The first thing I do when I get to my office is call Nick Danvier. I’ve got to explain to him that what happened yesterday wasn’t my fault. That video wasn’t what I meant to show him. If I can be smooth enough, maybe I can make amends. After all, aren’t the holidays all about forgiving?
“Nicholas Danvier’s office,” a female voice chirps. It’s his receptionist. “How can I help you?”
“Hello, Megan.” Naturally, I know the name of the receptionist. “This is Elizabeth Scribner. Is Nick in the office yet?”
“I’m afraid not,” Megan says cheerfully. “Can I leave a message?”
I’ll have to see if I can find his cell phone number somewhere. “Yes. Can you please tell him I called and there’s something I really need to talk to him about.”
“Sure thing, Elizabeth!”
I hang up the phone, feeling only marginally better. I’ve got to come up with a plan to win this account. Now more than ever, I’m determined to work my butt off. There’s definitely no time in my life for a relationship. There’s no time for Christmas Eve dinner. And there’s no time to take Christmas off.
I hear a knock on the door. I smooth out my hair and paste a smile on my face. “Come in!”
Naturally, it’s Richard. Just who I want to see on a day like today—my main competition for the promotion, who also happens to be my ex-lover. He’s wearing another of his fantastically expensive suits with a red power tie that’s the same shade as my lipstick today. He’s clean-shaven, and I get a whiff of his aftershave from across the room. It smells like the past.
“Can I talk to you, Elizabeth?”
I fold my hands together on my desk. “I’m very busy.”
“It will be quick.”
Before I can protest again, he closes the door behind him and sits down in front of my desk. He flashes me the kind of smile you would give to a mental patient. “I heard about what happened yesterday.”
Yeah, him and everyone else in the office. “So…?”
“I’m really sorry,” he says. “I know how hard you worked on that presentation. And I know how important this account was to you.”
“Well.” I shrug with one shoulder. “It’s not entirely over. I’m going to talk to Nick Danvier today. I’ll just explain about the technical problems.”
Richard raises his eyebrows. “You really think he would give you a second chance?”
“Yes. I do.”
His lips spread in an incredibly fake smile. “Well, for your sake, I hope you’re right.”
“I am,” I say with more confidence than I feel.
He leans forward, his brow furrowed. “And if there’s anything I can do for you, anything at all…”
Oh, bullshit. He wants me to fail more than anyone else in this office. But I return his smile. “Of course. I’ll let you know.”
He nods. “I worry about you, Elizabeth. I really do. It’s hard for you—being single, all on your own.”
I stare at him. “You’re single.”
“But it’s different for men.” As obnoxious as his comment is, I hate to admit that he’s partially right. “Nobody calls me a spinster or an old maid like they do to you.”
My mouth falls open. “Who called me a spinster?”
“Well, everyone, right?” He shrugs. “But you don’t let it get to you. That’s awesome. I really admire your spirit. You are so brave.”
I hate this guy. I really hate him. I can’t believe I ever thought I might be in love with him.
“Anyway,” he says as he gets back to his feet. “If you ever feel lonely or need a friend, remember I’m here to talk to you.”
Fat chance. “Thanks, Richard. But that won’t be necessary.”
Richard cocks his head to the side in this look of pity. God, what a prick. At this moment, I know I’ve got to do everything I can to get this CEO job. I can’t let Richard win. If there’s one thing I can do to honor Marley’s memory, it’s to take down Richard Hall.
Chapter 22
I’ve been hard at work all morning, trying to come up with a strategy to win back the Danvier account. I also put in double time working on my other accounts. I can’t afford to lose anything right now. Just because tomorrow is Christmas, that doesn’t mean I should be slacking.
Although when lunchtime comes and goes and I still haven’t heard from Nick, I start getting worried.
In the late afternoon, I get a Skype request. Sometimes I Skype into meetings, but I don’t have anything scheduled this afternoon. I mean, how many meetings are being held on the afternoon before Christmas Day? Maybe it’s Nick. Maybe he’s thought about it and decided to give me another chance.
But then I see the request isn’t from Nick. It’s from Marley Jacobs.
No.
I bite my lip so hard, I might have drawn blood. This is not happening again. I can’t deal with another Marley sighting. I can’t. Marley is dead. I loved her and I miss her terribly, but she needs to stay dead.
My hand is trembling as I click to accept the call.
I hold my breath, waiting for Marley’s face to fill the screen. When I see her again, I might pass out. I’m not sure if my heart can take more of this.
Except it isn’t Marley who appears on the screen.
It’s my sister. It’s Polly.
This is the strangest thing. Polly doesn’t have Skype. And even if she did, she’s not even looking at the camera. She’s in the kitchen, pulling something out of the oven. It’s the weirdest thing. Maybe one of her kids got ahold of her computer and is sending me the video feed.
Over the next two days, you’re going to get three visits. One will be from the spirit of the past, one from the spirit of the present, and one from the spirit of the future.
Polly pulls a juicy brown turkey out of her oven. She lowers it down onto the counter with a sigh and pulls off her oven mitts. She calls out, “Turkey’s out! Is everyone ready to eat?”
I hadn’t realized Polly made such elaborate meals on Christmas Eve. Aside from the turkey, it looks like there are about a dozen side dishes on the dining table. My nieces and nephew are making themselves busy setting the table and bringing out the food. I catch a glimpse of a Christmas tree in the corner of the room that’s as big and ostentatious as the one in our office. When is the last time I had a Christmas tree in my house? Not since I lived with my mother.
There’s got to be an explanation for this. I don’t believe in ghosts. Marley could not be doing this. But somehow, I’m getting a video feed on Polly’s Christmas dinner. It’s got to be one of her kids.
“Polly!” I yell at the screen. “It’s your sister! It’s Ebbie! I can see you!”
But nobody looks up. Nobody looks in my direction. It’s like nobody even knows I’m watching.
“You really outdid yourself, Polly,” her husband Steve says as he scoops some food onto baby Taylor’s tray. Steve is a doughy guy with an easy smile. I always thought they were a good couple. He seems to really love her. But that doesn’t mean he can’t drop dead and leave her with nothing. “This meal looks amazing.”
Polly ruffles the soft golden curls on the head of my older niece, Stephanie. “There’s nothing like having the family together on a special holiday.” She pauses. “I just wish Ebbie could be here.”
Steve makes a face. “I don’t think she wishes that.”
“Of course she does!” Polly cries. “She and I are really close. She’s just super busy.”
I wince at the way my sister is making excuses for me. There was a time when Polly and I were really close. But we’re not anymore. As evidenced by the fact that my nephew Brian pipes up, “Who’s Ebbie?”
“See?” Steve says. “Brian doesn’t even know who she is!”
“It’s not her fault,” Polly insists. “She’s trying to get this big promotion. I’m sure when she gets it, she’ll come over a lot more.”
Steve rolls his eyes as he scoops some mashed potatoes onto his plate. “Right. Because I’m sure when she�
��s CEO of a big company, she’ll have tons of time to spend with us.”
“You don’t know Ebbie like I do. We were always really close. As soon as her life settles down, she’ll be here all the time.”
“Polly.” Steve puts down his fork. “I know you feel like Ebbie is your only family. But you have to face it. She just isn’t interested in spending time with us or getting to know the kids.” He reaches out to take her hand across the table. “The kids and I are your family now. You don’t need her.”
My sister looks so sad. I want to reach into the computer screen and give her a hug. “It’s not true!” I yell at the computer screen. “I love you, Polly! You know I do. I just don’t have a lot of free time. I promise though. I’m going to try to make time to come out there…”
But she doesn’t hear me, which is just as well, because I don’t really mean it. Polly holds Steve’s hand until the screen goes black
I sit back in my leather chair, my hands trembling. What the hell was that? Somebody must have put a camera in my sister’s house. That’s the only way I could’ve seen that.
Over the next two days, you’re going to get three visits. One will be from the spirit of the past, one from the spirit of the present, and one from the spirit of the future.
Those videos yesterday were clearly my past. Is this the spirit of the present? Is this what Marley foretold?
This is getting really creepy.
Just as I’m about to run outside for some air, an image appears on my computer screen again. Someone else’s Christmas, but not Polly this time. I rub my eyes, not wanting to see another heart-wrenching scene. Of course, Polly is my only family. There’s nobody else who wants me around tonight, on Christmas Eve. So who could this possibly be?
“Mom, are you sure you don’t need any help in the kitchen?”
“I told you no! Dinner is almost ready. I don’t need any help.”
The voice is familiar, even before I see Roberta’s gray hair. I bring my face closer to the screen, my mouth falling open as I realize that I’m looking into Roberta Craft’s living room. There are four kids coloring on the floor, and five adults sitting in her living room. I don’t recognize four of them, but I know the fifth very well:
It’s Tim.
Tim is sitting on the sofa, looking down at his cell phone. His brows are knitted together, and he rubs at his jaw. He’s got a five o’clock shadow on his face. I wonder if he shaved this morning.
“Hey, Tim,” the guy next to Tim on the sofa says. The resemblance between the two of them is obvious—Tim’s older brother? “How come you keep looking at your phone? What—are you waiting for a girl to text you?”
“No.” Tim quickly shoves his phone into his pocket. “Nothing like that.”
“You sure?”
Tim rolls his eyes. “Very sure, Scott.”
“So you don’t have a girlfriend?”
“Not even close.”
“You sure?”
“If I did,” Tim snorts, “you’d be the first to know.”
Scott slugs him in the shoulder. “I see. So where were you last night when I was calling, huh?”
“I don’t know. I guess I didn’t hear the phone.”
Scott grins. “And how about the night before?”
Tim’s ears turn pink this time. The woman sitting on the love seat (his sister? Sister-in-law?) notices his reaction and lets out a high-pitched squeal. “Timmy! You have a girlfriend? I thought you were celibate now.”
Tim groans. “I’m not celibate, Mary. I’m just… I was taking a break.”
“Uh, you dated Cynthia three years ago,” Mary points out. “That’s a pretty long break.”
“Well, it’s irrelevant.” Tim averts his eyes. “I don’t have a girlfriend. And that’s all there is to it.”
A little girl sitting on the floor wearing the most adorable yellow dress starts singing, “Uncle Tim has a girlfriend… Sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I and G…”
Roberta walks into the room with a tray of fruit just in time to hear her granddaughter’s song. Her face lights up. “Timmy! You have a girlfriend?”
“Jesus Christ.” Tim groans and buries his face in his hands. “Please stop. I promise I’m not seeing anyone.”
Scott raises his eyebrows. “But you’re interested in someone?”
Tim hesitates a beat too long, and his family is all too quick to jump on top of him. Roberta squeezes in beside him on the couch, looking delighted. “Who is she, Timmy? Anyone I know?”
“There isn’t anyone…”
Scott laughs. “Bullshit. You’re head over heels. I can see it all over your face, bro. I know that look.”
Tim shakes his head. “Fine. Fine. I did meet a girl a couple of nights ago. But… I don’t know. I don’t think she’s that into me.”
“Why not?” Scott says. “You’re not ridiculously ugly or anything.”
Tim casts a glance down at the crutches lying next to him on the floor. “She’s just not.”
Scott’s eyes darken. “If she’s not into you because you’ve got CP, then she’s not worth it. I mean, shit, Tim… there are plenty of girls who—”
Tim holds up a hand. “Spare me. I don’t want to have this conversation again. It’s just… it’s not happening. That’s all there is to it.”
“You should invite her somewhere tomorrow!” Roberta says, her blue eyes lit up. She clearly isn’t ready to give up on her youngest son having a girlfriend. “Somewhere romantic for Christmas Day.”
“It’s not a good idea,” Tim mumbles. “This girl… She won’t be into something like that.”
“Don’t be silly! Everybody loves Christmas!”
“Not her.” Tim shakes his head, and I can’t help but think that he’s definitely got my number.
Roberta places a hand on Tim’s shoulder. I can see the love in her eyes as she looks at her youngest son. I decided a long time ago not to have children of my own, but when I see the way Roberta looks at her kids or the way my mother looked at me in those movies, I feel a twinge of regret. Now that is real love. “Do you really like this girl?”
Tim heaves a sigh. “Mom…”
“Just answer the question, Timothy.”
I realize I’m holding my breath as I wait for his answer.
“Yeah, I really do.” He shuts his eyes for a moment, then opens them. “But it doesn’t matter.”
Roberta squeezes his shoulder. “If you like her that much, you need to go after her.”
“You should buy her some M&M’s, Uncle Tim,” the little girl in the yellow dress volunteers. “That’s what Oliver did for me! And now he’s my boyfriend!”
Tim shakes his head. “Listen, can’t we all just please stop talking about my love life, for a change? Mom, how is dinner going? You need me to go out and get you anything?”
“Don’t be silly!” Roberta snorts. “There’s snow on the ground. You’ll fall.”
Tim grunts. “I’m not going to fall. I got here okay, didn’t I?”
“So why risk it?” She waves her hand. “Anyway, I’ve got everything I need.”
“Can I help in the kitchen?”
She gets back on her feet. “You know I like to do it all myself. Anyway, it’s taking my mind off… everything.”
Scott’s brow furrows. “How are you doing, Mom? You seemed really upset yesterday.”
“Pish, I’m fine!” She dusts her hands off on her apron. “I was going to retire soon anyway. Now I can check out that wonderful senior center. Oh, and I can volunteer at the library!” She tries to smile, but it’s obvious her heart isn’t in it. I feel stab of guilt in my chest—it’s because of me that she lost her livelihood. “And of course, I can spend more time with my grandchildren.”
“It still makes me angry when I think about what that woman did to you.” Scott pounds his fist against the sofa cushion. “She had some nerve firing you like that. You should sue her back to the Stone Age, Mom. Don’t you think so, Tim?”
T
im coughs. “Uh…”
“Oh, please.” Roberta rolls her eyes. “I’m not suing anyone, especially Elizabeth. She’s a nice woman.”
“A nice woman!” Scott exclaims, his cheeks turning pink. “She fired you three days before Christmas! In front of the whole office! She sounds like—excuse my language—a huge bitch.”
“Scottie!”
Scott shrugs. “Well, it’s true. Who does something like that? Right, Tim?”
“She might’ve had her reasons,” Tim mumbles.
“Looking back, I don’t think I can blame her.” Roberta frowns. “I can’t believe I thought the shredder was the fax machine.”
Scott snickers under his breath. “How did you manage that anyway, Mom? This is the twentieth century. Weren’t you working there a long time?”
“Marley never asked me to do stuff like that.” Roberta’s lower lip juts out. “I just can’t figure all the newfangled technology.”
Tim raises his eyebrows at her. “A fax machine is newfangled technology?”
“Well, I could work the old one, but then they got this new one that was so confusing. It had so many buttons!” She shakes her head. “I can’t imagine how much trouble I must’ve caused poor Elizabeth. Richard Hall even spent all this time explaining it to me and I still got it wrong. I feel so stupid.”
The screen fades to black just as I’m listening so intently that my nose is nearly touching the screen. Richard was the one who showed Roberta the new equipment for the office? Right after Roberta started working for me?
This wasn’t all a coincidence. This wasn’t Roberta being incompetent. Something else was going on.
Oh my God. Richard sabotaged me.
Chapter 23
“All is fair in love and business. Or at least, that’s what the men will say.” –Marley Jacobs
I sit in my office, staring at the dark computer screen for a good twenty minutes, trying to wrap my head around what I just heard. I knew Richard was my main competition. I knew he wanted the CEO job as much as I did. But as much as I wanted the job, I never would have considered doing anything to sabotage him. I wanted it fair and square.
Ms. Scrooge Page 13
