Page 30 of A Merry Penthouse Christmas
“You’re really sure it’s okay for you to skip work today?” Beau asks me again. “I know how much that merger has been weighing on you.”
“It has been. And there are plenty of involved parties not so thrilled about my absence today, but I honestly needed this break. And not only because it’s nice to enjoy the holiday with festive traditions, good wine, and better company.” I grin at him, but it’s the way he leans against me on the loveseat and snuggles comfortably that nearly catches my breath. “I, um… keep running into the same roadblocks, and I’m not sure how to clear them.”
“Same roadblocks? All these weeks later?”
“More like constant inane pushback from one person, but she gets everyone riled up each time and keeps adding to the discussion when we need this wrapped by New Years.”
“Have you tried ‘Art of Waring’ the situation?” Beau blinks at me.
I laugh.
“Seriously! Didn’t you say it’s a staple of the modern businessman?”
Oh he is cute throwing that back at me. “It is,” I say, even if it’s not a staple of the modern bachelor who’s maybe realized he wants more out of his coming middle age.
“Well, let’s walk through it then.” Beau settles against me, sipping his wine and staring at the fireplace. One can’t prepare for tree decorating without a roaring fire, after all. “Do you know your enemy?”
“I do. Backwards and forwards.”
“Are you being secretive and subtle in your attacks?”
“Yes. I haven’t shown my whole hand.”
“Striking when and where the enemy is most vulnerable?”
“I’ve been trying to.”
“Picking your battles?”
“That’s been one of the problems: the battles keep getting picked for me.”
“Then I’d say the next one is your real problem: Are you aware of all outside influences?”
I think about that. I hadn’t considered it, but he may have a point. “Funny how I keep forgetting that one. Maybe Ms. Johnson is being a bit more secretive and subtle with me than I gave her credit. I’ll have to look into that.”
“And strike decisively?” Beau bats his eyes up at me.
“Always,” I say—and strike with a kiss that tastes like wine.
I might steal another under mistletoe later. I put up enough in doorways Beau doesn’t seem to have noticed yet. But that’s all. Just a kiss or two. Or three. He’s in recovery, and honestly, the way his face brightens again after getting more wine in him and starting to look through ornament boxes makes me want nothing more than to do just this all afternoon and lounge comfortably watching holidays movies well into the evening.
Work can wait until tomorrow.
Chapter 8
BEAU
Mysecondinterview,whichwas really just a formality, happened the next Monday, two days before Christmas Eve. I nailed it and the principal offered me the job on the spot. I knew Jared’s recommendation and the success of my first interview were a big part of it. What I didn’t know until the second interview finished was that Arik had given me a glowing review too.
We haven’t discussed any of it officially, but not in the same avoiding way as before, just silently agreeing it can wait until after Christmas. We can’t wait until after New Year’s though, not when I’ll be putting in hours at the school subbing and getting a feel for the place by the second week of January.
But official discussion can wait until December 26th.
It’s Christmas Eve now, and I have so many errands to run, I actually called Bellamy to watch Bastian so I didn’t have to drag the poor baby along.
I told Arik of course. Even though I trust my brother, I wasn’t about to hand Bastian over to someone for an afternoon without permission.
Arik and I are spending Christmas Eve together, but I promised my parents I’d attend our family Christmas the next day. After missing Thanksgiving, it was nonnegotiable, but at least I have something besides my marriage imploding to divert attention to now.
