Page 14 of My Secret Snowflake
“No.” I frown. “Really?”
She leans back as if that compliment was already too much.
I grin. “So, I’m one of the best-looking guys in the company.”
She shakes her head and covers her face with her hand.
“I think I would have noticed if you were there,” I say. From what I’ve seen, Iris has her fair share of admirers. It makes sense. She is very attractive, with her silky brown hair and green eyes, but mostly I think it’s her smile. She comes across as kind of reserved, but then when she smiles—like she did when she grabbed the room keys—it’s so wholehearted that you can’t help but smile in return and feel a sense of delight.
“Are you free for lunch today?” Iris asks. “But not in the cafeteria. Because there’s no privacy in there. I’m sure I can ask you enough questions to figure out a gift for Ernest.”
I’m all for lunch with Iris and getting to know her better—in a strictly platonic manner—even if it is under some false pretense that I know anything about Ernest, but it’s probably best to be honest.
“Sure. The only thing I know about Ernest is that he plays golf. Shouldn’t I just invite Ernest and you can ask him questions directly?” I ask.
“No, not yet. I don’t want to blow my cover and have him realize I’m his Secret Snowflake.”
“You take this very seriously,” I say, half-teasing.
She grins, and her whole face lights up. When she gives a presentation about cybersecurity measures, she’s so serious, almost scary—I definitely don’t dare click on any links unless I’ve first checked that the email address of the sender is legitimate. When she’s in cybersecurity mode, she doesn’t smile. But then she has this other side to her—the side that climbs into open windows and cares about getting the right gift for someone she doesn’t even know.
“Of course. Undercover missions. Super fun. You know, I started out as a white hat hacker.”
“I didn’t know that,” I say. “I feel like I should be worried now. You’ll be looking for my vulnerabilities, figuring out where I’m weakest so you can overwhelm my defenses.”
She narrows her eyes and pauses a minute, her glance sweeping over my office. I wonder what she sees. My law school diploma is framed on the wall, next to a black-and-white photograph of a snowy Literary Walk in Central Park.
I should bring in some personal knickknacks for my desk, but I’ve been working so hard ever since I arrived, I haven’t really had time to think about decorating my office. There’s been so much to learn—transferring from working in the legal department of a finance company to an entertainment company brings some very different issues. But that’s a challenge I enjoy. I think I have the hang of it now.
She leans forward. “You seem to have built a rather strong defensive network, and that does intrigue me.”
“Why?”
“Because you seem happy being single. That’s impressive. And then, of course, why does it make you happy?”
“I explained why before.”
“I think that’s just scratching the surface.”
“Maybe you’re giving me credit for being deeper than I am,” I say.
“I’m sure there’s a deeper reason,” she says. “Just as I’m sure that there’s an opening somewhere.”
I hold her glance. Now her eyes look more hazel than green. “I don’t think so.” My voice sounds a little sad.Oddly.
“Anyway, there are a few other Secret Snowflake–related events. In addition to the crafting activity, I asked HR if we can solicit book donations to benefit Lily’s holiday book gift drives at her library. We’ll have a Secret Snowflake event where company employees can wrap the books. And then there will be the reveal party. You should also definitely attend the main company holiday event, which is ice skating at Rockefeller Center with little siblings from the Big Brothers Big Sisters program with Alice Walker High School. You’re allowed to come even if you’re not a big sibling. That program is great. We meet as a group every other week, so it is very social.”
Xavier has created so many great initiatives at this company. And he was so happy when L’Etoile bought Dream, thinking it would mean more money for all his projects. And maybe it would have, if those last two movies hadn’t bombed at the box office.
“That I can do. And I should sign up with Big Brothers Big Sisters.”
Social activities per Boss Request.Check.
So what if they all also include Iris?I’m sure we can be friends.
And the fact that I’m already swamped with work?
“Should we meet for lunch at that new gnocchi place?” Iris says.
