Holly Garland on Santa's Lap [COMPLETE]

CHAPTER 19 ~ Little lies, significant secrets~

I hang up and place Nick's phone on my lap, then slump back against the uncomfortable couch, as cold as the rest of his apartment. Deep in thought, I tap my lower lip with my index finger.

I just had a quick conversation with Carolyn. She seemed worried. And, naturally, that worries me too.

Even though I reassured her about my health, she was still concerned about what was going on at the office. Everything seemed odd and out of the ordinary, she said. There were too many people unfamiliar to the department, sent by upper management, and they seemed to be poking around everywhere. But the strangest thing of all was... Mr. Chatham was actually coming to work. And not just popping in for an hour or two to check on things. No, he was there all day, every day since I took leave.

As if he somehow knew I wouldn't be there.

Yes, Carolyn's right. It's all a bit too strange to be normal.

I decide to investigate by talking to Nick. He definitely knows more than he's letting on.

I take his phone to him in the kitchen, where he's finishing his coffee. Tony is sitting next to him, and in front of him, the box of donuts delivered just an hour ago is now nothing but crumbs.

A dozen donuts! And each as big as his hand, mind you!

All right, I admit I had one in a hurry before calling in for news about work. And I imagine Nick ate two, maybe three, at most...

But that still leaves at least eight enormous donuts unaccounted for!

And Nick has the nerve to say I eat like an ogre!

"Well... Looks like someone was starving!" I say, directing it at no one in particular.

"Uh... Yeah. Sorry," Tony says with a genuinely guilty expression. "Were you still hungry?"

"Want me to order something else?" Nick offers immediately.

"No, that's all right. I'll just stick to my coffee. Don't worry about it, Mr. Caruso—I have a bird's appetite anyway! Right, Nick?"

I address Nick deliberately, making sure he notes that I don't even come close to matching Shrek here.

He smirks, letting me know he got my message loud and clear.

"Please, call me Tony!" says the man I feel inclined to crown Food-Zilla.

I usually respond to such invitations with the same line: "Thanks, but please call me Miss Garland." I prefer not to give my name, which I find embarrassingly ridiculous, and generally, I'm not interested in getting familiar with anyone.

But for the first time, that response feels out of place.

Maybe it's because I don't want to seem superior, like I accused Nick of being?

Or perhaps I'm afraid of hurting Tony's feelings? He might look tough, but he could have a sensitive side... Who knows?

Or maybe it's just that I don't want to make an enemy out of him. After all, my life is supposedly in his hands!

"Okay! Then call me Ginger," I reply without thinking.

He nods and smiles at me before taking a sip of his coffee. I do the same, smiling back, surprised to realize it's the first time I've seen him smile in two days.

"Did you get to make your call peacefully?" Nick asks, pulling me from my thoughts.

"Uh... yes. And actually, I need to talk to you seriously about it!" I exclaim, raising my voice.

"Well, if this is going to turn into another screaming match, I'll leave you two to it," Tony says, getting up from the table.

"Oh, Tony, I'm so sorry for putting your ears through our arguments!" I apologize to him.