MYA
I look at my outfit in the mirror. A wolf whistle from the door breaks into my thoughts. Ariana leans against the doorframe and points up and down my outfit.
“You look like a femme fatale in one of those old movies.”
“Do I?”
I look at the dress again and then I can see it. It’s the perfect shade of Christmas red with a wrap style that emphasizes my hourglass figure. This glass has a little more sand on the bottom half than I’d like (if you know what I mean) but the dress manages to hide all the lumps, bumps and cellulite that have multiplied on my hips and thighs over the years.
It’s a magical dress obviously.
A Christmas miracle!
“Thanks, Ari.”
It may not seem like that big of a deal but having the perfect outfit to wear when I do an important presentation at work gives me a major confidence boost. I’ve been working on a kickass campaign for a local jeweler for the past few months and now it’s finally ready to be unveiled.
She smiles. “Good luck today. Not that you need it.”
After she leaves, I let out a big sigh. She’s right. I don’t need luck but I won’t turn it away. For the first time in ages, everything seems to be going my way and it’s given me a major boost in my Christmas spirit.
This is my favorite time of year but something about this year is different. It feels like possibility is in the air and anything can happen. I even baked cupcakes for everyone in the office. I decorated them with a variety of holiday themes. Some had red and green icing. There was a chocolate one with truffle pieces sticking out that looked like reindeer antlers. My favorite was the sweet vanilla cream topped with candy cane sprinkles.
Everyone in the office loved my Christmas cupcakes.
Including the new guy.
Milo.
He’d even stopped by my office at the end of the day to ask if I had any more stashed away. Not that it’s unusual for him to stop by my office. Lately he’s been poking his head in randomly to chat or ask my advice. I’ve noticed that we even get our second cup of coffee around the same time each afternoon.
Is it coincidence that he shows up in the break room at the same time I do so often?
When I catch myself grinning like a fool, I pinch my arm. I shouldn’t be this happy about talking to a coworker. The one thing I’ve never done is get involved with anyone I work with. The cutie with the blue eyes is completely off-limits. He’s my competition.
But why does he have to be so handsome?
Resolved to put it out of my mind, I step into my favorite pair of sparkly heels. When I walk into the living room, Ariana has changed into her scrubs. She must be going in to work, too.
“I thought you were working the night shift for the next few weeks?”
Ariana pulls her long blond hair up into a messy bun.
“I was but one of the other girls asked me to switch this week.”
“Doesn’t that mean you’ll have to work night shift on Christmas?”
She sighs. “Yeah. But I don’t mind. She has kids. This way she can be at home with her family on Christmas morning.”
If she wasn’t allergic to affection, I’d give her a hug. She works part-time with an agency and pitches in to work variable shifts wherever she’s needed. It’s not uncommon at all for her to take the shifts no one else wants.
“Careful, bestie. Keep being selfless and people might start thinking you have a heart.”
She curls her lip distastefully. “Bite your tongue.”
