Hah!As if I'd ever trust a guy likehim.
But Ihadtrusted Lloyd Grampkin, so like Santa's sleigh, I kept on going. "And you fired him right there at the Christmas party – I mean the Christmasevent."
"So?"
"So don't you think that's kind of…" I crossed my arms. "Grinchy?"
He paused for a long ominous moment before saying, "Tell me something."
"What?"
"What month is it?"
I gave a little wince. "Right now? It's um, July, actually."
He gave my costume a pointed look. "You sure about that?"
I jerked my chin upward and winced yet again as the silvery bell on the end of my hat gave a pathetic little jingle. "Of course I'm sure."
And I was.
Back when I'd been new to the company, sure, it had felt a little odd to plan a Christmas party in July. That first year in particular I'd been horrified to learn that I would be expected to dress up and play the part of Santa's elf in the middle of summer.
But now, after three relatively happy years at Winterville Chocolates, the tradition had grown on me. And besides, the event wasn't nearly as far-fetched as my new boss made it sound.
With as much dignity as I could muster, I said, "Surely you've heard the phrase, 'Christmas in July'."
According to company lore, the tradition had started ten years ago, when Lloyd Grampkin had been looking to boost morale during the summer slump.
Last year, he'd even hired circus performers dressed as elves for the meeting's grand finale. At the memory, I felt a wistful sigh escape my lips.
Last year felt like a lifetime ago.
Slowly, my new boss pushed back his chair and stood. At something in his eyes, my stomach twisted, and the eggnog within gave a dangerous little gurgle.
Was I about to be fired?
Probably.
After all, he'd fired Lloyd for merely wearing a Santa suit.
But I refused to cower. So instead, I looked up and met his gaze head-on.Your move, Monster Man.
Finally, in a dangerously low voice, he said, "Look, you've got two options. Either accept it or move on. Your choice."
I swallowed. "Move on?"
He glanced toward the door. "If you want to quit, now's your chance."
My mouth opened, but no sound came out.No eggnog either.Sothatwas good, right?
On a less cheery note, I didn'twantto quit.Not really.
But someone had to take a stand, if only to prove thatsomepeople valued loyalty over money. "Fine," I said. "Then I quit." And with that, I turned and jingled out of his office, praying that I would never, ever see his face again.
It was such a pretty thought – except it didn't turn out that way.Not exactly.
Chapter 2
