Page 53 of Dance with Me on New Year's Eve

Mari looked like she was going to object, but Hazel nudged her and spoke instead. “All right, so we’ll circle back to this future role discussion in the coming weeks, and Mari will hire a new event planner. I hope this helps, Rox.”

I offered a smile that was mostly genuine this time. “Yes, thank you so much. And don’t worry, we’re still on track to open your center by New Year’s Eve, I promise.”

Hazel eyed me thoughtfully for a moment. “You know, I was just thinking the other day about the day we met you. You were meant to interview for the position at the resort, and you got lost in the north wing.”

My smile was a bit shaky now. “Yes, and you helped me find Mari’s office. I was so grateful. Thank you again.”

They looked at each other.

“Can I ask you a question, Roxy?” Mari asked.

I blinked rapidly and nodded, dread filling me. “Of course.”

“Were you really lost on your way to the interview? Or were you looking for an escape?”

My breath caught in my throat, and my face must have been a sweaty, blotchy mess, so I looked at my nails.

Don’t look at them.

Whatever you do, don’t cry.

Or stammer or ramble.

Don’t give yourself away.

“I—” I heard my choked voice and looked frantically to the side, where I could escape the booth. Just as I started scooting over, I felt a soft, warm hand cover my clammy one.

“Roxy,” Mari whispered. “Please don’t go.”

I froze, my eyes glued to her hand, which slowly pulled back. I didn’t trust myselfto respond, so I just nodded.

“I’m not asking this as your boss, Roxy. I know it feels like you have to manage everything alone—that you can’t be vulnerable with anyone.”

“But that’s BS,” Hazel chimed in. “You can trust us.”

My mouth struggled to form words. “I—it’s not that I don’t trust you.” I stopped and took a sip of water. “Don’t think that. But youaremy bosses.”

Hazel frowned. “Does that mean we can’t be friends? We can’t be honest about what’s going on in our lives?”

“You say that, but …” I clenched and unclenched my hands to try to make them stop shaking. “Never mind,” I murmured.

“No, keep going,” she said.

Seeing my lips clamped shut, Mari sighed. “We’re not perfect at this either, you know. Hazel’s been my best friend for many years, but we screw up sometimes. We get caught up in life and love and … it’s not always perfect. And that’s OK.”

“I forgot Mari’s birthday one year. I know, who does that? But she spent years never telling me anything, so there’s that.”

Mari winced. “It’s true.”

“I forgot to try to call you during that big snowstorm earlier this year,” Hazel admitted, “but Mari barely heard from me either. I literally didn’t have a working phone and was just trying to survive one moment to the next as I was trapped in the house of the guy I thought hated me. Still, I should’ve tried to reach you. I was pretty self-absorbed last winter, even more than usual,” she added wryly.

“It’s fine,” I said. “I understand.”

As both of them looked at me expectantly with gentle smiles, it hit me.

Maybe it was safe to talk to them.

Maybe I’d never know unless I tried.

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