Page 149 of The Holiday Fakers
“Oh.”
“Lacey and I broke up. And she’s not working for us anymore. We should never have been together in the first place. She was a mistake.”
I cringe, immediately feeling sorry for the young woman who helped break up my relationship with Colin.
“And with Christmas coming up, it reminds me that I was going to come back to Hideaway Harbor with you. Meet your folks.”
Oh my fucking god. He’s not outside the house is he?
“I’ve got a new boyfriend,” I say quickly.
“You have?”
“Don’t sound so surprised!”
“No, I’m not. Sorry, that came out wrong. I’m uh … glad you’re happy.”
“Thank you.”
“Is it serious?”
“Yes.”
“Oh. Okay. That’s probably for the best.”
“Why?”
“Well, we’ll be working together for hopefully a long time. I wanted to call to let you know that next year your job’s secure. I’m taking a management position after we merge companies and we want to offer you the position of head of graphic design, overseeing and training two graduates to work under you.”
Oh my god.
“And the new role comes with a twenty percent pay rise.”
“Wow. That’s … amazing.”
“We want you to be an integral part of the leadership team with full autonomy.”
Colin’s offering me everything I’ve ever dreamed of at Parker and Overton, and then some.
“And I promise I’ll be professional. But if you ever break up with your new guy, please consider giving me a second chance.”
I make a non-committal sound in response because I don’t want to be rude when he’s offering me such an amazing opportunity.
“So, uh … Merry Christmas, Piper.”
“You too.”
“What are you up to today?”
“It’s the town dance and we’re spending the day decorating the room, so I’d better go. Mom’s calling me.”
“Okay, no problem. I’ve gotta go too and shovel snow with Dad. So … see you in the New Year?”
“Yep. See you then.”
I ring off and leap to my feet, running out of the room.
I need to speak to Brody.
