Page 29 of One Foggy Christmas
A loud growlrumbles through the silence.
“Was that your stomach?” I laugh, turning to Sadie beside me.
“Yes.” She taps on her phone, looking at the time. It’s almost seven o’clock. “I haven’t eaten anything since this morning.”
“You’re working too hard.” I scoot my chair back. “It’s Friday night. You should go home.”
“And do what? It’s not like I have a raging social life here in Chicago. I’d rather keep working.”
Same. If I go home, I’ll continue working for another three hours back at my house. I might as well stay with her.
Since Sadie came up with the idea of locum tenens two weeks ago, we’ve been working overtime to hopefully roll it out at the beginning of next year.
“Then let’s order some food. We’ll get some pizza delivered.” I shoot her a smile as I pick up my phone. “Don’t worry. I won’torder anything like a combination or Hawaiian. We can get half pepperoni and half cheese.”
She lifts her chin in satisfaction. “You know me so well.”
“I’ll even see if they can bring some ranch dressing with it. You’d bathe in that condiment if you could.”
“What do you mean?”
I hold my phone up to my ear. “From the first week you worked here, you’ve drenched ranch on every type of food imaginable.” My lips lift in a teasing way. “I’d love to see what would happen if you poured it on me.”
Sadie slugs me in the arm. “Where’s Human Resources when you need it?”
“You’re looking at him.”
“Then how am I supposed to report you for that comment and karaoke night?”
“None of those things are harassment at work.” My smile turns wicked. “It’s all after hours.” The pizza place answers before Sadie can give a retort. “Delivery,” I say, focusing on ordering. “They said it will be here in twenty minutes.” I set my phone down.
“Who calls to order food anymore?”
“I’m old school like that.”
She sits up in her chair, stretching her back. I want to watch because there’s something really sexy about Sadie stretching, but I don’t watch. Instead, I sit back down.
My phone dings, and I drop my eyes to the screen.
Lindy
You should stop by for dinner. I made stroganoff. Not the homemade kind. I’m not domestic enough for that. It’s Betty Crocker, but a noodle is a noodle. Eating at seven-thirty. I’ll set you a place.
If I left the office now, I could make it to my cousin's house for dinner. But I’d much rather stay here with Sadie. So, I ignore the text.
“I think we’ve exhausted every lead today.” I lean into my chair, fluffing the back of my hair.
“I wish I was going to be here in January to see how locums work out.” Her lips push into a frown, and I feel for her. I’d want to see how my idea—something I worked tirelessly on—plays out in real life.
“You could always keep working here when your internship is done. And I mean that in a totally professional-boss way and not the-guy-from-the-Cubs-game way.”
She laughs, but the longing returns to her eyes. “I wish I could. There’s just too much waiting for me back home. Too many people depending on me.”
I hate her answer because it’s about everyone else. Not what she really wants.
“You don’t have to decide right now. Let’s just play it by year.”
Amusement brings Sadie’s expression to life. “What did you say?”
