Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 21003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
His adorable daughter pops up beside him with curiosity. “Hi, Ms. Caroline.”
“Hi, Em. Merry Christmas, kiddo.” I pull the small gift I brought for her out of my coat.
“Oh my goodness. You got me a present. Thank you.” She gleams and smiles up at her dad and then back at me. “This is awesome.”
“You don’t even know what it is.”
She tilts her head and smiles knowingly. “It’s book shape and texture. Either it’s a journal or a book, so it’s awesome.”
“Emily, please take their coats, sweetheart. You can open your gift later with your mom around so she can see it too. She loves watching you open presents.” Dr. Lee turns to us and says, “This is our only child, Emily, so she’s a bit spoiled.”
“May I,” she asks, holding out her hands for jackets.
“And they’re a little heavy,” I say. “I’ve got it.”
“Thank you.”
Parker gives him a bottle of wine with a bow on it. “Wow, this is a great vintage. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Merry Christmas.”
“Oh, Tara, there you are, honey. You remember Caroline, and this is her boyfriend Parker.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Parker. Caroline, it is great to see you again.” She gives me a hug. “I love your dress. Oh my gosh, it’s so pretty.”
“He brought us a bottle of wine, babe, and it’s a nice one. We might have to stash this baby for us,” he says, winking at her.
“Thank you. Some of our guests have already depleted our selection,” she teases.
“I’m so glad you guys could come. So, just so you know, I had to invite Anne as well. She overheard me invite you.”
“I thought she’d left.”
“No, she had forgotten something in the office. And she’s here with her date, Tom. Although, he looks like he went through a war. Apparently he got into a fight with somebody.” I stiffen up really quickly.
Parker’s at my side, holding onto my waist and reading me like a book. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”
I pat his hand that’s resting on my hip. “I’m fine, I’m fine.”
“Let me get you two a drink.”
“Something non-alcoholic, please.”
“Absolutely.” Tara raises her eyebrows and looks right at my belly that is flat. Taking my hand, she drags me away from Parker. “Ooh, do I get juicy gossip?”
“Not that I know of.” I giggle, shaking my head.
“Oh. Just wondering.”
“Well, Parker doesn’t drink either, but we figured there’s going to be some guests consuming wine.”
“Does eggnog work for you?”
“That’s great for me.”
“I’ll take a pop of any kind,” Parker says, coming up behind me and pressing his hand against the small of my back. “Do you usually have Christmas parties?”
“Not big ones like these. Normally it’s just family. However, because we moved into this lovely larger home this summer we wanted to share in our good fortune,” he says.
“It’s wonderful, and your house is gorgeous.” I look at Parker’s face, and he is truly happy until he looks at Tom. We make small talk with some people around us while Anne and Tom avoid us, and I’m grateful for it because we don’t need trouble with our boss. Thomas’s face is completely bruised on one side, and I’m surprised he showed up. He looks like he went several rounds with an MMA fighter.
As the evening goes on, I excuse myself to go to the ladies’ room, and just as I reach the door, Anne stops me. “I’m surprised you showed your face here. I’m sure it’s your fault what happened to Tom.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just as surprised as you are that he looks mangled. Besides, why would I be to blame for the way he looks? I made it clear after our lousy date that I didn’t care to see him again. That should have been the end of it.”
“Yes, but you know it wasn’t.”
“And yet so do you, so that means you knew he was harassing me and yet you still brought him as a date. What kind of person does that make you?”
“Look, he doesn’t like to be rejected. Just apologize and say you made a mistake.”
“I’m not apologizing for shit. It was a terrible date, and then he stalked me, calling me a whore. I don’t know what happened to him, and I don’t care. He’s lucky I didn’t call the cops for what he did to me. I’ve been looking over my shoulder for days. I have all the evidence that he’s been harassing me, so don’t think about coming near me again because I’ll report you too.” I push her and go into the bathroom and lock the door. I really do have to pee. Once I’m done, I cautiously open the door, only to find Parker waiting outside against the wall for me.
“There you are, beautiful.”
“So have you had enough of these people?” I ask.