Page 6 of Festive Flings

Looking up at her, I am completely dumbfounded. I do not know who she is referring to. “Who am I in love with? I have no idea what you are talking about, Georgia.”

“Oh my God! You really don’t know, do you? All this time, I thought you were failing at hiding it from me, but you haven’t even realised it yourself yet. You’re in love with Jamie, your personal assistant.”

Laughing at her, I disagree firmly. “No, I’m not. Besides, she has a boyfriend.”

However, Georgia stands firm and challenges me. “Look, I just want to have some fun. I realise this isn’t serious or long-lasting between us, but can we carry on having fun until the new year? She has a boyfriend, and it doesn’t look like they are going to be breaking up anytime soon, so why be alone?”

I stay with Georgia until the new year, and we have plenty of fun. However, once I return to work after the holidays, I know she is right. I have fallen in love with my young personal assistant who already has a boyfriend.

A year passes by, and it's the Christmas party again. This time Carl doesn’t turn up at all. Hopeful that things are fizzling out between them, I relax into the night and festivities, until I overhear Jamie talking to one of her friends in accounts. “I think Carl will propose this year. He’s been kind of secretive and I found a receipt for a jewellery shop in his car.”

My heart plummets into my shoes and all over Christmas and New Year. I wait in sick anticipation for an announcement on social media or a group text, but nothing comes. When we return to work in the new year, I continually give her jobs that involve showing her hands so I can catch a glimpse of a possible engagement ring, but there is no ring and no further mention of it.

Another six or seven months pass by and I am startled when Jamie’s sister calls to tell me that her sister needs a short sabbatical. She found Carl in bed with another woman and is devastated.

I hate that he broke her heart and that she is hurting. However, I begin to believe this is meant to be, it is fate. That relationship has to fall apart so a better one can come together. I cannot stop wishing that it's a relationship with me.

I visit Jamie in her new apartment in Greenwich, bringing her flowers,chocolates and a card from everyone in the office, but she looks completely stunned. I want to wrap her in my arms and give her all the words of comfort and love that I can muster, but I have to settle for a whispered ‘there, there’ and a kind pat on her shoulder.

~*~ End of Flashback ~*~

Jamie needed time and space, I knew she wouldn’t be ready to start something else for a while. Stepping back to allow her to process and get over the imbecile who trampled all over her delicate heart was hard. Finally, it looks like it is time to make my move before someone else does. Standing by and watching another man treating her as less than she deserved, tormented me once before. I don’t want to do it again.

So, how do I get Jamie to notice me? She still insists on calling me Mr. Matthews for fuck's sake. Will I always be just her boss, or will she ever be able to see me as something more?

Jamie is all I want in a woman; I wish for more with her. Honestly, I believe she could be ‘the one’ because I want everything with her. Now, I just have to be brave enough to show her I want her and only her.

~ Billie ~

The Café is jam packed and I work hard all day, hardly getting a chance to sit down or have a cup of tea. My back aches and my feet throb.

Dana, one of the lovely baristas here, helps me with the Christmas decorations. The place looks amazing. Between the red, green, gold and white decorations, the twinkling lights and the freestanding Santas and Gonks, it looks inviting, classy and festive, just as I envisioned it.

“I’ve brought you a reindeer cupcake to try and I have a snowman snowball we can share. Here is your gingerbread latte. Merry Christmas!” Dana says to me as she returns to the table. We are testing a couple of the Christmas offerings before we lock up for the day. “The cupcakes you saved for the children are in a box on the counter too.”

“Thank you, sweetie. I think with the flavoured hot chocolates, the gingerbread Santas and the festive sandwich selection, we have a superb Christmas menu.” I left a box on the lamp table for Jamie too. She could do with cheering up, and nothing cheers you up like chocolate cake does.

Tonight, is one of the nights we close early. There is no open mic or other event this evening and I am glad in a way. I've been feeling on edge for a couple of hours. I am going to talk to Jonty and finally address the issues we are facing.

Greenwich isn’t too busy today, there is no market on, and the colder weather is keeping people at home. I am able to get in my car and hit the road within a few minutes, which is highly unusual.

As I make my way home, I turn on the radio and smile when a favourite Christmas pop song plays cheerily, I sing along to the catchy lyrics.

The children are already at home with our childminder. I wave Kerryn goodbye, relieving her from her duties so I can spend time with my babies.

“Did you bring some cakes, Mummy?” Chloe asks me impatiently. My little girl has been eagerly waiting for the Christmas menu to be launched. She keeps asking for the delights I brought home last year. The stocking sugar cookies and Santa belly cupcakes were a roaring success last year, but I wanted to keep things fresh and had decided early on that I would try and do similar items but with slightly differing concepts.

“I have got both you and your brother a reindeer chocolate cupcake for after your dinner. But first, where are my hugs and kisses?” I tease her. “Is Daddy home yet?” She shakes her head vigorously before jumping into my arms.

“Thank you, Mummy!” she shouts, giving me a warm, sticky kiss. God, I love this little girl. Ever since last Christmas when she became aware of my job, she tells everyone that she is going to run a tearoom just like me, much to Jonty’s horror. He wants her to become a barrister, not a barista. However, if that is what makes my baby happy, that is exactly what she will do.

I sneak into the lounge where Oscar is playing FIFA on his game console. My son loves football. If he isn’t watching it, he’s playing it, or collecting cards for it, or talking about it, or gaming it. He has buckets of drive and ambition. He frequently reminds me of his father. Well, not so much now, but prior to having children, Jonty was passionate and zealous. I want that version of Jonty back; I miss him fiercely.

“Hey, sunshine, I’m home.” Oscar grunts in reply. “Oscar?” I try to get his attention and fail. “Right, one more game and then turn it off, mister. Come and talk to your family like a normal human.”

He glances at me fleetingly. “Okay, sorry just let me finish this match and then I’ll come and talk to you.”

When I return to Chloe in the kitchen, my phone beeps with a message from Jonty.

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