Holiday Heat

Jane

My nose wrinklesas I stand in the moderate-sized living room and dining room combo, my eyes wandering over the dark espresso furniture and old wood floors. High wood ceilings are light and have multiple ceiling fans and lights to warm up the space. It’s all rustic and looks nothing like my apartment in New York City.

Four bedroom doors lead off, two to each side and all the girls are scrambling to find the room that they want. I can’t be bothered. I don’t want to be here. I should be at work. I want to be at work. It’s my business. I don’t like being away.

Caitlyn walks up to me and holds out her tanned hand. “Give me it.”

I stare at her, pretending to misunderstand. “Give you what?”

“Give me the phone.” She twitches her hand and growls at me.

“No. I already left my computer at home. I’m not giving you my phone too.”

“This is your vacation. Your bother has given me specific instructions for you to get that manuscript. One of them is no outside influences and social media. So hand over the phone.”

“I’m a grown woman of forty, Caitlyn. I sure as hell don’t need to be bossed around by my brother. He needs to work on his manuscript and leave me to my own work,” I snarl, holding my Gucci bag to my chest like it’s hiding diamonds.

“I know you are. But you’re burnt out. And your brother cares about you. That’s why he made that deal with you to get out of town and have a little vacation.”

“Grey cares about you. You’re the one that needs a break. Ben’s terrible two’s are taking a toll on you.”

She rolls her silver-gray eyes, shoving her long blond hair behind one ear. “I’m fine. Yes, I’ve been a little tired. But it’s no big deal. Your brother worries too much.”

I smile. “Yeah, well, he loves you. We all do. And you know after Ben was born and you had such a hard time, Grey almost lost his mind.”

“I know,” she agrees softly. “But I’m fine. The person he’s worried about right now is you. You’ve been snippy and tired. You missed Ben’s birthday last month. Even though we reminded you over and over.”

“I was working. One of the other authors had a hard deadline and his proofreader couldn’t get the book taken care of so I did.”

“Right. Well, that’s exactly what I’m talking about. There are other proofreaders in your company that could have taken care of his book. It didn’t have to be you.”

“It just seemed faster.” I run my fingers through my long dark hair. “I told y’all that I was sorry. I promise that it will slow down soon.”

She shakes her head. “You’ve promised that one too many times, Jane. Nobody believes you anymore.” She hugs me tightly and grabs my purse. “Ah-ha! Got it!”

“Give me that back, dammit!” I scramble to try and grab her arm.

She pushes me away. “Nope! You are going to relax this week if it kills you.”

“Aargh!” I holler. “I swear I’d much rather be working than dealing with you right now.”

“Not a nice thing to say to your best friend,” she growls and pulls out my phone from the purse, shoving it back to me.

“Yeah, well right now you’re not acting like my best friend.”

“Actually, I am. You need a good friend to tell you to live a little. Have a little fun. And right now….all the girls are saying the same thing to you. Let’s have some fun.”

All three of my other friends who I’ve met over the years pop out and grin. “Yeah! Let’s have some fun!”

I roll my eyes and groan. “Why do I feel like this isn’t exactly what I’m thinking of as fun?”

“Well, first off…let’s get unpacked and take a look at this place. Maybe we can find something to do right now. Oooh!” Brandy hollers. “What about going to take a dance lesson? I’ve always wanted to learn some fancy dance moves!”

I wrinkle my nose. “Pass. You guys know I have two left feet.”

I see the disappointment on all their faces and sigh. “Why don’t you guys go ahead. Maybe I’ll just read a good book. Oh wait…I don’t have my phone to read!”

Caitlyn grins. “Luckily, I’ve got my kindle right here already loaded with some smutty reading for you. Maybe you’ll get inspired and find yourself a man while we’re here.”