A SEAL for Christmas (All I want for Christmas is... 2)

“Yes.” Shayma switched hands for the tech. “I was out doing some last-minute Christmas shopping and saw the sign outside for the manicure special. I needed to get one, so here I am.”

“Right.” The receptionist faced her tech again. Her short blond hair was spiked in the back and an array of tiny stud earrings sparkled from the ridge of her ear. “With those clothes, you obviously don’t work.”

Shayma frowned down at her tailored pants and sweater. Yes, they were designer, but she didn’t think they screamed expensive. Which meant that the receptionist must have an exceptionally good eye. “I’m actually in the city on vacation. A little pre-Christmas shopping spree before I fly home next week.”

“And where’s home?”

“Al Dar Nasrani.”

“Wow.” The receptionist smiled. “Bet all this snow’s sent you for a loop, huh? Make you miss your tropical island home?”

“A little.” Shayma grinned. “Though the winter here is lovely too.”

“Try living in it for a few months. Won’t be so lovely anymore.” The girl laughed. “I’m Emma, by the way.”

“Shayma.” She smiled over at the woman beside her. “I like your earrings.”

“Thanks.” Emma shrugged. “The firm where I work is fairly conservative, so I try to rebel in all the little ways I can.”

“What’s the name of your firm?” Shayma asked, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.

“It’s a green energy company called EnKor. I’m sure you’ve never heard of them.”

“Believe it or not, actually, I have. My father works in the government of Al Dar Nasrani. He’s head of utilities and infrastructure for the country. I’ve heard him use the name before, I think.”

“Interesting.” Emma stuck her hand in a soaking bowl as directed by her tech. “I’m pretty sure I’ve probably placed some calls to your father’s office then. I’m the main receptionist for the company.”

“You probably have then. My apologies.”

Emma snickered. “Oh, your father’s office isn’t bad at all. Some of them are terrible. Thankfully, I don’t have to make them very often.”

“Why’s that?” Shayma picked out a polish from the tray the tech pointed at then refocused on Emma. “I’d think handling the phones would be a big part of a receptionist’s job.”

“Normally, it would be. But EnKor’s kind of weird that way.”

Interest piqued, Shayma leaned a bit closer. “How so?”

“Well, it’s an energy firm, so you’d think there’d be lots of meetings with utility companies and stuff, right?”

“Right.”

“But there’s not. In fact, no one ever comes in for meetings at all except for a couple of older gentlemen.” Emma snorted. “Which is probably a good thing, since we hardly have any furniture. No place for them to sit.”

Shayma frowned. “No furniture? How do they do business?”

“Good question.” Emma sighed. “Doesn’t matter. I’ve been hunting for another position for months now, but the market’s crap. At least EnKor pays well.” She lifted a shoulder and stared at the bright red polish the tech was painting on her nails. “I got to meet a senator once too. He’s the only man who ever stopped by on his own to see my boss, Frank Kent.”

“Huh.” Shayma filed the information away for later when she could tell Murphy about it all, then steered the conversation back toward safer topics like shopping and holiday prep. “Are you all ready for Christmas?”

“Mostly.” Emma shoved her freshly manicured hands into the UV dryer. “Still have a few odds and ends to pick up. How about you? Hitting all those fabulous sales out there?”

I wish. Shayma rolled her aching ankles and forced a smile. “Yes. And now my feet are killing me. I have one more stop to make after this, then I can head back home for the afternoon.”

They chatted about the best places to get decorations and the best vendors for trees, then Emma was done. Her timer dinged and she stood, grabbing her purse from the floor beside her. “Well, I’m back to work. It was nice to meet you, Shayma. Have a wonderful holiday.”

“Bye, Emma. Nice to meet you too.” She watched the other woman walk out as her own nails dried beneath the warm, bluish UV lights.

Once she was finished, Shayma headed back around the corner where Murphy waited, paper cup of coffee in hand and a scowl on his face.