“Mm, yes, you do.” I grin. “Because this girl with sandpaper legs is allowing you to keep your hand on her butt.”

“Go back to sleep, Olivia.”

“So bossy.”

“I believe you told me you like to be bossed around in the bedroom.”

“Only under naked circumstances.”

“You have a lot of stipulations.”

“It’s part of my charm.”

“You’re charming alright.” He not-so-subtly squeezes my ass. “Go back to sleep, O.”

I don’t typically give a man what he wants so easily, but I’m sleepy and warm. I drift back to sleep to the sound of Asher’s breathing and a car backfiring.

* * *

To: Loveridge & McGowan Employee Network

Cc: Ana Loveridge-Herrera, River McGowan

From: Olivia Langley

Subject: Light That Menorah & Ugly Sweater Day!

Gone away is the work day!

Here to stay are the PJs!

Ana and River called a snow day!

So we get to play!

There will be no walking in this winter wonderland!

I know what you’re thinking! Olivia, we really wanted to hear you sing your new hit Christmas single that’s destined to top all the charts and become a holiday classic! And I’m here to tell you that there’s an audio attachment for your listening pleasure. I know, I know. I’m far too kind. Please shower me with compliments and Sephora gift cards.

And while I’m sure you were all ecstatic when you found out about this very snowy snow day, I know you were devastated when you realized it fell on the first day of Hanukkah and Ugly Sweater Day! But have no fear! Olivia is also here to tell you that we’ll be celebrating tomorrow! Wear your ugliest sweater to work and stay for our Menorah lighting extravaganza! Prizes will be awarded to the most hideous! (Sweaters not Menorahs).

Yours truly,

O. Langley

Social Media Intern & Santa’s Executive Helper

Loveridge & McGowan International

98 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019

[email protected]

P. S.: Asher, I do not sound like a rabid koala bear.

* * *

I wake up to a plow scraping the pavement. The quiet of a New York snowstorm is replaced by a noisy clean-up. I can hear Asher’s neighbors cursing as they chisel ice off their cars. Not everyone has the luxury of a snow day.

The realization that I’m alone spawns an annoying sense of disappointment. Doesn’t Asher know I have a long list of plans that don’t include getting out of bed? He has no idea how much fun he ruined. I consider making a point by reciting the very long list very loudly until he storms up here in a fit of broody rage and does number five to me for hours, but I smell coffee and hear pans clank, so I get out of bed because I need to be caffeinated and fed if I want to get through that list.