“Thanks again for doing this,” I tell Celeste on our way to the venue. “And sorry in advance for any awkwardness that might ensue at this party. Hopefully it’ll be somewhat entertaining, though. And we’ll have a productive conversation with the higher-ups.”

“No worries at all,” she replies. “Honestly, I’m excited. I’ve never been to an office holiday party before. One of the downsides of not working a traditional nine-to-five.”

She has an uncharacteristically giddy grin on her face. It’s cute, but also a little disorienting.

“A downside?” I ask. “Trust me, you’re not missing much.”

“Oh?”

“Most people only go to this one because of the open bar. And the fact that it’s free for employees, while most NYE parties in the city are expensive. Even then, a lot of people like my friends still opt to go somewhere else that’s not related to work. They’re in Seattle right now with their cat.”

As we approach the venue, I feel lightheaded. Bringing Celeste seemed like a good idea when I first thought of it, but now that we’re mere steps away from pitching directly to the Citrine execs—something I’ve never even done by myself—and her meeting my coworkers, I’m less sure.

I take a few slow breaths and turn to Celeste, who gives me a concerned look.

“You okay?” she asks.

“Yeah. Or at least I think I am.”

“Don’t sweat too much about this, okay? Sure, it’d be nice, but if we don’t get the cover, it’s not the end of the world. And fuck your ex, really.”

I raise my eyebrows. “Do you know how ironic it is for you to tell me that last part?”

She lets out a sharp laugh. “Yeah, I heard it the moment I said it.”

“But yeah, okay. Let’s try to have as much fun as we can after we meet with the higher-ups, then. There’s apparently going to be a chocolate fountain, in addition to the open bar.”

Celeste rubs her hands together in anticipation. “My kind of party.”

When we enter through the doors, everyone turns to stare at us. It’s only then that I realize I never explicitly told anyone at work besides Evelyn, James, and my friends that I like women, too.

Oops.

Luckily, since we’re in San Francisco, most people just give me a look of mild surprise before going back to what they were doing. That is, everyone except James.

James’s mouth drops open when he sees me and Celeste. Shock, confusion, and anger flash across his face in rapid succession before his mouth closes again, becoming a straight, displeased line. It’s the most I’ve seen him emote since our breakup.

“Look behind me,” I whisper to Celeste. “At the white guy with brown hair and blue eyes. The one that’s staring at us. That’s him. My ex-fiancé.”