Chapters (26)
Chloe looks up at Asher. “Will you take a picture of her so I can see?”
His cheeks flush. “That’s up to Olivia.”
Chloe turns to me, grinning.
“I’ll make sure you get a picture.”
Chloe squeals and grabs my hand. “I’m so excited!”
Calling it a walk to the elevator is an understatement. She drags me there. While we wait in the doorway for Asher to give the nurses Chloe’s information, she tells me about the swans at the park. There are three of them—Hercules, Angel Eyes, and George Stephanopoulos. Hercules was married to Angel Eyes, but Angel Eyes left him for George Stephanopoulos, so Hercules bit off a piece of George’s wing. I don’t know if she has a very wild imagination, or if I should call animal control.
“All set,” Asher says when he comes over to us. “The nurse will give your phone number to Valentina’s mom.”
Chloe smiles slowly. Her eyes shift up and then back to us. Her smile grows.
“Are you going into sugar shock?” Asher asks.
“You’re standing under a mistletoe,” she sings. “We all know what that means.”
Asher takes a breath but doesn’t let it out. He’s a good talker. He’ll get himself out of this somehow. He’ll tell Chloe it’s not appropriate. That she can’t expect us to kiss just because we’re standing under a mistletoe. It’s trite. Cliche. This isn’t a Hallmark Channel movie.
This morning I wasn’t sure if I ever wanted to kiss Asher again. His drunken confession left me confused and his sober admission just puzzled me more.
But I know one thing. I miss him and that has to mean something.
So I lift myself onto my tippy toes and catch Asher’s eyes before I kiss his cheek.
And then, much to my surprise, he turns his head and his lips capture mine.
16
To: Loveridge & McGowan Employee Network
Cc: Ana Loveridge-Herrera, River McGowan
From: Olivia Langley
Subject: Winter Wonderland Gala!
At the Metropolitan Museum of Art we have an authentic Japanese sushi bar
And we can pretend we’re super bougie celebrities
We'll have lots of fun with all the paintings
And if you knock one down, you’ll probably get arrested
We'll dance and we’ll sway, the influencer way
Walkin' to the Winter Wonderland Gala
That’s right! Tonight is the night! Join your favorite clients and least favorite colleagues at our Winter Wonderland Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art! We’re going to have a holly jolly good time!
Yours truly,
O. Langley
Social Media Intern & Santa’s Executive Helper
Loveridge & McGowan International
98 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019
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