Page 128 of Office Intrigue (Office Intrigue Duet 1)
No one said anything as to why they’d spent so much time holed up in the conference room and I didn’t ask. Truth was, I’d been fretting over the fact that Jordan had confirmed my fears. The office would be closed starting tomorrow thru the day after New Year’s. I could only assume that their impromptu decoration party was their way of sending me off.
That meant I was going to be spending a significant amount of time twiddling my thumbs.
Initially, I thought I would head over to my mother’s, hang out even if she didn’t necessarily want me there. However, a few minutes ago, I’d received a text from her letting me know that—surprise!—she and Jim would be on a cruise until after the first of the year.
For whatever reason, the news had dampened my spirits even more, although I probably should’ve seen it coming. After all, they did it every year.
“So, any big plans for your time off?” Ben asked me when he came out of his office to get another cup of afternoon coffee.
“No, actually.” I planted a smile on my face and pretended it didn’t bother me. “My family doesn’t really celebrate. My mom and stepdad are off on a two-week cruise.”
Ben frowned. “Really?”
“Really. It’s a ritual of theirs. She works hard all year and chooses to shut down her dental practice for a few weeks during the holidays.”
“What about your dad?”
“He died when I was three. My mom remarried a couple of years later and they’re still together. I have no other close family members.”
I definitely didn’t want Ben or anyone else to feel sorry for me. I certainly wasn’t seeking sympathy. I was extremely content with my life the way that it was. Especially now that I was building relationships with my bosses. Although we were doing some untraditional things, I still enjoyed getting to know these men and letting them show me things I’d never thought possible. Two weeks without that was going to be unbearable.
“What about you?” I prompted, wanting to redirect. “Where will you be spending Christmas?”
Ben smiled. “I’ll see my mother on Christmas Eve. She lives close and we make sure to spend that day together every year.”
“Will you be spending any time with Justin?” Sure, it was a personal question, but I already knew what their relationship entailed.
“I will,” he confirmed with a smile. “At least a couple of days.”
“Well, I hope you two have fun.”
Ben gave me a mock toast with his coffee mug, then disappeared into his office. I got to work, clearing out my email so that when I came back, I wouldn’t feel quite so overwhelmed.
•
I felt slightly shafted when Landon sent me an email at four thirty, telling me that I should go home for the remainder of the day and to have a good holiday. I knew he was simply trying to be nice, not cruelly kicking me out into the cold the way that I felt he was doing, but I couldn’t deny I felt dejected.
Knowing I couldn’t very well argue and tell him I’d rather stay, I sucked it up and started packing up my things. I wouldn’t be back until after the first of the year, so I made sure to grab anything I might need during my time off. Not that I kept a lot of personal effects in the office, but I did have a couple of things in my desk that I might need, such as my compact mirror and a tube of lip gloss I favored.
A few minutes later, the four of them walked out of their respective offices, all eyes landing on me.
“You’re headin’ out, right?” Landon asked, his eyes warm, his smile firmly in place.
Not one of them realized how hesitant I was to leave. Then again, I didn’t really want them to notice either.
“Yes, sir,” I answered with a forced amount of cheer in my voice.
I didn’t want to go, but it seemed I had no choice. With my purse in hand, I followed them to the lobby, which I found was empty because they had also sent Jordan home.
“We hope you have a good holiday,” Landon said, stepping in close to me.
I relaxed my posture and forced a smile. “Thank you.”
Landon leaned down and kissed me sweetly before stepping back out of the way. His eyes lingered on my face for a few seconds longer. The pain of loss intensified as reality sank in. I wouldn’t see him for at least two weeks.
Ben moved in close, his lips brushing mine. “Merry Christmas, Luci.”
“Merry Christmas.”
Justin was the next one to kiss me, and although I should’ve felt better, I didn’t.
When Master pulled me into him, I could tell he was trying to read my mind. I purposely put a blank expression on my face because the last thing I wanted was for any of them to pity me. It wasn’t their fault I was alone for the holidays. I could’ve probably spent time with Kristen if I hadn’t been avoiding her for the past month or so.
