Page 78 of A Cozy Kind of Christmas
“No, it’s not.” Matt stole a gaze in the direction of Lucinda’s father. He returned the look with a stoic frown. Matt tried to gesture to catch Lucinda’s attention, but she continued.
She tapped the mic twice and blew into it, sending a painful static across the ballroom. “Hello, yellow, hello, Christmas people. Give it up for Christmas! Who’s here for Christmas?”
A few cheers erupted.
“And let’s hear it again. Who’s here for our Boy Wonder’s birthday?” She twirled the mic, slurring slightly. “Give it up for our guy, Matt—hey, hey, Mattie, get your hot ass up here.”
“Oh, God. She’s drunk.” Matt was looking deeply uncomfortable, and his cheeks were turning a dark shade of red.
“Meet the man, the legend, the myth, and the new Blazen VP—Matt Parker.”
Giant cheers erupted now. The room went wild, except for Meg.
“Hey, not so fast.” Matt was shaking his head and he set off towards the stage, but the crowd were blocking his way, stopping him to congratulate him and clapping him on his shoulder as he tried to struggle through.
What was going on?
“Obviously, tonight is a cause for massive celebration,” Lucinda continued, flipping her hair over her shoulder as she spoke and swaying from side to side like she was on a cruise ship sailing through choppy waters. “Our very own Matt Parkeris turning the big three-oh. Happy birthday, Matt; tonight’s for you and for the company, of course. Everything we do in the Hinton family is for Blazen. Blazen, Blazen, Blazen into the future, yeah?” She flashed Matt a tipsy grin and ducked out of her dad’s grasp. He tried to take the mic away, but she held up a finger, circling it in the air like a conductor. “All together now, let’s sing.”
Then she proceeded to lead the crowd in a slurred version of “Happy Birthday.”
Howard Hinton managed to wrangle the mic from his daughter’s hands as more cheers broke out at the end of the song. Meg craned to see Matt closer to the stage now but still wrestling his way through happy well-wishers.
“Thanks, my darling girl.” Her dad clutched Lucinda’s hand. Whether it was in a show of solidarity or an attempt to keep her upright, Meg couldn’t tell. “As Lucinda said, we have so much to celebrate tonight. I’m thrilled to announce something bigger. Something that will change the landscape of Blazen as we blaze into a new decade.” He paused for effect, his eyes landing on Matt. “I’ve offered Matt Parker more than the position of VP. Tonight is my official retirement announcement. Assuming Matt agrees to take over the company”—here he gave Matt a firm look—“I know you’ll be in good hands. Matt, why don’t you come up here and join us?” Howard asked.
Meg couldn’t watch this.
She needed to get out.
Now!
But the crowd had surged forward toward the stage. Bodies were packed so tight she was completely corralled in. There was no way out.
She tried to duck and elbow her way between two burly guys wearing matching plaid flannel shirts, but they wouldn’t budge.
Her stomach swirled. Panic tightened in her chest like a vice.
Just get through this.
Just breathe.
Up on stage, Howard Hinton beamed, clapping Matt on the back as he handed over the mic. “Matt, why don’t you say a few words.”
There was a long pause. Matt turned to the crowd, with an expression on his face that looked both strained and deeply sorry. Meg frowned in confusion. He didn’t look like a man about to propose. He looked like he might try to bolt.
“Uh, I—I…” Matt stuttered and stopped. “I want to say I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of the company for the last seven years. Working here has changed my life for the better and taught me so much.”
Here it comes.
Meg braced herself.
“Working with you has felt like much more than a job. It’s felt like a family, like I’ve been part of something bigger.”
Meg clutched her stomach.
He felt like part of their family, and now was he about tobecomepart of the family?
It was too late.
