by Lydia Rose
“No.”
Mary looked closely at her sister. “But you like someone?” She jumped off the bed and grabbed her sister’s arms. “Who is it?”
Alexandra felt the blush as it began to rise from her neck to her face. “My boss.”
“You like your boss? The doctor?”
Alexandra nodded bashfully. “Yeah, but it doesn’t matter.”
“Why?”
“Because she’s my boss. I can’t ask my boss out on a date.”
“I assume she’s gay too?” Alexandra nodded. “Does she like you?”
“As an employee. We did go out for hamburgers one night and another night with her friend Natalie.”
“Does she go out with the rest of her staff?” Mary asked.
Alexandra thought. In the few months she was there, she never heard Helen or Callie say they went to dinner with Rachel. “I don’t know.”
“Then she must like you too.” Mary insisted.
“No. Maybe she feels sorry for me since I’m alone?” Alexandra frowned. Great. Rachel thinks I’m a loser.
“I wouldn’t be too sure about that.” Mary went back to lying on the bed. “Is she pretty?”
Alexandra rolled her eyes. “She is beautiful and way out of my league.”
“You’re beautiful too, Alexandra. You’ve always been, but this new you is unbelievable. If we were on the street, I might walk past you because I wouldn’t recognize you.”
Alexandra smiled. “Thanks, Mary.”
“But you know this could get messy if you two get involved? I mean you and your boss.”
“I know, and that’s why I think both of us are not admitting how we feel.”
Mary smiled. “You could always find another job and then ask her out. This way if it doesn’t work out, there won’t be any awkwardness.”
“I’ve thought about that too, but I like working where I am.”
“Then you’ll just have to keep Rachel as your friend.”
“I know,” Alexandra said softly.
“Girls,” their mother screamed up the stairs, “are you coming back downstairs?”
The girls looked at each other and laughed. “We’ve been summoned,” Alexandra said, taking Mary’s arm.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Thanksgiving Day had the house filled with family and friends. Alexandra greeted all the people she hadn’t seen in so long. Her cousin Tracy pulled her to the side after dinner.
“So, do you just love California?” Tracy asked grinning.
“I do, Tracy. The weather is beautiful most of the time,” Alexandra answered.
“I’m thinking of moving out there,” Tracy admitted. “Can I stay with you while I look for a job?”
“Tracy, I live in a small one bedroom apartment.”
“That’s okay. I’ll sleep on the sofa. I want to get out of New Jersey.”
“What are you looking to do?” Alexandra asked the twenty-two year old.
“I want to be a screenwriter.”
Alexandra rolled her eyes. “That is just as hard as trying to be an actor.”
“I know that. I’ll take whatever job I can to pay the bills, while I try to break into the business.”
Alexandra grinned. “You’ve thought about this for a long time?”
“All my life, Alex. Please say yes.”
Alexandra caved. “As long as you have your parents’ blessing.”
“They know I am determined to do this, but they wouldn’t let me go out there unless you agreed to take me in. They don’t want me out there alone.”
“You don’t plan on driving out to California alone?”
“No. My Mom and Dad are going to go with me and then they’ll fly home.”
“So when can I expect you?”
“After Christmas,” Tracy said wearing a wide smile.
“Call me when you all are on the way.”
Tracy wrapped her arms around Alexandra. “Thank you, Alex. Thank you.”
Alexandra knew Tracy’s dream was just that, a dream, but she knew Tracy had to at least give it a chance.
At ten o’clock everyone had left with the exception of Mary and her family.
“I’m exhausted,” her mother said as she sat in a chair.
“You should be. You’ve been working for days getting this get-together ready,” Mary said, putting her head back. “What are we doing tomorrow?”
“I’m not going shopping if that’s what you’re thinking,” Alexandra said waving her hands.
“No. I’m too tired for that.” Mary sat up. “How about you and I go to lunch and see a movie?” Mary saw the look on her mother’s face. “You can come too, Mom.”
“Thank you,” Mom said smiling.
“Sure. Is Richard working?” Alexandra asked her sister.
“No, he’s off. Richard is going Christmas shopping.”
“You’re kidding?” Alexandra asked.
“No. He’s crazy like that,” Mary said with a shrug.
“What about Dad?” Alexandra asked her mother.
“Your father will lay on the couch all day watching TV. The refrigerator is filled with food.” She began to chuckle. “He’ll be fine.”
*
Saturday evening came much too quickly for the Angelo family. Everyone was teary eyed as they kissed Alexandra good bye.
“You know, you all can come out and visit me too,” Alexandra said as her mother hugged her tightly.
“Maybe this summer we can all come out,” Mom said, finally releasing Alexandra.
“I will look forward to that,” Alexandra said with one more hug to everyone.
Alexandra tried to sleep on the flight back to California, but the plane was crowded and noisy. She reached for her earbuds and listened to music trying to drown out her surroundings.
Suitcase in hand, Alexandra walked out the doors of the airport tired and hungry. Her hand was about to come up in a wave for a cab when she saw Rachel standing there. “Rachel, are you here picking up someone?” Alexandra asked, looking around.
“Yes. You.” She answered with a smile.
“Me. Why would you do that?” Alexandra asked as Rachel took her suitcase out of her hand.
“I didn’t want you to have to take cab at this time of the night. Are you hungry?” Rachel asked as Alexandra’s stomach growled at the sound of food. “I assume that’s a yes.” Rachel opened her trunk and stored the suitcase. “I picked you up a sandwich on my way here.” Rachel opened the passenger door for her. “This way you’ll have something to eat when you get home.” Rachel pulled away from the curb.
“I can’t believe you’re here.”
“Why not?” Rachel asked softly.
“Because you’re my boss,” Alexandra said just as softly.
“Alex, we’re friends. Outside of work I am not your boss. Okay?” She patted Alexandra’s hand.
Alexandra just nodded, not believing this had just happened, but she remembered Mary’s words. That could get messy.
At the apartment, Rachel got out of the car and retrieved the suitcase and sandwich.
“Would you like to come upstairs? I could make coffee for you while I eat,” Alexandra asked before she could talk herself out of asking.
“Okay,” Rachel said, following Alexandra into the building.
Alexandra unlocked the door and turned on the lights. Rachel set the suitcase down and followed her to the kitchen area.
“I can make the coffee while you sit down and eat.” Rachel shrugged out of her jacket.
“The coffee is above the coffee maker,” Alexandra said, sitting at the table.
Rachel asked where the mugs and plates were and Alexandra pointed to the cabinets. She placed a plate in front of Alexandra with a napkin.
“Eat, Alex. You must be starving.”
“I am,” Alexandra said, opening the bag and removing the paper. “Would you like to share?”
“I’ve already eaten.” Rachel returned with Alexandra’s coffee and went back for her own cup.
Once she had her cup, she sat down next to Alexandra. “So how was your Thanksgiving?”
“Wonderful,” Alexandra said after she swallowed the bite of sandwich. “My cousin is going to be moving in with me after Christmas.”
Rachel looked around the small apartment. “Do you have room?”
Alexandra pointed to the couch. “That will be her bed for the time being.”
“Don’t tell me she wants to be an actor?”
“Worse.” Alexandra took a sip of coffee before continuing. “A screenwriter.”
Rachel looked at Alexandra. “I know some people in the industry. As a matter of fact, people at the studios.”
“Oh, Rachel, don’t tell Tracy that. She’ll nag you until you introduce her to someone.”
Rachel smiled. “Maybe she can give me something she’s written and I can pass it along.”
Alexandra grinned. “Tracy is going to fall in love with you.”
Rachel raised her eyebrow.
Alexandra chuckled. “She’s not gay or anything. I mean if you do that for her, she’s going to love you.”
“How old is she?”
“Twenty-two.”
“Too young for me anyway,” Rachel said giggling.
“This sandwich just hit the spot. I can’t thank you enough for saving me from taking a cab tonight.” Alexandra glanced at Rachel who was grinning from ear to ear.
“I’m glad I could be of service.” Rachel picked up her empty coffee cup and went to the sink.
“How was your Thanksgiving?” Alexandra asked, not wanting Rachel to run off.
Rachel stood against the counter drying the cup. “Too much food, too much family.”
“Don’t you get along with your family?”
Rachel’s shoulders raised in a shrug. “We get along if it’s in small doses.” Rachel put the towel down and returned the cup to the cupboard. “I know you must be dead on your feet.” She reached for her jacket.
Alexandra stood up and followed Rachel to the door. “Thanks again, Rachel.”
Rachel turned and smiled. “It was my pleasure.” She gave Alexandra a hug. “Welcome home.”
“See you on Monday,” Alexandra said before she closed the door. She picked up her suitcase and went into the bedroom. It’s going to be hard staying her friend if she keeps doing kind things like this.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The night of the office Christmas party, Alexandra felt anxious. She wondered if everyone would like the gifts she bought for the staff and her boss. Carrying in the boxes from her car, she knew it was too late to change anything. The party was taking place at Rachel’s house and that also made her anxious, but she knew this time Callie was not going to get her drunk. She walked up to Rachel’s door carrying her gifts.
Helen opened the door. “Alexandra, come on in,” she said with a hug.
“Thanks.” Alexandra stepped into the room and put her boxes under the tree before taking off her coat. “The tree looks nice,” she said to Rachel as she walked into the room and handed her a glass.
“Thank you.” Alexandra looked at the glass without reaching for it. “It’s nonalcoholic,” Rachel said with a wink.
Alexandra mouthed thank you before taking the glass. Callie came into the room and hugged Alexandra.
“Oh, I see you already have a drink,” she said, disappointed.
Rachel had catered the dinner and the women milled around picking at the food and talking.
“So are you looking forward to your cousin moving in with you?” Helen asked Alexandra.
“It will be nice to have company,” she said with a smile, and glanced at Rachel. “It can get lonely sometimes.”
“You can call me anytime you are bored.” Helen offered.
“Thanks, Helen.”
“Let’s open the gifts.” Rachel reached for the gifts she had for her staff. She handed each of them a small box and waited for their reaction.
Callie was the first to get into the box. “Rachel, this is beautiful,” she said taking the gold heart with a diamond in the center.
As the other two women opened the box, they found a similar gift. The hearts were all different, but all beautiful. Each woman put the necklace on and went to the mirror to see how it looked.
Helen went up to Rachel and hugged her. “You are the most generous boss I’ve ever worked for.”
Rachel chuckled. “I’m the only boss you’ve ever worked for.”
Callie hugged Rachel next. “Thank you, boss.”
“You are welcome.”
Alexandra was next and she moved close to Rachel and reached for a hug. As their bodies touched, she whispered in Rachel’s ear. “You are just full of surprises.”
“Thank you. I’ll take that as a compliment.” Rachel released Alexandra.
“Now us,” Callie said.
When it came time for Alexandra to give out her gifts, she went to Helen first. Inside an envelope were tickets to a Christmas show at the Hollywood Bowl.
“Oh, Alex. This is the perfect gift for me. Thank you,” Helen said, squeezing Alexandra close.
Alexandra handed her gift to Callie. Her eyes opened wide as she looked at the tickets in the box. “I tried to get tickets to this concert, but they were sold out.”
Alexandra smiled. “I know someone who knows someone.” She smiled as Callie jumped into her arms.
“Thank you so much, Alex.” Callie stared at the tickets.
Alexandra got up and handed Rachel her gift. Their eyes met before she began to rip the paper. Rachel looked at her with tears in her eyes. “You told me once that you wished your cooking skills were better. I hope you enjoy the classes.”
“Thank you, Alex. This is perfect,” she said, wrapping one arm around Alexandra and pulling her close. “You’ll have to be my taster after my classes,” she said looking into Alexandra’s eyes. Then she looked up. “All of you.”
Helen and Callie left at ten. Alexandra offered to help clean up. She touched the necklace. “Thank you again for my gift.”
“And I love mine too.” Rachel smiled. “Maybe next year I won’t have to cater this party.”
When it came time to say good night, Rachel walked her to the door. “Thanks again for my gift and helping clean up.”
“It’s the least I could do for someone who picks me up at the airport on a Saturday night.”
“I wasn’t doing anything anyway and I missed you.” Rachel admitted with a smile.
Alexandra wanted to say she missed her too, but she knew it would be a mistake. “Thanks again.”
Rachel reached for Alexandra and pulled her close. “Enjoy your weekend.”
Alexandra nodded and left.
On December 23rd, Alexandra, as usual, was still in the office working as her co-workers went home to start celebrating. Rachel walked out of her office.
“What are you still doing here?” Rachel asked with a laugh.
“Just finished up,” Alexandra said, closing her computer.
“So what are you doing for Christmas Eve?”
“Sitting in front of the TV and watching The Holiday and Love Actually. My two favorite Christmas movies.”
“I don’t think I’ve seen either one.” Rachel smiled.
“If you’re doing nothing, you could come over and watch with me,” Alexandra said, putting on her coat.
“How about I bring over Chinese food and we can pig out in front of the TV?”
“Sounds good,” Alexandra said not meeting her eyes. “How about four o’clock?”
Rachel smiled. “See you then. Drive safe,” she added, before Alexandra was out the door.
This could get messy. Her head repeated over and over.
Inside Rachel was berating herself too. “What are you doing?” she asked the empty room.
*
At four o’clock, Alexandra’s doorbell rang. “Hi, Rachel. Come on inside.”
“Thanks,” Rachel said walking in the door. She had spent a half hour on the ph
one with Natalie explaining why she wasn’t going to spend Christmas Eve with her.
“I thought you said you couldn’t get involved with her because she was your employee?” Natalie asked.
“I’m not involved with her. We’re just friends.”
“We always spend Christmas Eve together eating Chinese food and watching movies together.”
“Not every year,” Rachel insisted.
“Most years, and now I’ll have to go to my parents’ house.”
Rachel laughed. “You love your parents.”
“Yes, but I didn’t plan on spending two days with them.”
“You’ll live,” Rachel said with a roll of her eyes.
“Call me tomorrow.”
“I will, Nat. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, Traitor.”
Alexandra took the bag from Rachel. “Plates or containers?”
“Containers, of course, but I want a fork. I never did master eating with chopsticks.”
“Me either.” Alexandra went to the kitchen and grabbed two forks and napkins. “What do you want to drink?” Alexandra asked, seeing Rachel standing there.
“Whatever you have.” Rachel answered.
“I have wine if you’re interested?” Alexandra said, showing her the bottle.
“Oh, nice choice.” Rachel took the bottle and the opener that Alexandra handed to her.
Once they were settled on the couch, Alexandra started the first movie.
“You’ve got a nice setup here,” Rachel said seeing the large flat screen TV and sound system.
Alexandra shrugged. “It’s my biggest vice. I love movies.”
The film started and they both began to eat and watch. The cartons of food went back and forth as they shared the meal.
Rachel handed Alexandra the fortune cookie. “Open it.”
Alexandra broke the cookie and pulled the fortune from its hiding place. “The new year will bring you joy and happiness. Open yours.”
Rachel pulled out the paper and nearly choked on what the fortune said.
“Read it out loud,” Alexandra said.
“Love is only a heartbeat away,” Rachel said, not meeting Alexandra’s gaze.
“Looks like we’re both going to have a great new year,” Alexandra said, returning her eyes to the screen. Wanting to change the subject, she asked, “What do you think of the movie so far?”