For some reason, I blurted out, “Sure, I’ll come. I actually just started dating someone and can bring him home to meet Mom, Dad, and my brother and sister-in-law.”
There was a stunned silence on the other end of the line.
After hanging up, I felt a rush of satisfaction.
But that soon gave way to regret and anxiety. I’ve spent 30 years without finding a boyfriend, and now, with the New Year upon us, where was I supposed to find one?
My motivation to finish the report vanished, and I sat at my desk, feeling utterly lost.
"Working late again, boss?" came a clear voice.
I looked up to see Zachary George standing there.
He just joined the company last year right after grad school and was on my team.
With the New Year tomorrow, most people had already left for home or vacation, so I was surprised to see him still here.
“Zachary? What are you still doing here? Aren’t you heading home for the holidays?”
He sighed. “I couldn’t snag any train or flight tickets, so I’m stuck in Harrisburg this year.”
Alone?
The thought sparked in my mind.
Zachary was often the subject of speculation among the women in the office.