to rework the entire thing.”
“I’m sure it’s great.” His eyes roam around the office and stop at Branson’s darkened one. “Where’s the boss?”
“He’s out today for meetings.” Glancing at the time on the clock, I realize why Hunter is sitting here. I remember and say, “I forgot to tell you that your daily meeting with him was canceled. I’m sorry.”
He rubs a hand over his chest and nods. “Or you didn’t tell me on purpose because you were eager to see me again.”
“If I wanted to see you, I would have called.” My phone is sitting on the desk beside me, so I raise it and explain, “I have your number.”
“Then, you should use it. I am your fake boyfriend after all.”
His use of the word fake is said in jest, but it has me feeling off. My hands are itchy, and I suddenly want to stand. So, I do. I get up and walk over to the filing cabinet, rifling through the folders with no intention other than to do something with my hands. I take one out and open it, pretending to read it, and then I put it back. As I close the steel drawer, I glance over at Hunter, still sitting there, looking cool and casual and smirking at me.
“I have more good news,” I state from the center of the room. “Your game worked. Last night, Branson asked me to spend Christmas Eve with him.”
Hunter grimaces with a nod and lifts his cup up, as if to cheers. “Congratulations.”
I rub my hands together. “Yeah. And this time, it’s most definitely not in the boss-underling scenario. He wants to spend the day as friends.”
“That definitely means he wants to start seeing you as more.”
“Agreed,” I state rather breathlessly. “I’m nervous though. I shouldn’t be because it’s everything I’ve wanted. Why am I so anxious?”
Slowly, he sets his coffee cup on the desk and rises from the seat. With purposeful strides, he walks up to me and places his hands on my arms gently and yet with a strength that grounds me. My heart calms, and my body simmers.
“You’re overworked. Overtired. And over-caffeinated. You need a break.”
“I don’t have time for a break.”
“Of course you do. The boss is out. You’re done with your presentation—for now—and I know for a fact that there is absolutely nothing on your daily list of requirements that you haven’t tackled already. But you’re not a slacker, so why don’t you meet me in the lobby at three o’clock, and we’ll do something fun?”
“Three’s a bit early.”
“Just do it,” he groans.
“Does fun include food? Because I have a great place—”
“You picked the restaurant last time. Tonight, it’s my turn.”
“Fine,” I agree with a grumble.
Hunter pats my arm and steps back, walking toward the door. He’s halfway out when he turns and asks, “Did you happen to wear your snow boots to work?”
I glance under my desk, where my boots are sitting. “I did.”
“Good. Don’t be late.”
As he walks out, I take my seat back at my desk, wondering what kind of activity Hunter has up his sleeve for us today.
On the east side of Central Park is a scenic area overlooking a large pond. At the top of the hill is a statue of a Pilgrim. I’ve been here before, in the spring for picnics with Sofia and to walk to the Boathouse restaurant and Bethesda Fountain.
Today, as I stand on the hill with the setting sun in the backdrop, I can’t help but be surprised by the number of children on the snow-covered hill, all carrying sleds.
All around us, school-aged children to adults and grandparents are gathered on their sleds and careening down the steep incline. One child flies down on a disk-shaped sled while another plows through on a traditional-looking one.
“Sledding?” I state in disbelief. “This is how you unwind and have fun?”
Hunter grins as he lifts the shopping bag in his hand.
When I met him in the lobby, he was there, having changed into a pair of jeans and construction boots with his winter coat zippered up. In his hands was a rather large brown bag, which he refused to tell me what was inside. Begrudgingly, albeit excitedly, I got in the Uber with him, and here we are.
“These are for you,” he states as he hands me a pair of snow pants.
I glance down at what I’m wearing—a pair of black pants.
“Thought you’d be cold.”
I try to see what else is in the bag, but he pulls it