Page 104 of My Secret Snowflake
“Still, if you guys were both promoted, it doesn’t seem like they’re closing us down, right?” Ernest asks. “That would be cruel.”
Iris and I look at each other. It’s not entirely past them.
“Xavier never thought they were going to close us down,” I say.
“Well, it was incredible for Colby to step down to save money for the company—his brother’s dream company—so that maybe they won’t close us down. The New Mexico CFO seems like a good guy,” Ernest says.
“Is that what you heard?”
“Colby implied that at his good-bye party with accounting,” Ernest says.
Iris frowns.
Jazmine joins us at that moment. “I’m so glad you’re replacing Kevin.” She hugs Iris. “And Ernest, there’s someone I want you to meet.” She winks at me.
“Jazmine, everything is delicious, but I’m going home soon,” Iris says. “The last 48 hours have been such an emotional rollercoaster. I’m wiped out.”
“Take some latkes,” Jazmine says. “And some babka. Don’t leave it all for me to eat.”
“I will. Thanks again for inviting me.”
“Well, you understand the meaning of kindness begetting kindness. I’m going to donate a copy of this book to Faith’s library. By the way, Nora has been helping Faith pick out books to buy, and they’re so excited. Faith says it’s like Christmas came early, and Nora says it’s like Eid al-Fitr.”
“I’m so happy to hear that,” Iris says. “I need to call Faith and coordinate for the winter dance on Friday. I forgot.”
They hug goodbye, and Jazmine pulls Ernest over to meet another woman.
“Are you really tired?” I ask. “Are you going to go home?”
Iris smiles at me. “I don’t have any more energy to socialize, but I do want to celebrate at your apartment with you.”
“I’mjustgoingtoslip into something more comfortable,” Iris says as we enter my apartment and hang up our coats. She picks up her backpack.
“Did you bring a change of clothes?” I ask.
“I should,” she says. “Getting up at six a.m. to rush home and change is not ideal.”
“You can borrow my sweatpants now if you want,” I say.
“I picked up something on my way over to Jazmine’s.” She leaves the living room.
I want to suggest again that she move in, but it’s probably not the right timing.Remember, she didn’t fully trust me. But hopefully, now she does. And if she wants her own apartment, I should respect that. But it makes sense for us to share an apartment. I pour us both some wine and swirl the red liquid in my glass.
“Do you want to do some cooking?” Iris asks as she walks back into my living room.
I blink.
Iris is wearing an apron.And nothing else.
She winks at me. “Do you still think aprons fall into the same category as socks?”
“Definitely not,” I practically growl. I grip the counter. It takes all I have not to cross the room to her. All words seem to have deserted me.
She raises one eyebrow, a very satisfied expression on her face. She knows she has me completely enthralled.
I can’t hold back and pick her up, swinging her around. “And yes, I definitely want to heat someone up.”
She wraps her arms and legs around me. “I do like a man who can cook.”
