Page 44 of Stranded for Christmas with my Boss

The entire birthday party is essentially winter-themed, with a main focus on elves, whether it’s their hats, weird-looking shoes, or their pointed ears. Holly went all out, and she certainly went all out when ordering me around and making sure I put everything in the right place.

“Me too,” Holly says before nudging me. “Ever since you talked to the principal, things have been a lot better.”

I didn’t tell herexactlywhat I said or that I scared the hell out of those bullies, but she knew that I made my frustration and disappointment clear. That’s all she needs to know.

“Good. I want things to stay that way.”

My eyes catch on Austin as he walks over to us with a small plate full of Swedish meatballs. “Sheesh. Leave some for the rest of us.”

Holly laughs as Austin gives my shoulder a playful shove. “You should’ve known better than to think I would share these.”

At least Austin and I are on better terms. Truly, we’re both tired and stressed. We don’t have time to get a beer or go to a hockey game to catch up and hash things out.

I’m just glad the December sprint is almost over.

I start to turn toward him to speak, but a flash of green catches my eye. I turn the other way just as Alyssa steps out of the foyer, her eyes sweeping back and forth to try and find me. As promised, she’s wearing a traditional elf costume with a green dress that has a red collar and a black belt. Red and white striped socks adorn her legs all the way down to her green shoes with curled toe tips. The best part are the pointed elf ears under her pointed, green hat.

She looks incredible. Just…incredible.

“Hold on,” I say as I leave behind Holly and Austin to meet Alyssa at the end of the foyer.

People are already looking over at her and smiling as they admire her costume. She smiles back in a shy manner, carefully tucking her hair behind her pointed ears. When her eyes land on me, her face lights up in a way that damn near takes my breath away.

Is she just happy that she sees someone she knows or is she just that happy to see me?

“You look incredible,” I tell her as I take her hand, giving her a playful spin so that I can see the whole costume. “You weren’t lying.”

Alyssa clicks her tongue at me as she places her hands on her hips just below her belt. “Me? A liar?”

I smirk and shake my head, still riddled with disbelief. I mean, I knew she would come because she’s reliable, but she looks even better than I expected. “Oliver is going to flip.”

“Is he having a good time?” Alyssa asks as her face softens.

It means a lot that she cares enough to even ask. On the outside, Oliver is just her boss’ nephew, but the relationship we have is deeper than just that. We haven’t talked about that, though.

Maybe we should.

As the days pass and our connection deepens, my worries about everything else grip me less and less. I don’t feel a stab of panic when I think about someone finding out the truth. I think I’m just tired of having to hide and hold myself back, especially in the middle of the holidays.

How many couples am I going to see kissing in front of the Rockefeller Christmas tree? How many jokes about mistletoe am I going to hear? This is the holiday of love, even more than Valentine’s Day.

“He’s having the time of his life,” I tell her as I glance in Oliver’s direction, seeing that he’s still preoccupied with hisfriends. I want to find just a few more minutes with Alyssa before she’s swept away for the rest of the party.

Holly doesn’t get the memo, though, and makes her way toward us. “You must be Alyssa.”

Alyssa smiles at Holly and sticks her hand out. “That’s me. Thank you for letting me come by.”

Holly shakes her hand before laughing and gesturing to Alyssa. “Oh, no. Thankyou. You look amazing!”

I can feel Alyssa’s relief radiating off her as she and my sister laugh together. It’s not like I’m introducing my girlfriend to my family, but it eerily kind of feels like it.

“Oh, Austin is here,” Alyssa comments, maintaining her cheery tone and smile. However, I can see the concern flashing in her eyes.

I knew that they would be in the same place, and I know it’s going to spark questions from Austin, but we’re not at the office. We’re at home. As much as I can, I just want to be myself here, and I want Alyssa here too, because Oliver likes her, and I enjoy her company.

Austin will have to see things from my side, and I need him to view things as my friend rather than as just my CTO.

“He’s basically Oliver’s other uncle,” Holly explains. “You’ve met him already at work, right?”

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