Debra Anastasia

CHAPTER 3

Getting Fired

 

I scurried off of Kris as quickly as I could. He tried to help me, but from his position on the floor, all he could do was push on my ass.

 

This was going from very bad to very worse. “Sorry, Darren. Sorry. I fell and…” I straightened my skirt and then my hair while Kris got off the floor easily. Athletically.

 

Darren cleared his throat. “You fell on this stranger in a porno stance? I mean clearly he’s a mail order stripper or something. None of that can happen in this real estate office. What will the clients think?”

 

I didn’t think pointing out that we never had a client before would be advantageous at this time, so I pursed my lips shut. But my face was a tattle tale and Darren shook his head.

 

“We will be busy someday. Please gather your things and escort your…escort off the property.” Darren folded his arms on his chest.

 

Kris finished putting on his boots. They looked big.

 

I started to grumble under my breath, but headed to my desk. I grabbed my purse and my tote bag that held my uneaten lunch in it. As an afterthought, I added the WereSecretary book. I mean, technically it was company property, but I felt entitled to at least read it being that Mrs. Fargone had been so adamant that I was in charge of it.

 

Kris stood waiting for me, glowering at Darren.

 

When I made my way around my desk to head out the door, Kris held up a hand. “Do you need anything? Does he owe you a paycheck?”

 

I narrowed my eyes at Kris. That was a thoughtful response to what I was currently experiencing. I turned to look at Darren and embarrassment tears clouded my eyes. Ugh, my body’s first reaction was tears which made me feel like I was at a disadvantage when I was in situations like this.

 

Kris lifted his chin in Darren’s direction. “Listen, you have her address, I’m assuming, if she was hired under normal hiring practices, please make sure that she gets her last check and any money owed to her.” He stepped near me and held a hand near my lower back before adding, “You’re wrong, for what it’s worth. She fell, I caught her so she wouldn’t hit her head. Instead of being grateful that she wasn’t hurt and dinging your insurance for a workplace injury, you’re jumping to some pretty perverted conclusions, my dude.”

 

I nodded at Kris and then at Darren. If I talked I would cry. Later, in the shower I’d have a ton of witty, perfect zingers that I’d act out naked. But for now, I was leaving. Which was fine, I’d been quitting before I was fired anyway.

 

As if Kris had read my thoughts he added, “And in place of any wrongful termination hassle, she’ll accept your promise to give any companies calling for references in the future glowing reviews of her time with you.” Kris strode over to the door and held it open for me. He looked majestic - in his face. His outfit was absolutely ridiculous. When we were on the sidewalk he gave me a flat lipped smile with sympathy in his eyes. “I’m so sorry about that. Gosh, this day is a pile of coal.”

 

“I was going to leave soon anyway. The job was really boring and not in my field at all.” I stepped toward where my car was parallel parked a few stores down. “Do you need a ride somewhere?” I shifted my tote from one arm to the other. The book was heavy.

 

He glanced down at his outfit. “Honestly, I just need to get back to my car and call AAA. I left my phone there in all the unexpectedness.”

 

“Go ahead and hop in the passenger side.” As I walked to my car, the key fob automatically unlocked it.

 

I put my foot under the trunk and it lifted when it sensed the motion.

 

“Fancy car.” Kris took the heavy tote from me and placed it in the trunk, closing it for me as well.“

 

I got a great deal because it’s a lemon. It malfunctions whenever it’s in a mood. It must like you and it's showing off.” I stepped backwards and looked up at his face.

 

Kris went around me and held my driver’s side door open. I swooned a little. He waited until my feet were inside before closing it. If he wasn’t dressed like he had run out of a burning building during a Christmas prank, this would almost feel like a normal date situation.

 

After he had folded his large frame into the car, I made sure he had on his seatbelt before putting the car in drive.

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“I’m just past this church and then the giant oak with the tire swing in it.” He leaned forward a little in his seat.

 

I knew what he was talking about. That tree with the swing was one of my favorite fall spectacles. It changed color first and held onto its spectacular leaves the longest.

 

As we rounded the turn I glanced at Kris to see his eyes widen and his brow furrow. “What the hell?”

 

I pulled to the side of the road right behind an old, glorious sleigh. I realized that Kris had been staying pretty calm, all things considered, because when he freaked out it was really, really obvious.

 

“My car! My damn phone. My laptop. What the hell is going on in this town?” He shook his head with his lips to the side before letting himself out of my car.

 

I was newly fired and pressed upon with all this crazy stuff happening, but I set that aside to try and see this from his point of view. Assuming everything that was happening was true, he had his car break down, his clothes had flown off and an older woman had sent him to a real estate office. Now his car was gone. I had a bit of sympathy and got out of the car myself.

 

He was in the sleigh now, bent over at the waist, clearly looking for the things he was missing.

 

“I have a meeting in Albany, my laptop has been stolen, I have no phone, I’m dressed like a Christmas clown.” He put his hands in his hair and squeezed.“

 

Okay, deep breaths. I take it this is not how you got here today?” I waved a hand over the outline of the sleigh.“

 

No. I had a car. A normal car. A nice car. With an almost full tank of gas. And a suitcase of clothes that regular people wear and I am done with this town, this day and everything that looks like Christmas.” He ran his hands from his hair down the front of his face, stretching his handsome features. He glanced back at me when his hands were finally in his lap. “And you’ve lost your job and are sitting with a stranger on the side of the road while he has a meltdown.” He heaved a heavy sigh.

 

I climbed into the sleigh and he slid over to allow me room. It was actually pretty old looking, once I could see the interior better. And beat up. The seat was made of what looked like red leather, but it had quite a few tears in it.

 

“Let’s figure out what the next best step is. You have no phone, no car, no clothes, no computer-- so let’s head to my house and see if we can’t get you some answers.” I reached forward and tapped the front of the sleigh. “And maybe this will magically turn back into your car if we give it some time.”

 

Kris had a far away stare for a few beats. “I guess, if you’re willing to put up with me, I’d really appreciate your help.”

 

“Great. Let’s do a thorough search of this thing to make sure that none of your belongings are just misplaced here, and then we can go.” I hopped out of the sleigh and offered Kris my hand to help him down. That gesture brought out a half smile that I was happy to see. He held my hand and stepped down.

 

He kept my hand in his for a few seconds. “Seriously, thank you. I don’t know what I would do without you today.”

 

I was rewarded with his full, sincere smile and I swear my lady bits were giving him a standing ovation.

 

We didn’t have any luck. The sleigh looked like it had parked there for a few decades, even though I’d never once noticed it on the side of the road before.

 

Today was strange. When we were satisfied that nothing new could be learned within the sleigh, we headed back to my car. Kris was quiet on the ride to my house.

 

I thought I heard a really distant jingle of sleigh bells every time he moved, but I was sure that had to be my imagination playing tricks on me. 

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Author's Note: Next, we get some new characters, so make sure to vote on Lila's sister's name in the newsletter. Chapter 4 will be up on Nov. 18th! Heather Brown, happy birthday! Thank you so Amanda, Carol and all my Beta Beauties.