Page 30 of One Foggy Christmas
“I said you could play it by year.”
She buckles over with laughter.
“What?”
It takes her twenty seconds to even get the words out. “It’sear,notyear.We could play it by ear.”
“No.” I shake my head, my disbelief more than apparent. “That doesn’t even make sense.”
“And play it by year does?”
“Yeah, like we’ll see what happens next year.”
“That’s not the phrase.”
“I’m fact-checking you.” I use my laptop to Google it.
Sadie leans in, reading the meaning out loud over my shoulder. “The term's original meaning was to play without sheet music, meaning you either remembered the music or improvised it.” She turns to me. “I told you!”
Her smile widens to something full and genuine. I’m struck by how pleasant it is. I also don’t usually use words likepleasant,but she’s my intern, sopleasantseems like the safest way to describe it.
I’m smiling at her, and she’s smiling at me. Our gazes are locked, and sparks fly between us—at least for me. Suddenly, this no longer feels like a boss/employee conversation. It feels flirty.
I scoot back. “I’m going to go to the bathroom before the pizza arrives.”
“Sounds good.” She rolls her chair to her spot. “I’ll just be here.”
That’s the problem.
Sadie’s here at work.
In my thoughts.
In my dreams.
In my heart.
She’s everywhere.
SADIE
“I’ll never getover a Chicago deep-dish pizza.” I pat my lips with a napkin, savoring the taste.
“Yeah?” Nash smiles through his bite. “You like it better than New York pizza?”
“For sure! Give me all the thick bread and crusts.”
Nash’s cell phone rings. The sound is muffled, but it’s definitely ringing somewhere in this room. We both jump to our feet, lifting papers and napkins until I find it.
“It’s Lindy,” I look at the zoomed-in picture of the blonde with vibrant blue eyes and a giant smile.
This is the Lindy who calls at least three times a week and the same Lindy who texted Nash earlier tonight, inviting him to dinner.
I peeked over his shoulder and read the message.
I’m not jealous.
I just liked it better when I was the woman Nash wanted, but I’ve been replaced byLindy.
