A childlike excitement lit up her eyes. “Real. I want to smell the pine, feel the needles when I put up the ornaments. Can we go to cut one this weekend?”
“We can’t just go to the store?”
She shook her head. “I want it all, Adam. All the things I missed. All the experiences I only lived in my head.”
He kissed her forehead. “I’ll make all your dreams come true.”
Chapter Seven
“I want to be the first one to apologize to you.”
Alora glanced up from her workstation to see Trudy, one of Marvin’s old assistants. She was a budding artist. Alora had gotten the chance to work with her a few times after she was handed Marvin’s disastrous accounts. She couldn’t believe Marvin assumed he was better than her just because he was a man. It did piss her off. Talent didn’t choose between the sexes.
“It’s okay, Trudy,” she said with a smile.
Trudy wasn’t the first one to apologize to her. In the last few days, most in the building had taken the time to say a comment here or there. She’d been surprised actually by how many people couldn’t stand Marvin. He’d created a toxic work environment.
Most of them had been women, and it seemed he had a reputation that even Adam was pissed off about. The last thing Adam had wanted to do before the holidays started was have a team meeting about employment rules and conduct, which stated any employee who harassed, blackmailed, or made sexual overtures needed to be reported.
Marvin had hurt a lot of people during his time at the company.
“He was a pig. I can’t believe…” Trudy shook her head. “I’m glad he’s gone. I’m sorry about the things he said about you, but I also wanted to say congratulations. The way Mr. Nelson announced his feelings was very romantic. Most of the unmarried women said they’re waiting for their own special man.”
Alora chuckled. “Thank you.” She couldn’t deny it was kind of great. Better than great. When she’d heard Adam say he loved her on the PA system, she nearly melted into a puddle. She would never forget that moment. Alora had been standing at her office doorway, arms folded, listening, and then it was like her world finally had the last piece missing.
He loved her.
She’d never been loved before, but this man completely blew her away.
Someone clearing their throat drew her and Trudy’s attention. Adam stood in her doorway.
“Mr. Nelson,” Trudy said, going slightly pale.
“It’s Adam, Trudy. It is past five o’clock, and I do believe it’s time to head home.” He looked toward Alora. “Am I going to have to be the one to pull you away from work?” he asked.
“Goodnight,” Trudy said. “Have a Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas,” she and Adam said at the same time.
“I’m finished. I can leave this until after the holidays.” She put a cover over the picture on her desk, to keep it secured.
There had been a fresh fall of snow in the afternoon, so she pulled on her jacket, sinking her arms into the warmth. She grabbed her bag, and then Adam waited, putting his arms around her waist and holding her close. He pressed a kiss to her cheek, and she felt so loved. So complete.
“It’s time to pick that tree,” he said. “You’ve been putting it off.”
“I have not.” She reached into her jacket and pulled out a card, handing it to him.
She waited as he read it.
“What’s this?”
“I didn’t want us to miss out on a good tree, so I ordered one in advance. I hope you don’t mind.”
“You think of everything.” They stepped out of his building, and with the snow falling, Adam pulled her close. “Have I told you how much I love you?” he asked.
“You have.” She still hadn’t said it to him though.
After he said it, she noticed he waited, and each time she stepped away or changed the subject, she saw his shoulders seemed to droop just a little. She hated that she was the cause of his sadness, but she needed the moment she told him to be perfect. For a woman like her, those three little words meant more than anything.
There was no doubt in her mind, not a single one.
She loved this man more than anything else in the world. He was the only person she wanted to be with. He made her feel less alone in a world she swore had conspired against her all these years.
“Let’s go and get that tree.”
His car wasn’t parked too far, and it only required a twenty-minute drive across the city to the open lot. The moment Alora stepped out at their destination, the scent of Christmas assailed her, pine and burning wood. Chestnuts were roasting just outside of the lot, and they were selling hot cocoa.
She was right to order early because there were barely any trees left, but she did notice they were all gorgeous and full.