The Christmas Secret Read online

  I pulled open my desk drawer, slipped my hands over paper clips, pens, and sticky notes, trying to find an antacid. The sushi I’d consumed for lunch wasn’t sitting well, my stomach rebelling. I also felt incredibly hot.

  Serves you right for shoving your dick into forbidden territory.

  I pushed a button on my intercom. “Zachary, got any Pepto? Or something along that line?”

  “Sure thing,” said a booming voice. “Be right in with it.”

  A few minutes later, my best friend and secretary strolled into my office chewing on the end of a pen.

  He handed me two pink tablets wrapped in cellophane. “Here you go. Oh, man, you look like shit.”

  “Thanks.”

  “No, really. You sick or something?”

  Chapter Three

  Abby

  “I...I KISSED CHASE,” I blurted out while Charlotte’s back was turned. She did not need to know the details of what came next.

  “Oh,” she said matter-of-factly. She was sorting through clothes in one of my smaller closets. The one for dresses. I also had one just for shoes. And suits, casual beach clothes, and even one for pajamas.

  “I didn’t mean to, but, it just...happened.” I slid my fingers along my bottom lip, recalling the taste of Chase’s tongue.

  “Just happened,” echoed Charlotte. She whirled around and stared at me, brows raised. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

  “What? Are you kidding me? Bad! Definitely bad. I divorced him, remember?”

  “Know what I remember? Telling you to think before you signed those papers. That’s what I remember.”

  “Well, I did sign them, and I’m actually doing pretty good these days. Don’t you think?”

  “So you thought getting naked with the guy was okay because you’re over him?”

  “Yes. No. I told you. It just happened, and it’s never going to happen again”

  “Keep telling yourself that. But, hey, at least you know where the milk came from.”

  “You serious? I can’t be playing around with my boss, even if he is my ex-husband.”

  “Have you thought any more about transferring to another department? Another location, perhaps?”

  I had thought about it. A lot. Forced with losing all the friends I’d made at Remington’s, the apartment I loved, the walks I cherished along the beach of Lake Ontario, and yes, not hanging out with Charlotte any time I wanted, seemed as overwhelming a reason to stay as it did anything else.

  “I refuse to upend my life because of Chase.”

  “Okay, good.”

  “Good? Didn’t you tell me yesterday it was a good idea to move? That I needed a clean slate.”

  “Sure, but you can’t fault a girl for wanting to keep her bestie, now, can you?”

  I smiled. Having Charlotte around did make life easier. She was almost as good as a boyfriend. I dreaded the day some guy swept her off her feet.

  “So about the Christmas party...” Charlotte said.

  “I’m not going.”

  “The way I see it, you don’t have a choice.” She snapped up several hangers, pulled off a few dresses, and threw them on the bed. “I’m not seeing anything suitable unless we can jazz up one of these with some jewelry.”

  “I told you, I’m not going to the Christmas party. End of discussion.”

  I couldn’t tell my best friend that if I showed up at that party and saw Chase with someone else, it would destroy me. I could not look him in the eye, let alone make small talk with business associates. Not after last night.

  “Abby, we go every year, and I heard they’re giving our bonus checks out at the party. Anyone who doesn’t go...”

  “Don’t give me that crap. I’ll get my bonus check whether I’m at the Christmas party or not. You really think they want to lose me over a few grand? Pu-lease.”

  She held up a black and red A-line dress with Santa and his reindeer, and Christmas trees all over the hem. “Nope,” I said.

  “No, you don’t like the dress, or no, you’re still not going?”

  I let out a sigh of frustration. “Why do we go to this thing every year anyway? We’re not sixteen anymore, and we don’t even drink. Much.”

  “It’s fun. All that food. The dancing. The silly things people wear. We always go. How about this?” She held up a sharp, black jacket with green brocade, and matching pants.

  “God, no. I wore that to my aunt’s funeral.”

  “Oh yeah, I forgot.” She slid the doors open to my walk in closet and took out a pair of shoes.

  “I also hate making small talk with all these busy bodies at work,” I complained. “All I ever hear is ‘oh, Abby, I’m so sorry. Oh, Abby, I thought you made such a cute couple.’ Why can’t they mind their own business?”

  Charlotte was still rummaging through my closet for something appropriate to a costume party. She was a whizz with fashion and figured if I didn’t have the right outfit she could put something together. I, however thought it was a lost cause.

  “Maybe I’m going about this all wrong. We should check out the shoes first.” She held up a pair of patent leather spiked heels, open-toed. They’d been a gift from Chase, and I’d never worn them outside of our bedroom, but I wasn’t telling Charlotte that.

  “No way.”

  “What! These would be spectacular with the right dress.” She swung them from one finger.

  “I don’t need a dress for a party I’m not attending.”

  “You are impossible. Is this about Chase?” She looked at me dead-on. “There something you’re not telling me? Did he make you cry again?”

  “What? No! And it’s not about Chase anyway.”

  “Prove it.”

  “How?”

  “I’ll set you up with a date, that’s how.”

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  “Nope, if you’re serious about moving on without ole lover boy, the quickest way to do that is with another man.”

  When I started to object, she held her hands, palms out. “Now just hear me my idea before you say no.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Fine.” I slumped down on the bed. I hated to admit that she was right, but did I really want to start dating again this soon? It was probably as good an idea for me as it would be for Chase. Judging by our recent encounter, he still thought I was available.

  I sighed unhappily. Would Chase care if I was dating again? I was still such a mess after the divorce, but I didn’t want him to know. Still angry too. He’d ripped out my heart. I wanted to hurt him back in the worst way, but I was not that vindictive person.

  Charlotte plopped down beside me. My four poster bed sunk under her slight weight. Note to self, I need to get rid of this bed, no matter how much I love it. It has too many damn memories.

  “Okay, here’s the best part,” Charlotte said, placing an arm around my shoulder. “This year the party is a masquerade, so you won’t have to worry about hurting anyone’s feelings.”

  I started to protest. How dare she put words to the sick feelings in my gut.

  “We can get all dolled up. No one will know who we are. Won’t that be the cat’s meow?”

  I giggled. “What?”

  Charlotte could always make me laugh even in the worst of times.

  “I’m getting into character,” she said, wriggling her hips. “I think I’ll dress as a flapper from the 1920s. I have to find my costume though. Ooh, I’m so excited for this party!” She bounced up and down on the bed.

  I let out a shaky breath. I wasn’t excited. Not in the least. In fact, I was downright terrified, but the masquerade thing sounded doable, even for me. As long as she didn’t make me take a date.

  “And I’m not making you take a date,” she continued, reading my mind like the best bestie on the planet. “Cuz I know for a fact, you’re not ready to go there.”

  “You are so right.”

  “We’ll go together. Just like we used to before... You know.” She tipped her head toward a weddi
ng picture on a shelf. “Speaking of such...” She reached over and turned the photo glass side down. “You’ll never move past all this, if you look at that picture every day.”

  “But I looked sooo good in that dress.”

  “You’ll look even better in the one I pick out for you. Ooh, this is going to be such fun!”

  I glanced down at the clothes strewn all over my bed. There was no way Chase wouldn’t recognize me if I wore something I already owned. Most of my clothing he picked out himself. He loved taking me shopping and showing me off. Money had been no object, and while most men hated shopping—especially for women’s clothes, makeup, and shoes—Chase actually got a kick out of it. He’d tell me jokes and make them order us pizza or pour us wine, while I did little fashion shows. He was like... my best girlfriend, only with a dick. Why did I divorce him again? Oh yes, he’s still in love with his ex-wife! Why had I not thought twice about letting myself marry a man like that? I thought I’d been imagining it, but when I walked in on them in a passionate embrace, I couldn’t get the image out of my head. The day I realized he’d given me the same engagement ring he’d given his Ex five years earlier, cemented my suspicions. He still loved her.

  “ None of this will do. We need to go shopping,” Charlotte proclaimed.

  Chapter Four

  Chase

  Zac handed me two pills.

  “Just a little upset stomach,” I said. “ I’m sure it will pass by tomorrow morning. Thanks.” I unwrapped the Pepto tablets, popped them in my mouth, and chased it with a cup of coffee, which was ice cold thanks to my little liaison two doors down. “Shit, I feel like I was run over by something.”

  “If you have food poisoning, you probably should get looked at.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “There’s something....” He pointed to the blood on my shoulder.

  “Cut myself shaving.”

  “You shave, your shoulders?”

  The glare I gave him, stopped any further questions. I wasn’t about to tell him I just fucked my ex-wife. It was none of his business, besides, he’d just parrot back what an idiot I’d been. “You can go now, Zac.”

  “Um.” He turned to leave but then rounded, his hand on the doorknob. He gave me a lopsided grin. “I actually came in here for two reasons.”

  I looked up from the files on my desk.

  “The Christmas party is in two weeks. You are going, aren’t you?”

  “I always go. Why?”

  “Just that you usually bring a date...or a wife. In fact, I usually know who but...”

  I clicked on a few emails in my computer, hoping Zac would take the hint that I had more important things to do than discuss my love life with him. He meant well, but sometimes he was too intrusive, like when he begged me not to sign those divorce papers.

  “What’s your point, Zac, and why do you care?”

  “You always bring a date. People expect it, and besides, it will show everyone you’ve moved on. That she didn’t break you. You have to appear strong.”

  “I don’t give a shit what people think. Okay, maybe I do, but I doubt any of our employees will care after they see their Christmas bonuses.”

  “Maybe, but... I think it’s important to show everyone a man of strength.”

  “Zac, what are you getting at, and why do I get the feeling you’re trying to rearrange my life?”

  He shrugged. “Hey man, I’m just trying to be a good friend. You are over her?”

  “Of course. I don’t need to prove that to you or to anyone in this damn company. My private life is my own business.”

  I brought up a page from the stock market, simply to reaffirm to myself that I was indeed good at something when I actually felt like crap. I’d built this company from the ground up and now it was soaring. I may not be good at relationships, but selling pharmaceuticals and half a dozen other projects, had propelled me to the top of the Fortune 500 Club by the age of twenty-one.

  “So what would you have me do, Zac? I don’t have time to date. You know that.”

  “Not a problem. I know a girl...”

  “Of course you do.” My fingers froze on the damn keyboard. Did I want another woman? Hell, I still had Abby’s juices dripping along my tongue. I couldn’t throw that in her face right now, besides I wasn’t prepared to see her with another man. I leaned back in my chair. “Not sure this is a good idea.”

  “Why not?”

  “Abby and I...” I almost told him, but then came to my senses. Quick. “I...I think she’s having a hard time right now.”

  “Hard time?”

  “Yeah, I don’t know. Maybe someone close to her has died...or...or something,” I finished lamely, hoping he would buy it. “And we’re still on speaking terms. I don’t want to mess with that.”

  “Hmmm.”

  “What do you mean, hmmm?”

  There was a glint of mischief in his eye, or was that just the overhead lights? “But you are over her, right?”

  “Yeah, sure.”

  “Well, I like Abby just as much as anyone, but... You can’t remain celibate your whole life.”

  I let out an exasperated breath. “Okay, who is this mystery woman?”

  “Can’t tell you.”

  “What?”

  “We’re doing a masquerade theme this year. You don’t have to know her name nor does she have to know yours. So if you’re worried about...”

  “I’m not... ,” I snapped.

  “Okay, good. Anyhow, this lady is hot as hell. You’ll love her. I guarantee it.”

  I rubbed my forehead, feeling a headache coming on and my stomach boiling like hot lava in the middle of a rainstorm. “I doubt love will have anything to do with it, but all right. I guess I can let you set me up with someone.”

  “Great!” Zac grinned way too wide for my inquisitive mind to accept, and I wondered what he was up to.

  “Cripes, now my throat feels like I swallowed glass,” I complained. Think I better go home.”

  “Yeah, get some rest,” Zac said. “And just leave your mystery woman to me.”

  Chapter Five

  Abigail

  “Have you ever hated anyone?” I asked Charlotte, turning onto East Ridge Road and then slowing down for the traffic. “I mean really and truly hate someone.”

  “No. Why?”

  “I thought I would hate Chase after what he did to me. I wish I could hate him, but I don’t.”

  “Why do you want to hate him, Ab?” She sounded like she was the one that wanted to cry. Charlotte had begged me to take some time with my decision but I’d rushed to my lawyer within days of finding Chase with his Ex. I’d been so hurt, so destroyed inside, that I couldn’t wait. In fact, I’d not even confronted the man. To make matters worse, I’d called my mother right after finding him with his ex-wife. She’d never liked Chase. It’s probably why I called her so I wouldn’t back out of my decision.

  “It’s just...it would be easier if I could hate him, ya know.”

  “And it wouldn’t hurt so much,” Charlotte said. “I get it.”

  “Yeah. Anyway, moving onto new experiences, right?”

  “Right.”

  I slowed down when I reached the strip mall, and pulled up to the curb in my Beamer.

  Charlotte tugged on my sleeve. “Remember, you promised you’d wear whatever I pick out for you. Clothing. Shoes. Makeup. The whole kit and caboodle.”

  “Um, yeah. Okay. Whatever.” I was a little frightened, though I didn’t know why. Charlotte had pretty good taste in clothing. She was the only woman I ever met who could make conservative business attire look totally feminine and sexy. I often told her she should set up her own boutique, or dress the rich and famous instead of cleaning offices in the middle of the night for Remington Enterprises.

  I ducked my head, peering through the windshield at the top of the plate glass window and read, Costumes Are Us. “Catchy name. I shuddered, as life-sized rubber masks of werewolves, vampires, and all sorts of disgusting creatures stared
back through the huge window.

  Charlotte unbuckled her seatbelt. “Yeah, look at that one there. If that came at me in a dark alley, I’d be peeing in my pants.” She was right. The dead guy with a blade sticking out of his head looked amazingly realistic.

  “It is a Christmas party, Char. Don’t you think people would choose costumes that were more...I don’t know. Christmassy?”

  “Hah! Have you seen the geeks that work in IT? I can so see that guy with all those piercings all over his face wearing one of those. And his sidekick...you know the one. The gay guy with the afro. He paints his nails, for God’s sake.”

  I laughed. “Honestly, I never noticed.”

  “Yeah, well next time your PC needs a fix, ask him to do it. I think he wears makeup too.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Yeah. You’d be surprised at how many kinky, crazy people work at Remington’s.”

  “I have to admit I’m really excited about the masquerade. I haven’t been trick or treating since I was eight.”

  “Well, be prepared to get out of your comfort zone, girlfriend.”

  “Okay, but no princess dresses and definitely no little Red Riding Hood.”

  “Got it.”

  Maybe this was what I needed. I could reinvent myself. Just for the night.

  I had no idea what it was I wanted to wear, but I told Charlotte I wanted it to be so far away from my usual persona that nobody would know it was me. I wanted to make tongues wag, but in a playful way, and people would shake their heads over the brazen mystery girl who showed up at the party without a date. Would they think Charlotte and I were a couple? I bit my lip. If they figured out who Charlotte was, they’d guess my identity too. We were best friends and everyone knew it. “You have to wear something just as secretive,” I said. “So no one will guess who I...we...are. Okay?”

  “Oh, absolutely,” Charlotte agreed. “Okay, I’m going in. I won’t be long because I’m only getting one thing. Well, two. I just thought of something else.” She giggled and then disappeared inside the store.