions for me to follow him into his office.

A pang of anxiety hits me in the stomach, nearly sending me running back to the elevator. I’ve barely even talked to the guy. What does he want from me?

Oh, no. What if he’s firing me because Jensen doesn’t even want to see me?

The worst scenarios possible filter through my mind as I step into Austin’s office, my heart pounding as he cracks the door behind me. “Did I do something wrong? I have an explanation for why I left yesterday.”

Austin waves his hand dismissively as he approaches me. He glances toward the door before clearing his throat, seeming unsure of how to say what he wants to say. “I talked to Jensen about this yesterday, but…I know about the two of you.”

My heart stops so suddenly that it knocks the breath out of my lungs. “What? What do you mean?”

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