Under The Mistletoe

1- Mae

"Mae?" The man behind the counter called out to the group of people, patiently awaiting their morning coffee.

"That's me."

I walked up to the counter. "A black coffee and a peppermint mocha?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Happy Holidays."

I smiled, grabbed the coffees from him and headed out the door, onto the busy streets of New York City.

Today was December 21st, the day of our office Christmas party and the last day our office has to get our work wrapped up before our holiday break.

I was looking forward to this time off. I worked for a publishing company here in the city. My boss was Hudson Knight, the co-owner of Whitlock and Knight Publishing.

I absolutely loved my job and living in New York itself was a dream come true.

I grew up in a small town in Wisconsin, so moving to the big apple was definitely a change for me. After I graduated high school, I moved out here by myself and went to NYU where I got a bachelor's degree in English and journalism.

My senior year, I became a freelance journalist for a newspaper here in New York and a year after graduating, Mr. Knight read one of my pieces and offered me a job as his assistant, opening the door to become a junior editor, working on his team.

He was quiet, and a lot of people said he was rude but I saw him differently. He was straight to the point and that might have come off a little assholeish to some people but what they didn't see was the smirk he gave as they walked away.

He wasn't like that towards me and that's probably why he wouldn't let me go from being his assistant. After being promoted I stayed on as his assistant and edited at the same time. I didn't do as much as I had before for him and it was a lot of work, but I enjoyed it. It kept me busy and I was up for the task.

Plus the pay was amazing.

I walked up to the building where the receptionist greeted me with a smile. "Good morning, Ms. Anderson."

"Morning, Susan. How are you doing today?"

"I'm doing good, how are you?"

"Good, thank you." I ran to catch the elevator. "Wait."

The man inside held the door as I stepped in. "Thank you."

I hit the top floor with my pinkie, making sure I didn't spill the coffees. Checking the time, seeing I was going to be a few minutes earlier than normal.

Stepping off the elevator, I headed straight for my office, greeting my co-workers as I passed by.

I placed my bag and coffee down on my desk before heading for Mr. Knight's office with his coffee. His door was already opened, but his back was turned as he talked with someone on the phone.

I knocked a few times, letting him know I was there. He turned and a smile appeared on his face as he motioned me in. "I'm at work, we can discuss this later on."

I smiled back, placing his coffee on his desk. I was about to give him some privacy so he could finish up his phone call when he held up his pointer, stopping me.

I watched as he rolled his eyes towards the wall and clench his teeth. "I'll call you back at noon... I love you too."

I awkwardly stood there, staring down at my feet as he finished his conversation.

"Good Morning, Ms. Anderson." I watched as he took a sip of his coffee, thoroughly enjoying it as if it was something he desperately needed this morning... but probably wished it was something stronger.

"Good Morning, Mr. Knight. Lady problems?" My eyes widened but he surprised me when he started chuckling. I don't know why I asked him that, it just kind of slipped out and it was clearly none of my business.

"More like bossy mother problems."

"Oh." I knew all too well what it was like to have bossy parents. My parents always meant well but it was still aggravating. They had high hopes that once I moved out to New York, I'd hate it and come back home and marry my high school sweetheart.

Paul and I had two different dreams though and we both liked men.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to overstep."

"You're fine." He looked over at me. "Did you have time to finish that manuscript?"

"I just have to fix a couple more things and it will be on your desk in the next hour."

"Perfect. Thank you."

"Anything else, sir?"

"No."

I nodded before walking out of his office, over to my desk and got to work.

The day flew by. I had one more phone call to make for Mr. Knight before I got to go home and start getting ready for the Christmas party tonight.

The phone rang but unfortunately it went straight to voicemail, so I left a message...

"Good afternoon, Mr. Davenport. My name is Mae Anderson, I'm one of the Junior editors at Whitlock and Knight publishing. I'm calling on behalf of your book you submitted to Mr. Knight. I read over your manuscript and I see a lot of potential in your book and would like to discuss it further with you." I gave him both my office number and cell phone just in case he called me over break. Mr. Knight wanted this book so I didn't want to lose Davenport to another publishing company.

"I'll be out of the office until January second, but feel free to call me on my cell between then so we can set up a meeting at the beginning of next year. I look forward to hearing from you, Quinn."

I hung up the phone, hopeful he'd call back soon.

Joy, a colleague and one of my best friends stopped over and sat on my desk. "Are you ready to go yet?"

"Yes. I shut my computer off. "I just finished the last thing I had to do today. Let go."

She wrapped her arm through mine as we walked to the elevators, passing Mr. Knight's office.

"Goodbye Mr. Yummy pants." Joy whispered.

I hit her arm. "Would you behave! What if he hears you one time?"

She giggled. "That would be so embarrassing."

I hit the elevator button. "Yes it would, so stop that."

"You can't tell me you don't at least think about?"She wiggled her eyebrows.

"Oh lordy, you need to stop."

Joy followed me to my apartment where we were both going to get ready?

"What do you think?" I asked as I twirled for her.

She let out a whistle. "Love it... so will your hunky boss."

Not this again. "Why must you tease me?"

"Because it's funnn."