Page 46 of Blame It On the Secret Santa

Twenty-Seven

Sean

The ballroom was alreadyfilled with people by the time I got there. Thankfully, Waldon’s didn’t force us to have a stuffy holiday party with a plated dinner and dress code. Everyone could wear what they wanted, sit where they wanted, and help themselves to the buffet and cash bar.

I found a seat at one of the tables in the back of the room and looked around, trying to see if Cassidy was already there. A few coworkers said hi as they passed by, but I hadn’t been there long enough to really make any friends outside of work.

Melissa was up at the front of the room, guiding everyone on where to put their Secret Santa gifts and handing out two drink tickets to those coming in. Cassidy walked in wearing a sparkly black dress that dipped low into her cleavage and had a slit up her thigh. Her black heels made her long legs look even longer, and all I could think about was how good they would feel wrapped around my neck.

I shifted in my seat, trying to force my thoughts elsewhere so I didn’t have to excuse myself to deal with the situation building down south.

She set her gift under the tree at the front of the room and then said hi to a few people as she made her way around the room. She glanced at me, and I could tell she wanted to look away, so I held her gaze, making sure she felt the heat from it.

Thankfully for me, the majority of the tables were already filled, leaving mine open for her to join me. She grabbed a glass of wine and came over, seeming unsure of where to sit.

I pulled my arm off the back of the chair next to me and nodded to it. She rubbed her lips together as if debating it, but when I saw the redness in her eyes, I jumped up from my seat and stood in front of her.

“Cassidy, what’s wrong?” I asked, gently holding her elbow to keep her from turning away from me.

“Nothing,” she whispered, looking everywhere but at me.

“Bullshit. You’ve been crying. Why?”

“No, I haven’t.” Her voice was a low hiss as she looked around the table to see if anyone was listening to us.

A few other people joined us, leaving the only open seat for Cassidy next to me.

I took her glass of wine and set it down for her, still concerned with why she was upset.

“I’m going to go get food,” she said, pulling away from me and heading for the buffet. Little did she know, she wasn’t going to get away from me that easily.

I reached for her elbow again, smiling as we darted in between people and said hello as we got in line for the buffet.

“What’s going on, Cassidy?” I asked again, my hand resting low on her back, trying to maintain a proper boundary so people didn’t get the wrong idea.

“I told you, it’s nothing.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and reached for a plate.

I followed her through the line, not bothering to pay attention to what I was putting on mine. Food was the least of my concerns right now. Cassidy was upset about something, and I was determined to find out what was wrong. Once we made our way through, I guided her back to the table and pulled out her seat for her.

Everyone was already engaged in conversation which made it easy for me to try to continue mine with Cassidy.

“You’re really starting to worry me,” I said softly, leaning in so I could keep my voice low.

“I’m fine. Really.”

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