Page 24 of A Roommate for Christmas
“Big meeting today?”he asked, his face now looking amused.
Now it was Paige who looked confused.Is he actually speaking to me voluntarily?
“What?Why are you—”
“I noticed this morning you were more dressed up.”
Paige was caught between confusion and mild flattery.
“It’s just,” he continued, “you didn’t seem in the mood for any compliments earlier, but you look nice today.”
He said it so flippantly that she didn’t know how to respond.And before she could get anything out, Carter grabbed a juice from the fridge and went to his room.
So, he’s complimenting me now?This day could not get weirder.
She and Carter started the day in a staring standoff, then she was trapped on an elevator with Chance, and now Carter was handing out oddly phrased compliments to her.If her mind hadn’t already been spinning, it definitely was now.
Paige figured it would be best to keep her brain busy, so she heated a frozen meal, worked for an hour on her business plan, and turned in for the night.
***
The next week and a half was more of the same.At home, Paige only saw Carter occasionally, which was fine with her.He hadn’t made any more comments about the Christmas decor or about finding a new place to live.And while he was generally less rude, he hadn’t offered any more semi-compliments either.They mostly acted as ships passing in the night, though Paige couldn’t quite shake the image of Carter’s smile, or the glimpse she had gotten of his abs the day he moved in.She hated to admit how much brain space she had given this man.
At work, Paige was doing everything she could to avoid any more run-ins with Chance or Diana, which had been a success with the continued help of Jenny and Laura.The closest call had come when she was walking toward the break room to grab her lunch and spotted them on their way out.Luckily, they were deep in conversation that included puppy-dog eyes from both parties, so they didn’t notice her pivot to take the long way around.
This last year was arguably one of the hardest years of Paige’s life, and just when she had started feeling better, her best friend told her she was moving out, she lost her end-of-year bonus, she had to put up with an arrogant asshole of a roommate, and then learn that her cheating ex proposed to the woman he cheated on her with only a year before.
She was counting down the days until she left for Christmas with her family in California.In fact, it was one of the few things keeping her sane.
And now, only one more thing stood in the way of her enjoying a sunny and sixty-degree holiday with her family—her company’s annual Christmas party.
Paige was dreading this day most of all.Not only did this mark the year anniversary of Chance admitting his affair, which was trauma-inducing enough, but it was yet another opportunity for him and Diana to flaunt their new engagement.
She didn’t dare skip, as much as she wanted to.She didn’t want to look weak for avoiding the event, and also Paige’s boss was adamant that the entire team show up since they were inviting some of their top-tier clients this year.Not that any of these wereherclients.It wasn’t a battle she wanted to take on with her boss, who would, unfortunately, be her boss even longer now that she was bonus-less and soon-to-be roommate-less.
Paige’s only choice was to dress to impress in an effort to show everyone she had moved on and was thriving.And thankfully, she had made some impulse purchases on Cyber Monday for some killer dresses.
Nadia arrived after work on Thursday with their usual wine and sushi to help her decide on her outfit for the Friday night party.It was their last hangout together before Paige left for California on Saturday, and before Nadia would likely be engaged.
Nadia and Linus traded years with their families at Christmas, and this year was their year to stay in Illinois.He had been dropping major hints that this holiday would be extra special, and Nadia confirmed it when she accidentally found the ring box while she cleared out some drawers for her stuff at his—or now, their—apartment.
“Should we place bets on how he will do it?”Nadia asked while they ate their sushi.
“Yes!Okay, my money is on ice skating at Millennium Park Ice Rink.How can you beat getting down on one knee by the massive Christmas tree and the Bean?”Paige said.
“That’s definitely a strong contender,” Nadia replied.“As cliché as it sounds, I think he will go with the ring in a champagne glass at The Walnut Room in Macy’s.You know they have that massive tree up in the restaurant every year.”
“Hmm, that is also a good one.”Paige took a big sip of her wine.“As cool as he tries to come off, he really is a big cheeseball.”
“Yes, and a romantic at heart.”Nadia couldn’t keep from smiling as she said it.
Paige really did love seeing her friend in love.
“All right, enough about me!Let’s pick a dress that will make Chance do a double take,” Nadia demanded as they finished their last bites of sushi.
Paige went to her closet and changed into a skin-tight black dress with sheer sleeves.She liked how she looked as she turned in front of the mirror, then went to show Nadia.
“Okay, this one is hot, but like, funeral hot,” Nadia said.“Not sure it fits the Christmas party vibe you’re going for.”
