Snowflakes and Ice Skates: A Holiday Romance Anthology (Utah Fury Hockey)

by Brittney Mulliner

  It was a bit immature and prideful, especially since my family was in a position to help me and not everyone could say that, but my dream was something I needed to do for myself.

  Things had worked out so far. I had an apartment close to the subway with a roommate that didn’t drive me crazy. A job that paid well enough that I didn’t worry about paying rent for my apartment, and I was slowly making friends. Well, Cora...and maybe Matt.

  I missed home, but I wasn’t going to give up. I shook away the thought and went back to organizing the content calendar for the next month.

  I arrived home later than normal, carrying a bag of Thai food for dinner.

  “Holly?” I called as I set the bag on the two-person dinner table.

  “Hey, Taylor.” Her voice came from her bedroom.

  “I got Thai if you’re hungry.” I would never admit it out loud, but I was hoping she would stay home tonight. We hadn’t seen each other for more than a few minutes in the past few weeks, and I was getting bored of staying home alone.

  “No thanks. Brennan is on his way. We’re going to see a new show at the MET.” She paused and looked at the spread on the table. “You can come if you want.”

  I appreciated the pity invite but turned it down like I always did. “You guys have fun. Let me know how it is.”

  She smiled and hurried out the door while slipping on a jacket. “See you later.”

  I locked the door after she left and went back to fill a plate with Pad Thai and Massaman curry before heading to my spot on the couch. I guess it was another date night with Joey, Chandler, and Ross.

  Two

  I was crazy. I knew it, but that was what happened when your only two work friends talked you into things. We were on stage one of recon work: watching. Cora texted me the night I’d told her about Goldie, saying we should show up a bit early and wait to see if he appeared.

  This was the third day I was waiting out in the cold for a glimpse of the man who occupied my thoughts...and dreams.

  It was stalkerish, but it was also our best option. As much as I wanted to give it up and write off the elevator encounter, it was providing a new form of entertainment. A little crush never hurt anyone.

  I sipped my white-chocolate hot cocoa and waited. I forced myself to count out one hundred people who passed before checking my watch. Three minutes had passed.

  “Hey, there.” I lowered my drink and smiled at Cora. Her red hair clashed with her red coat, but I doubt she cared.

  “Aren’t you freezing?”

  I picked up the cup I had sitting next to me and handed it to her.

  “Nope,” I lied.

  She sipped her drink and smiled. “I guess it’s not that bad.” She sat on the bench next to me, and we stared at the entrance in silence.

  I counted another hundred people and checked the time. “Six minutes.”

  “How long are we staying today?”

  I sighed. “Ten.”

  She took another drink and nodded. I scanned the sidewalk in both directions but didn’t see him. This could all be a waste. He could be sitting warmly at his desk by now. Or not even out of bed. There was no way to know.

  Another hundred people.

  “One minute left,” I announced, and Cora nodded in acknowledgment.

  I took the last sip of my drink and took that as my sign. With a final look, I stood up and picked up my purse. “Today is not the day.”

  She stood with me, and we cut through the crowd to the revolving door. “No, this morning is not the morning. There’s still hope at lunch or at the end of the day.”

  “True.” I appreciated her positivity since mine was wearing thin.

  “You seem down. What’s going on?” She hit the elevator button as a crowd formed behind us. I tried to casually look around without seeming like I was looking for anyone or anything specific.

  “Just had another night alone.” The fourth one this week.

  “The roomie was out again?” She sounded surprised. Neither of us understood how Holly could have such an active social life. It exhausted Cora to even think about it.

  The doors opened, and we stepped into the elevator. I hit the eighth-floor button and headed back to the corner so as many people as possible could pack in. “Yeah, and I know she has no obligation to hang out with me, but that’s the reason I wanted a roommate, you know. If I wanted to live alone, I would have found a one-bedroom apartment.”

  Cora laughed. “I’ll trade you anytime; just say the word.”

  I chuckled with her. “Sorry. I know I’m lucky that I basically have the apartment to myself and that I get along with her, but…” I shrugged. “I didn’t think I’d be so lonely in a city of eight million people.”

  “That’s not uncommon, but it would help if you didn’t hole up with your Netflix account every night.”

  The elevator arrived at our floor, and we had to push our way out. Walking into the office, we waved to the receptionist, Mark.

  “Morning, ladies.”

  “Morning,” we echoed.

  “It’s not entirely by choice,” I continued. “I just haven’t made many friends yet. I’m sure it will get better.” I didn’t want to sound too pathetic, and I really didn’t want to guilt her into a pity date.

  “Yes, you definitely need to get out of your comfort zone.”

  I nodded as we zigzagged our way through the maze of tables and desks to the marketing department.

  “You could start by finding and talking to Goldie.”

  I cringed and move past the whiteboard wall to my desk. “That could take all day.”

  She shrugged. “Half the office is gone this week. Matt should be grateful we showed up at all.”

  That was partially true. It was the week between Christmas and New Year’s, and our floor was a ghost town. Most people took this time off to be with family, but those of us that didn’t have family nearby or the means to take off a week of work were still here, holding things together.

  “We know he’s here, so now is really the best time to try to find him. There are fewer people to sort through.”

  “Huh. Good point.”

  She beamed. “I know. We can come up with some excuses for you to look around.”

  That wouldn’t be too hard. Especially if I mentioned I was running an errand for Matt. It was believable, since his assistant, Peter, was out of town.

  “Here. Take this up to the sales floor for approval from Gary. It’s the new backdrop for the tradeshow booth.” She handed me a folder, and I opened it, part of me doubting there was even anything in there. But sure enough, the papers were there.

  Good, a real task.

  “Thanks.” She moved past me to her desk, while I set the folder down next to my laptop and tried to get some actual work done.

  I tried to focus on the pages of content I was supposed to be editing, but my mind was wandering. This crush was bordering on ridiculous. Sure, it provided a few of us with entertainment, but at some point, I needed to get over it.

  If I didn’t find him today, I would move on.

  That was reasonable. I’d give it my all for the rest of the day; then if it wasn’t meant to be, I’d accept it and move on.

  I didn’t want to tell Matt or Cora though. They’d encourage me to keep trying, but I had to accept my pathetic state of loneliness and move on. After an hour of looking busy, I stood and picked up the file.

  Cora looked up and winked. I made my way to the elevators and smoothed my hair and checked my makeup in the reflection. When I got in, I pressed the button for the tenth floor. My heart raced as the elevator rose. When the doors opened, I waved to the receptionist. I was pretty sure his name was Kenneth, but I didn't want to make a mistake. Luckily, he seemed to recognize me and didn’t question me as I walked past him.

  I scanned the area, looking for the brown hair I’d memorized. There were maybe a dozen people on this floor, and none of them were Goldie. Undeterred, I sauntered to the corner office and knocked
on Gary’s door.

  “Come in.”

  I pushed on the glass door and pasted on a smile. “Hi, Gary. I’ve got the new backdrop for your approval.” He didn’t look up from his computer, so I set the folder on his desk. I was going to walk out when he slid the folder closer.

  He looked up and sighed. “Sorry, Taylor. I’m trying to wrap up the yearly numbers and something isn’t adding up.”

  I appreciated that he was one of the few higher-up managers that took the time to get to know everyone’s name. I felt bad that he was having trouble, but numbers and sales were far out of my repertoire.

  “I’m sorry. I wish I could help; maybe I can send up—”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll get it figured out.” He opened the folder and smiled for the first time. “This is amazing. Tell Cora it’s perfect and I appreciate her making the changes I requested.”

  “Of course.” I stepped back and turned.

  “Oh, and Taylor?”

  I glanced over as I pulled open the door. “Yeah?”

  “Have a happy New Year.”

  I couldn’t fight my grin. “Thanks, you too.”

  As I walked back to the elevators, I looked around, going slower than normal. I thought he would be here. I really did. I was hoping fate would step in and reunite us. It was silly, but after thinking about him all day yesterday and last night, I hoped for amazing things.

  There were a handful of companies in this building, but mine was the largest. We occupied four of the eleven floors, and since he didn’t get off before me, there was a strong probability he worked for us too.

  He seemed to be more outgoing than the other people I knew from the software development team. They tended to keep to themselves, and I doubted they’d catch me as he had.

  With a sigh, I pressed the down button and waited to relive the disappointing discovery to Matt and Cora.

  I stepped into the elevator and frowned when we only went down one floor. The doors opened, and two guys and a woman walked in. I froze against the back wall, unable to speak.

  There he was.

  “You’re right. The new UI isn’t ready. We need to fix the bugs before we release, but we only have three days.” A short man with curly brown hair and thick glasses was looking up at Goldie with concerned eyes.

  “I know. I thought the sales team would be more interested in selling a product that functions, but they only care about the new release.” He sighed, and I almost died. His voice was like velvet but authoritative. He knew what he was talking about; I could tell by his confidence. “If they didn’t overpromise and give prospects ridiculous dates and horrible expectations, we wouldn’t be in this mess. I doubt we’ll get this finished by the first, which means more all-nighters.”

  The petite woman with the black pixie-cut groaned. “I can’t stay here all night again. Last night was miserable.”

  Ah ha. So that’s why I hadn’t seen him this morning. He never left last night.

  “I know. I don’t want to either, but we need to get this finished.”

  The elevator doors opened on my floor, and it was the first time they realized they weren’t alone. Goldie stepped to the side. His clean, lemony scent hit me, and I inhaled deeply, feeling a bit dazed.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to block you,” he said.

  I forced a smile, one I hoped didn’t come across as creepy or overeager. “No problem.”

  I hesitated at the door, waiting for him to recognize me. When he didn’t I searched for something to say. I didn't have any input over our product releases, but I wanted to let them know their work wasn’t wasted. “I can’t believe you guys had to stay overnight. I know it’s tough right now, but your work shows. The app is better than it’s ever been.”

  I smiled as the doors started to close, watching Goldie as a slow smile crept onto his lips.

  “Thanks. At least one person appreciates us,” the woman said with a sigh.

  I stood there facing the elevators long after the doors closed.

  That was it. I’d found him...and learned much more than I could have expected.

  I rushed to Cora’s desk, ready to spill it all.

  Three

  “I saw him!” I whisper-yelled as I leaned over Cora’s desk.

  She slid off her red-framed glasses. “Where?”

  “In the elevator.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Great, so we still don’t know what floor he works on.”

  I fidgeted, looking around to make sure no one was eavesdropping. “No, he was with some people from his team. He’s a UX designer, so he’s in the product design department!”

  Her mouth dropped open slightly. “You found all of that out?”

  I nodded, glad she was impressed with my sleuthing skills. Not that it took much sleuthing to be a fly on a wall, but I wasn’t going to say that. “They were complaining about having to pull an all-nighter to get the app to where the sales team wants it.”

  She looked down, slowly nodding as she put all the pieces together. “That department of the engineering team isn’t huge. I bet we could ask who’s on the design team.”

  “Yes!”

  “What’s going on?” Matt slid up next to me, his eyes darting between me and Cora.

  “We need to find out who is on the product design team.”

  Matt’s eyes widened. “You’ve narrowed it down?”

  “Yeah, I’m positive.”

  He walked into his office and reappeared a few moments later with his laptop open. “I just sent their director, Jake, a message.”

  I held my breath as I watched the three little bubbles that indicated Jake was typing.

  “We’ve got Allen, Milly, Travis, Lane, and Hayden.” Matt glanced up. “Any of those ring a bell?”

  I frowned. “No.”

  Cora waved me off. “I already texted their team’s assistant. He said the team usually eats lunch on the second floor. There are a few lounge areas that are always available.”

  I smiled at her, ready to reach over and kiss her forehead for being so brilliant.

  “So I guess I know where to find you two during lunch,” Matt said with a chuckle. “Report back later.”

  “I can’t believe it. We actually figured it out.” I couldn't stop smiling even though my cheeks were starting to ache.

  “Next step, talking to him.” Cora waggled her eyebrows.

  I was so hyped about solving the mystery that I forgot about that little detail. Goldie had become such a far-fetched figure in my mind that I never really thought about what would happen when we figured out who he was. I was going to have to introduce myself and actually have a real conversation with him. He could be horrible, or annoying, or have irritating habits that completely turned me off. I never considered any alternatives other than us falling madly in love with each other and living happily ever after.

  Well, that could still happen, as long as I didn’t completely freak out and ruin my chance.

  I blew out a breath. “How about you scope him out for me and let me know what you think?”

  She laughed once and then shook her head. “Nope. Not a chance. I’ll go with and be back up if you need me, but this is all you.”

  I groaned. “What if I embarrass myself?”

  “You probably will.” She grinned. “But if he’s interested in you, then he’ll find it charming.”

  I cringed. “Wonderful. Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

  She shrugged. “It’s going to be fine. It’s not like you’re going to walk up to him, introduce yourself, and immediately propose marriage. Right?”

  I ignored her teasing. “I should probably start by finding out if he’s even single.”

  “Yeah, that’s a good starting point.”

  I sighed. “He’s probably not. I mean, guys like him just aren’t available. He’s probably got a beautiful girlfriend or wife.” I scrunch my nose at the thought.

  “Hey! No being negative. We’ve got to go into this as if we’ve already
won, okay?”

  I appreciated the pep talk. “Thanks. I should probably get some real work done now. Let me know when you want to head downstairs.”

  I went back to my desk and opened my laptop—as if my brain would be able to focus on anything other than counting down the seconds until it was lunchtime. I was beyond excited, ecstatic even, that we’d figured out what team Goldie was on. This was a huge step forward, but it also made it real.

  For the past few days, he’d been a fun distraction. A crush, but not a real one. More like the love you had for your favorite boy band growing up. You loved their image, their projected persona, but you didn't really know them, and it didn’t matter. It was just fun to have a favorite to talk about with your friends. I wasn’t playing MASH or writing my first name with his last name, mostly because I didn't know it, but so far this had just been fun.

  Now it was real.

  I’d spoken to him. I’d complimented him.

  He’d smiled at me.

  For a moment, as short as it may have been, he knew who I was…not my name or anything, but his attention was focused on me.

  That wasn’t nothing.

  Would he recognize me when we saw him? Would he think it was weird that he’d seen me in the elevator and again in the place he normally ate lunch? Cora and I usually went to a deli or cafe close by, if we took lunch at all. I’d heard some people gathered on the chairs and couches on the vacant second floor, but I’d never ventured down.

  He was going to think I was stalking him.

  Great.

  I pulled up the marketing content calendar and made sure we were set for the rest of the week and through the holiday. I’d already set up our posts to automatically go out so that none of us would have to work on New Year’s Eve or the following day. That was a nice part of our job, that we could relax on holidays. The rest of the departments had to be on call and check on the app even on their days off.

  I triple-checked and then quadruple-proofread an email that would be sent out to our customers wishing them a Happy New Year. I knew it was fine, but it was something to make me look busy.