Corporate Mandated Holiday Romance by Nellie Wilson

Author:Nellie Wilson [Wilson, Nellie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2023-11-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Annoyingly, nothing happens at work over the next couple of days, with the exception of my hangover lasting forty-eight hours. I see Aron occasionally in the hallways, always with a cell phone pressed to his ear and a frustrated expression on his face. The marketing department produces materials, gets feedback, makes adjustments. Wash, rinse, repeat. I head home to Gemma and The Bachelor on Thursday, sending Max a text with an update that there is no update.

Max: That is frustrating, but that’s journalism. Hurry up and wait!

I’m ready to slide my phone back into my pocket and wait to text him until something finally happens at work, but I get an idea. We have an event in a few days, the annual company party, and Max and I really need to convince everyone at work that we’re a couple. The only time I’ve spoken to Aron recently was the time he asked me about Max, and the flare of jealousy on his face was enough to motivate me.

Brooklyn: What are you doing tomorrow night?

Max: I have a Shabbat dinner with some friends.

I make a mental note to google what Shabbat is. I feel like I’m constantly learning about Jewish holidays, so I assume it’s one of those.

Brooklyn: Saturday night?

Max: Free. Why? Is there a work event?

Brooklyn: Kind of. We should go on a date.

I can feel his fingers preparing to type a reminder that we can’t date for real. The day after The Kiss, Max sent me a few articles about journalistic ethics and added a few about the unfair expectations placed on female and nonbinary journalists to underline his point. I didn’t need convincing after he told me it was something he wasn’t comfortable with, but it definitely caused me to rethink my evening fantasy in the shower. So I clarify.

Brooklyn: Not a real date. But a date in a public place to get used to being around each other.

Brooklyn: As a fake couple.

Brooklyn: And to get to know each other better.

Brooklyn: For our backstory.

I’m verging on she doth protest too much territory when Max responds.

Max: Brilliant. I’m free after 11 am.

Brooklyn: Great. Meet me here.

I send him the address for the skating rink. Not only is it something I find fun, but there is nothing less sexy than being surrounded by high schoolers on dates while bored college kids home for break staff the rink in dollar store Santa hats. Plus, Max falling on his ass—as most people do when they start skating again as an adult—will tamp down both of our libidos.

I know from personal experience.

I’ve gone ice skating a few times, usually on dates that go nowhere or when a friend from someplace cold decides they want to remember why they pay so much money to sit in traffic on the 405. I’m not bad, but I’m not good, and I can wobble myself around the rink in a fair manner. I also imagine that it’s going to be a winter wonderland. I’ve never seen

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