Page 25 of Santa Baby Maybe
6
Seven weeks ago
W.B.
Iwas in the middle of typing up an email when I heard a knock on my office door. I glanced up and was immediately disappointed to see it wasn’t Joy entering. That made me frown. I shouldn’t be hoping for her company; I should be staying away from her company.
Because she was confusing me. I was not a man who liked to be confused.
“That’s not an I’m-happy-to-see-my-boss face,” Wes pointed out. “That’s an I’ve-got-bad-news-to-tell-my-boss face.”
I stood, an old military habit when a member of higher rank entered my space. I had learned, however, to repress the salute.
“Wes,” I said. “I told you we could schedule a meeting in your office. You didn’t have to come down here immediately.”
I’d sent him an email letting him know that we needed to talk, but was intentionally vague about the topic. He’d clearly read that as a bad sign. Since it was, I couldn’t fault him for it.
“I have a sense for when I’m about to get gut punched. It comes from being gut punched on a regular basis when it comes to this company. I didn’t want to put it off.”
He walked toward my desk but stopped when he noticed my tree in the corner of the office. Yes, I’d decorated the ornaments Joy had given me. It’s not like I could leave them sitting on my desk.
Her pussies on my desk.
Do not go there.
“Didn’t take you for a tree in the office kind of guy,” Wes said, wandering over to study it.
“I’m told everyone has one in the executive level offices.”
“Nope,” Wes, said shaking his head. “Sure, there are trees in the lobby and the break rooms. We are a Christmas ornament company. Got to show off the wares. But no, none in any of the executive offices.”
“I’m going to kill her,” I muttered under my breath.
“What was that?”
“Nothing,” I said. “Or nothing that should concern you. I’ll take it down immediately.”
“I didn’t say you couldn’t have one.” Wes laughed. “It’s nice. Except for the brown turd with the sunglasses.”
I closed my eyes. “It’s a blind date.”
Wes laughed. “Okay. And why all the cats? You a cat guy? You know Joy brings her cat, Jake, to work sometimes. Apparently he’s got separation anxiety and she thinks it helps him. You could hang with him if you get lonely.”
“I’ve met Jake. Thanks.” I wasn’t about to explain the cats. Or any of the other ornaments, for that matter.
“Joy made these,” Wes said with a hint of reverence in his voice. “Look at the detail on these cats. They’re exquisite. It’s almost like you could pet them, the fur seems so real.”
“Yes, Joy’s…cats…are very lovely,” I said, trying to remove all thoughts of the wordpussyfrom my brain. “But you probably shouldn’t touch them. What with how delicate they are.”
Because I did not want Wes petting Joy’s pussies. Not that he would.
He turned away from the tree and took a seat across from me, his knees splayed, hands on thighs. Almost like he was bracing for impact.
Which he probably should. I sighed.
“Give it to me straight.”
“Someone,” I hedged, “is stealing from you.”
