9. Zoey

9

ZOEY

T he next few days drag by. It’s Christmas Eve and I should be happy, but I just can’t get excited. I’ve not seen Hugo again, and I can’t bring myself to ask Mr. Walker about him.

I’m staring at my computer screen while absentmindedly making a paper clip chain.

“Is Charles in his office?”

The voice startles me out of my daydream. I look up and catch my breath. It’s the woman from the party, Hugo’s fiancé.

She’s wearing jeans and an expensive-looking sweater, but she looks no less beautiful.

I want to hate her, but she’s got a kind smile that reaches her eyes, forming little creases at the corners. She looks older than she did at the party, probably older than Hugo.

My heart sinks. How did I ever think I could compete with this older, sophisticated, slim woman?

“Ah, yeah.” I finally find my voice. “Mr. Walker is in the office.” I pick up my desk phone. “Who should I say is here to see him?”

But before I finish speaking, she darts behind me and raps softly on the door.

I leap out of my chair, but it’s too late. She opens the door and peers in.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Walker,” I say. But he gets out of his chair with a huge smile on his face.

“Clarissa, what a lovely surprise.”

He puts his hands on her shoulders and gives her a kiss on the cheek.

“I thought I’d drop by to give you this.” She holds up a small gift box neatly wrapped with a Christmas bow.

He gives her shoulder a squeeze. “Darling, you shouldn’t have.”

They’re being awfully familiar, but I guess she is practically family. I must be staring, because Mr. Walker turns to me.

“Zoey, I don’t think you’ve met Clarissa. Zoey is my assistant.”

She extends a hand to me and fixes me with a warm smile. “I hope he doesn’t give you too much trouble.”

“No.” I shake my head. “He’s no trouble at all.”

She rests her hand on his arm, and I notice the huge diamond on her ring finger.

Mr. Walker sees me looking, and he takes Clarissa’s hand. “Zoey, we may as well tell you. Clarissa and I are engaged.”

I feel the air go out of my chest, and my mouth drops open.

Mr. Walker laughs. “I know what you’re thinking. How did an old codger like me catch a stunning young thing like this?” Clarissa laughs and pats him playfully on the shoulder.

“That’s not what I was thinking.” I can feel myself turning bright red.

“We’ve been working together for some time. Clarissa took over one of our supplier’s businesses last year. That’s why we kept it a secret. But now we’re merging the businesses and we’ve told our families, so she can finally wear this big old diamond I got her.”

They’re smiling at each other in a goofy way like a couple of teenagers. It’s infectious, and I can’t keep the smile from spreading across my face.

“Congratulations,” I say. I’m happy for them, but all I can feel is relief. Hugo’s not engaged.

Then the smile slides from my face. I’ve been a gigantic ass. He was genuinely interested in me, and I turned him away.

“How did your family take it?” I ask casually.

“They’re happy for us.” Mr. Walker frowns. “Hugo promised to come back for the wedding.”

“Come back?” There’s a sinking feeling in my stomach.

“He’s heading back to Mexico. I tried to get him to stay for Christmas, but he said he’d leave us to it. Can’t say I blame him. Cocktails on the beach on Christmas day don’t sound half bad.”

“When did he leave?” There’s a note of panic in my voice.

“I said my goodbyes this morning.” He checks his phone. “His flight leaves in two hours.”

I suddenly know what I need to do. I back out the door.

“I’m sorry. I gotta go.”

He frowns. “Everything okay?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know.”

I grab my coat from the back of my chair and race out of the office hoping I’m not too late.