Page 9 of The Office Games

“I will. Thank you very much.” I pause. “Can I ask you something off the record?”

“No.” She avoids looking at me as she stands. “We're officiallyonthe record forever, Mr. Calloway.”

“I would still like to have lunch with you on weekends like we used to before the promotion.”

“To only discussbusiness, correct?”

Silence.

“By the way,” she says, “the second floor is planning a Santa-themed party to congratulate you."

“Santa-themed?” I groan. “Whose brilliant idea was that?”

“Bob in Editorial. Don't worry, though. As my final ‘off-the-record’ favor to you, I told him to hold off and make it a simple New Year’s party in January.”

“Thank you.”

She shrugs instead of saying, “You’re welcome.”

“One last thing, I’ll be back to work on January third,” she says. “I’m taking an extended break.”

“You're not supposed to tell me,” I say. “You’re supposed to ask.”

“Oh, okay.” She crosses her arms. “May Itell youthat I’m taking off early for the holidays and won’t be back until the third of January?”

“Fine.” I roll my eyes. “You’ll need to commit to working through the holidays next year, though. I have to hire an official creative president by then, and it would be nice if it were you.”

“I won't even be working here next year.”

WHAT?“What did you just say?”

“I said, 'Thank you for your kindness and understanding, and I’ll see you in the new year.”

“That’s not what you said, Taryn.”

“Prove it.” She heads toward the door.

"Wait a second, Taryn,” I say. “Wait.”

“Yeah?” She looks over her shoulder.

“Is this the year that your Christmas marriage pact with Cameron comes true?"

She gasps. “I told you about that?”

I nod. “Several times.”

“I’m still twenty-nine,” she says. “We would get married next year, if I haven’t fallen for someone else by then.”

“Okay.”

“Okay…”

“Are you going to try to find someone?” I ask. “Do you have any real feelings for him?”

“I’m afraid the answers to those questions are none of your business, Mr. Calloway.” She keeps her voice firm as she opens the door. “See you in the new year, and congratulations on being the new boss.”

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