Page 24 of Hooked on Lane (Hooked #1)
Chapter Twenty-Four
Jennifer
I t’s Christmas . I called Laura to wish her a merry Christmas and share Lane’s confession that he would resign if HR pushed the issue. She just kept saying I told you so. “Whatever I have to go.” I pulled on my festive holiday sweater and hurried downstairs.
Lane stood out like a beacon. “Good morning. Carina is going to let us use the kitchen to make a meal. Wanna help?”
“I'd love to.”
I followed him to the kitchen, where he gathered ingredients. He chopped onions, then cracked fresh eggs into a bowl with a flick of his wrist. As I watched, he fried bacon in one pan, simmered gravy in another, and mixed up a big batch of cinnamon rolls in between.
“Let’s take this out there. Mom should be down and Carina is going to join us.”
We gathered around table. I placed my gift on the table and Lane gingerly untied the gold ribbon.
He peeled back the wrapping paper, revealing an old wooden picture frame holding a photograph of his father.
His eyes stayed fixed on the image as he ran his thumb over the edges of the worn frame.
His breathing slowed, and a tear escaped his eye.
“Your mom said that she had some old photos of the two of you together, but some were so faded that I got them restored.”
Slowly, he looked up, tears still streaming down his face. “Thank you.”
Gently setting down the photo on the table, Lane walked across the room and came back, holding a small box wrapped in blue paper and tied with a white bow. “This is for you.”
I opened the lid to reveal a slip of paper with an activation code for the EZ Planning software. Joy burst through me as I realized what it was. How did he know?
“I heard you talking about it with Laura.”
I wrapped him in my arms, pressing my face against his shoulder.
“As much as I’d love to stay inside, the parade is starting soon. We should head out.”
As we walked toward the town square, the streets were alive with families.
The parade began with the thump-thumping of drums and the blaring of trombones, the sound rippling through the air like a wave.
The marching band was decked out in their red and white uniforms adorned with shiny gold buttons, and they strutted proudly past the crowd.
Next came the small floats, festooned with lights and glitter.
Colorful figures danced on each float—miniature Christmas trees, reindeer, snowmen, and elves—all waving cheerily to the roaring crowd as they passed by.
As we walked away from the parade, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of hope and optimism.
Maybe things would work out between Lane and me.
Maybe the firm wouldn't push the issue and we could both keep our jobs.
However, one other thought crossed my mind.
What if he didn't want to stay in New York City?
After all, he only agreed to a one-year contract.