Page 2 of No Time for Traditions

Cassandra nodded. “Have a safe flight.”

Brittany stood and made her way toward the door. Halfway across the creaky hardwood, she stopped and turned to her boss. “Cassandra?”

“Yes?” Cassandra looked up from organizing her files.

“I hope you have a Merry Christmas.”

“Thank you, Brittany. You as well.” Cassandra offered her a genuine smile this time. A closed-lip, non-excited smile, but nonetheless a heartfelt one. At least for her.

“Close the door, please, on your way out.”

As Brittany made her way down the hall to her own office, she couldn’t help but feel a little sad for Cassandra. For all Brittany knew, Cassandra might have a calendar filled with events and take in all the Christmas magic New York City had to offer. That sounded pleasant in theory, but the Cassandra she knew would most likely go to the office every day except Christmas and maybe Christmas Eve, doing little more for the holiday than dinner and a play with her elderly parents.

Back at her desk, Brittany checked her email once more, making sure all her away messages were set. She messaged an author, assuring her she’d be available should an emergency arise. Then she packed her laptop bag and locked up everything for the well-earned vacation days she saved up each year for Christmas.

Sometime tomorrow, she would relax on her mom’s couch with a hot chocolate and a holiday movie playing in the background. It would be the first Christmas since her grandpa died, which might make things a little hard. Still, she couldn’t wait to see her brother’s family and catch up with all her cousins, as most of them lived in or near Hillside.

Brittany pulled her wavy brown hair back with a ponytail holder and buttoned her overcoat. Perfect timing to meet her friends for one last dinner before the holidays.

* * *

Before heading out to dinner,Brittany stopped by her studio apartment to drop off her laptop. Brittany admired the Christmas decorations throughout the building on her way to her floor. She loved everything about the holidays, from the decorations and music to the food and family gatherings. When she made it to her door, she spotted Alice, who lived in the apartment next to her, juggling a few rolled yoga mats in her arms, along with a duffle bag and purse.

“Let me help.”

“Thanks, Brit.” Alice let Brittany grab the mats so she could fish out her keys.

“Long day?” Although Brittany worked a lot, she didn’t envy Alice’s schedule. She taught Pilates at a hip fitness studio and often worked all morning and again late in the evening, with her off time in the afternoons.

“Just busy. Most women seem to think if they pack in as many classes as possible right before Christmas, it will somehow counteract all the turkey and cheesecake.”

Brittany laughed.

“Aren’t you headed out of town?”

“Tomorrow morning. I’m going to dinner in a minute.”

“Oh yeah. Thursday. No Brides friends.”

“Yep.” Brittany handed Alice back her stack of mats once she’d opened her door. “Hey, you should come with me. I think you’d like them.”

“Thanks, but I have an impending date with a hot shower.”

Brittany sighed. “I understand that.”

“Maybe when things slow down.”

“So when we’re retired?” Brittany raised an eyebrow.

Alice bobbed her blonde head and scrunched her pierced nose. “Uh, yeah . . . How about after the holidays, then?”

“Deal.” Brittany opened her own door. “Have a Merry Christmas.”

“You, too, girl.” Alice smiled and ducked inside her own door.

Brittany set her laptop on the small table beside the entry and glanced in the mirror hanging above it. Tired circles cupped her blue eyes, but she didn’t have time to touch up her makeup. She pulled her ponytail out and tousled her hair. That would do. It wasn’t like her appearance mattered much, anyway. The No Brides Club didn’t exactly ooze a vibe of wanting to attract eligible bachelors. Thus, the name of their group.

Brittany locked up and made her way out of the building, deciding her time was better spent enjoying the walk to Briarwood Tavern. It was just a few blocks from her apartment, and something about the quiet, cobblestone streets gave her a bit of solace from the hustle of New York City. Even better, this time of year, all the storefronts and street-side landscaping sparkled with tiny white or multi-colored lights. Brittany soaked in all the snowiness of her surroundings. Nothing beat going home for Christmas, but white Christmases in Alabama were about as common as a first novel becoming a classic.

---