by Dana Volney
“Any strategy I need to know going in?” she whispered as they walked side by side.
“Take no prisoners.”
He had a strong suspicion they weren’t only talking about a card game now.
• • •
“We’re playing Pictionary?” Lorelei sat at the table, and Henry took the chair to her right. The long, navy box had been placed in the center of the table along with legal notepads and sharpened pencils. She grabbed one of each. A ripple of excitement washed over her—she couldn’t remember the last time she’d played.
“What about the incident of 2012?” Trent took the seat next to Henry at the oblong table.
“It’s time we get over that.” Viola sat on Lorelei’s left. “And, tonight, we have an even number of people for three teams.”
Lorelei glanced at Henry, a sly crooked smile showing his dimple. His adorable dimple.
Henry sat back, resting his palm on his thigh. “No matter what they tell you, I never cheated.”
She glanced down to the strong hand so close to her. How would it feel to have his fingers interlaced with hers? She drew in a breath at the memory of his palms grasping her cheeks last night. Really good. It would feel really good.
“Let’s team up. Couples together.” Dwight sat down next to Viola, and Alicia claimed the seat between Trent and Dwight.
Lorelei felt a big stupid grin starting and stopped it as best she could. Henry just shook his head as he reached for his own paper and pencil. Apparently, they’d both given up arguing the point that they were not, nor ever had been, a couple. She didn’t know what her future held. But she wasn’t delusional about her present.
She helped set up the board in the middle of the table.
“Now, Lorelei,” Trent started with a smile, “I know you work with this big guy, but if he tries to cheat, it’s okay to tell us. Also, definitely don’t whisper, because we won’t go off of what other people are drawing and saying to guess.” He winked.
They all rolled for the highest number to see which team controlled the game first. Dwight won.
Henry set his pencil down and swiveled toward Lorelei. “You first.”
She raised her brows. “Are you sure?”
“Trust me, we’re better off with you drawing.”
She took the card from Dwight: Love seat.
“Too bad you’re starting at a disadvantage.” Dwight nodded toward Henry.
“I doubt that.” Lorelei arched a brow. Dwight wasn’t going to get away with little comments like that anymore as long as she was around.
Trent flipped the hourglass sand timer. “Go.”
Alicia, Dwight, and Lorelei all started to scribble. She drew an “O” for object in the corner and two dashes, because, while it might technically be one word, she was going to draw it in two.
She drew a heart.
“Heart.” Henry lowered his head and spoke quietly. “Red.”
She shook her head and ran the pencil over the humps again.
“Love,” he said, and his hot breath grazed her cheek, sending a chill straight down her spine.
His gaze searched hers for a second then dropped to her lips. Screw the game—she wanted to lean in and press her lips against his.
“Love seat!” Trent yelled.
Neither she nor Henry moved. They were in their own little bubble that she didn’t want to pop.
The sound of dice rolling and Alicia gloating made them break apart and sit back in their seats.
“We’ll get it this time.” Henry took the card from Trent, glanced at it, then passed it behind Lorelei to his mother.
“Go.” Alicia flipped the timer.
Henry drew an “A” for action then a circle with a ring around it.
Lorelei started calling out words close to him so that hopefully only he could hear. “Circle, round.”
He added stars.
“Space.” He nodded and waved his hand to keep her going. “Planet. Space.”
He drew a rocket on the ring.
“Orbit!” she yelled, raising her hands.
“Yes.” He mimicked her action, and she almost leaned in to hug him. Instead they high-fived.
“See? We got this.” His smile and lone dimple lingered.
Yeah, he might’ve been talking about the game, but that wasn’t where her mind was right now. Because whatever this was between them, they certainly didn’t have a handle on it.
• • •
Henry sat on the couch after game night and tried not to stare at Lorelei next to him. The light from the fire danced in her eyes. He hadn’t been able to get their kiss out of his mind. Had she? If it had been a big deal to her, then she was a great actress, because she seemed to have shrugged it off like she’d just placed a peck on an old friend out of tradition. He didn’t want to be an old friend. He wanted to be a new flame. But that was never going to happen. At least not in the near future. Especially when she figured out she wasn’t being named partner.
His skin prickled. Would she leave the firm when she didn’t get what she wanted? If she left, they could date—if she didn’t hate him, that was. But if she left, then he wouldn’t get to see her every day, go over cases and strategy with her, smell her perfume as he walked by her office.
This was a pickle. He’d not thought this through. Maybe ne needed Lorelei more than he thought.
And, tonight, could be the last time she ever looked at him like he could do no wrong. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve, and the family would announce a new partner at dinner. He finished the wine in his glass and extended his arm over the top of the couch behind her.
Still watching the fire, she leaned into the crook of his arm and put her feet on the couch, drawing her knees close to her chest.
“What a long year,” she said quietly.
“Sometimes, I’d like to know what it’s like not to work all the time. Then I remember I love what I do.”
“A real catch-22. Does your life ever bother you?” Lorelei asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Working fifteen-hour days, barely acknowledging most holidays. Identifying with it. Dreaming about it.”
“It didn’t used to.” Before this week, he’d not thought a part of his life was missing. He’d assumed there’d be dating, a family—all in due time. But that time was feeling more and more like now.
“And it does now?”
“Something like that. Does being a workaholic bother you?”
“No. And I think that’s the problem. I love what I do. Really. That can be rare. I feel blessed in that capacity. I need to figure out a bit more balance, though, so I can keep up with my friends and our brunch dates. And there are other things I want to do in my life. Travel, for example. But right now feels good, like I’m where I’m supposed to be.”
“Hale Law is lucky to have you. I’m lucky to have you. Mom wanted me to ask you to Christmas Eve dinner.” A bold-faced lie. This is what he’d been reduced to: asking his employee to dinner.
Lorelei shrugged, only working herself more into his chest. “Sure.”
“You don’t have plans?”
“We celebrate Christmas Day. Christmas Eve is a free-for-all.”
He wanted to say something insightful, something profound. But he had nothing. All he wanted to do was ask her if she was going to leave the firm. Leave him. Life was full of change, and he’d never cared before. The only option was to look at all the angles, embrace it, and work it to your good.
There were no good angles to her leaving. If she left Hale Law, it would be because she never wanted to see him again.
She’d become his opposing counsel.
Chapter Six
“This is perfect.” Lorelei held a first edition Hardy Boys book in her hand.
She’d relaxed, read a book, caught up with emails to friends about the holidays, and then started to miss being at Henry’s for his random family holiday activities. She’d run out of laundry to wash, closets to organize, and dishes to
do, so going to the mall and getting her boss a Christmas gift other than the baked goods she’d made him presented a sound reason to leave the house.
“Those books are out there, but this is the only one I’ve had come across my desk in a while.” Milfred looked over his wire-framed glasses and put his hands on the counter of his antique store. “The original volumes were all published in a cloth hardcover format with a color dust jacket. With the later ones, the pictures were all published on the cover itself.”
“This is definitely like the other ones he owns.” She was unreasonably proud of herself for finding Henry such a perfect Christmas gift. They’d never exchanged presents before; no one in the office had. But this year felt different, like a gift was warranted. The books weren’t necessarily hard to find, but she’d felt a brush of luck when she’d learned Milfred had one in stock.
“He’s a special young man to you?”
She snapped her head up to look into the eyes of their long-time family friend. “He’s my boss. I noticed his collection the other day and figured this would be a great gift and a way to garner some favor.” It was half true.
Milfred knew her family, so he’d believe she was calculating how to shift the odds in her favor. And she’d even told herself that the entire way over. She’d called Milfred for an idea of where to get the books because it would help her career. Not her personal life and not her love life. She seriously needed to tattoo her primary goal on her hand or something, because every time she laid eyes on Henry, him being her boss was not the first thing that came to mind any longer.
He was different this week. Different than the automaton she’d seen at the office for the last two years. Certainly, he was more fun to be around. They’d not gone out many times with Silver and Fisher, but Henry had been fairly buttoned-up when they had. The most emotional she’d ever seen him was when they’d been at the hospital when Fisher’s heart was failing. Henry had tried to hold it together, but there’d been fear in his gaze and his knuckles were white at his sides when he paced.
“Let me wrap that up for you.” Milfred took the old book in the back, came out with it wrapped in cloth, and then wrapped it again in brown paper, even tying it with a string bow.
“Thanks, Milfred. You’re the best.”
“Tell your parents Merry Christmas.”
“I will.” She waved and headed out into the main mall area. She didn’t need anything else. But she didn’t exactly have a to-do list at home either. And her parents were at their annual friends’ dinner party that she had no interest in attending.
Macy’s was by the food court, near where she’d parked, so she wandered in there. Maybe she’d find a new blouse or two.
She lightly grasped the fabric of a white-and-black chevron pattern when she noticed a guy standing at a table filled with “add-on” stuff like jewelry, scarfs, and gloves.
It was Henry. Her belly fluttered. What a surprise. She could turn around and leave the store right now, and he’d never be the wiser. Or . . . she could go say hi and talk with him for a bit. She really wanted to see him again outside of work. There was no telling how he’d act when January third rolled around and they were all back at the office. Or how she’d act. They’d be on equal footing then. Was dating between partners at a law firm frowned upon professionally? She could continue to get to know him through the holidays, keeping it professional, with no more kissing, and then if something happened when they were partners, so be it. They were consenting adults, after all.
She hid her new purchase in her bag.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Lorelei sidled up to Henry, who was now holding a pastel-painted scarf out in front of him and cocking his head to the side. “Put it back. That is not my color.” She bumped his upper arm with her elbow.
He smiled back at her, and her chest tingled. “It’s for my mom. What do you think?” He held it up under his chin and wiggled his brows.
“For your complexion, no. Hers, yes.” She leaned over the display of accessories. “And these.” She held dangling light-pink earrings to her ears.
“Beautiful.”
Only he wasn’t looking at the jewelry.
She held out the pair for him to take. And held her breath at the possibility of their fingers mingling. As he took them from her, his fingertips grazed hers, sending shivers through her arm and into her belly.
“You’re a little late to the shopping game,” she said.
“Late? Shoot, this is early. Stores are open late on Christmas Eve because of guys like me.”
“You need to get with the program. That’s why online shopping and next-day delivery exists.” She smiled at him. He made her happy.
“That’s why you’re in the mall right now? Because you have your shopping done?” He glanced down at her empty hands.
“Yeah, okay, you got me.” She wouldn’t be done until after the holidays. Silver, Maisy, and she had started a tradition long ago of waiting until after Christmas to hit the sales. Whoever got the best deal on a great gift didn’t have to buy brunch that day.
“Are we talking all the shopping left to do or for a select few?” he asked as his gaze continued to peruse the table of gifts.
“I came up here for one gift today. You?”
“Not counting my mom now, thank you very much, that makes . . . everyone else currently in my home.”
“I’m in.” She shrugged. “What were you thinking for the others? Let’s start with your brother.”
“I was thinking about a nice set of pens for him.”
“Okay. Practical. Anything else spring to mind?”
“Golf lessons. His putting could use some work.”
She chuckled. “All good gifts. What about Alicia and the boys?”
“I was just going to pick out toys for the boys. Alicia said there’s one show they all like, and I could get them something pertaining to it—it’s about a pirate or . . . a dragon slayer or something.”
“There are a lot of shows out there that could fit that bill. You should text her for specifics so you don’t end up having to return something. What about Alicia?”
“I was hoping you’d help me when it came to her.”
“I have no idea what she likes.”
“Being that you’re a woman, you already know more than I do. I’m guessing pens won’t fly for her too.”
“No. Not unless you want a dirty look and coal in your stocking next year.”
“Oh, a woman who still believes in Santa.”
“Darn straight. I’m not taking any chances when it comes to presents.”
“Who are you here getting a present for?” he asked.
The roundabout nature of his questioning wasn’t lost on her. He was trying to catch her off guard so she’d tell him. But she was on to his trickery.
“Right now, we have an Alicia problem.”
“Now I’m intrigued.” His brow arched. “Complete avoidance.”
“You’re not getting it out of me, so move on, counselor.” The present was, in fact, tucked in her purse, safe and sound. He wasn’t getting it out of her. The find was too perfect to spoil. And now she didn’t have to figure out how to entertain herself.
“We’ll see about that,” he said. “The night is young.”
“Back to Alicia. What does she do for fun?”
“Who knows?”
“Let’s head over to Bath and Body Works. They have nice candles.” Not an endearing option, but she doubted he’d ever purchased something for his sister-in-law that meant anything.
They left Macy’s and moved two stores down, closer to the food court. Her stomach growled. And she was fighting a bit of a headache, too, from way too many scents—from flowers to white-tea musk.
“That just leaves one more person. My father.” Henry shuffled his bags around.
“What do you usually get dear old dad?”
“I’ll probably circle back to that golf idea. Buy him some rounds at the local course.”
&nbs
p; She nodded. She shouldn’t be surprised. Not everyone bought meaningful gifts for others. She stole a glance at her purse. Yet she’d purchased something fairly meaningful for him. Was it too much? Would it send the wrong signal? He might not be getting the book after all.
Her gaze drifted. Should she give him the gift or not? “Well, look at that.” She pointed to the cinema front riddled with old movie posters and a festive garland, adjacent to the food court. “They’re showing Christmas classics on one screen all week. Let’s see what’s playing.” She headed straight for the movie listings to look at the dates, times, and movie titles. If he followed, terrific. If not, she’d probably dodged a bullet. Besides, she could go to a movie alone. No big deal. Aside from scary movies, the holiday category was her next favorite.
He was still beside her.
“Dang, we just missed It’s a Wonderful Life. Ohhh, Family Man is next.” That was a great flick. She bit her lip at the irony—the movie was also pretty relevant to their lives, considering both of them were basically workaholics. “Oh my gosh, then Die Hard. Which is essentially one of the best Christmas movies ever. Want to see a double feature?”
“Yes.” There was no hesitation. She liked a man who was sure of himself. She’d never seen Henry anything but.
The whole afternoon felt like they’d slept in, had a great breakfast, and decided to go shopping and see a movie on a whim. What a great day—it would have been, had that actually happened. But, instead, Lorelei was in this weird non-relationship that sort of felt like a relationship with her boss. Yeah, she was being real professional these days. She had to cut out of this cycle they were in. Could spending time with someone be called a cycle, or was it really just a series of events that led them to spending time with each other, getting to know each other, and starting to watch the clock when they weren’t together?
“Two tickets, please, for your next two holiday movies,” Henry said to the teenaged girl behind the glass.
“Oh, no, you don’t have to do that,” Lorelei interrupted. “If anything, it’s my treat. It was my suggestion.” Was it a date if he paid? Did he think it was a date? Did she want it to be a date? She surely wouldn’t say no to holding his hand and kissing. Yep, this was exactly what she needed to squelch. “I’ll get the food,” she finished as he opened the door and the wave of buttery goodness led her right to the counter.
