Page 53 of Noel
“Thanks,” I say, already sliding into the ergonomic chair and setting my coffee down.“Really.I appreciate this.”
They nod and vanish, the way only scary, competent men can.
And then it’s quiet again.
I pull out my planner and notebook.Open a fresh document on the laptop.Start reviewing my vendor list.
I start with dessert because—why the fuck not?
The Stargazer is handling the dinner, but Clementine insisted on working withLet Them Eat Cake, a local, Insta-famous pastry shop, for dessert.
I tap the number on my screen and wait, pressing the phone to my ear.It rings twice before a bubbly voice answers.
“Let Them Eat Cake, this is Roxie!”
“Hi, Roxie, it’s Holly Winters from Big City Events.”
“Oh!Hi, Holly!Are we still on for today?We’ve got the dessert tasting menu completed and are just waiting for your approval.”
“Terrific, today at 5?”
“Perfect.”
“Okay.And we are confirmed,” I say, trying to keep my tone brisk, professional.“And you will have an assortment of pies, cookies, and cakes all reflecting the ‘holidays around the world’ theme Mrs.Callahan requested.”
She hums thoughtfully.“Yep.We got it.No problem.Did Mrs.Callahan say if she still wanted the build-your-own hot cocoa bar?”
“Yes.Plus, she is asking for eggnog that can be spiked upon request by the bar as a fun, adult option.”
Roxie laughs.“Okay, got it.You okay, Holly?You sound a little stressed.”
I pause, gripping the edge of the desk with my free hand.“It’s just a busy week.But everything’s still on, and I will be there today.”
“Okay, perfect.”
“Thank you!”
We hang up, and I make the proper notes on the file.
Next up—decor.I have to reassign a decorator who ghosted me, then I have to convince the string quartet to do a mashup of Mariah Carey and Mozart for the cocktail hour.
It takes a little cajoling, butdoneanddone.
Progress.
Normal.
I need normal.
I finish firing off emails and organizing the chaos that is the Drew’s House holiday gala, and when I look up, three hours have passed just like that.
I close my eyes and roll my shoulders, standing up to stretch—sitting at a desk is one of the leading causes of health problems these days for folks over thirty—the age bracket I am entering.
So yeah, stand, stretch, and walk around the tiny room for a bit, touching my toes and shaking my hands.And most importantly, try not to think about the man behind the chrome door.
Try not to think about his hands, his mouth, the way he held me this morning like I was something precious.
It was just sex.
