A/N: Written for Vee's Holly Jolly Challenge. (@sstan-hoe).
Warnings: Attempts at coercion.
Prompts: Nick Fowler - the song Last Christmas. The lyrics included will be written in bold purple font.
Summary: You should've known better. Of course he's still in love with her.
“What the hell is this,” Nick forcefully places the paperwork on your desk.
You look it over quickly and respond, “it’s my request for a transfer.”
“But why,” he seethes. His jaw is tight and his body is tense. He clearly feels betrayed but that just makes your own hurt feel more justified.
“Nick,” you sigh, “you really don’t remember what happened at the Christmas party last week?”
Nick crossed his arms, “I remember you and me doing a lot of kissing in my office. Would’ve taken you home if you didn’t run out on me. I thought we were solid. We’ve only been dating a couple weeks, but we’ve been friends for a lot longer.”
“You really don’t remember,” you shake your head as you fight the urge to cry. “When we were in your office, you called me by her name.” Nick freezes at that and you continue, “I also thought we were solid. Enough so that I gave you my heart. But when you can’t let go of her, I guess I was a shoulder to cry on and nothing more. Even if you don’t want it, I need this transfer for me. To save me from tears if nothing else.”
Nick grabs the paperwork and promises to get your transfer approved as he walks out, leaving your office colder than it was before.
It’s been a few months and you’ve really settled into your work. You can definitely understand why the role of manager for the Research and Development Department has such a high turnover rate. Everyone working here requires a different management style, a different level of understanding and guidance. Most managers stick to one style for everyone, but that’s clearly not what’s needed here and you’ve really gotten the hang of what your researchers need from you.
One thing that everyone could agree on was that they needed more space so you were able to work out a construction contract. The first day you met the foreman, Hal Carter, you were taken aback. You’d bought into the stereotypes of construction guys being on the sexist side (catcalling and whatnot) but he was polite, never talked down to you and always took your concerns seriously. He was quite the flirt, though. Pretty much every woman at the office had been winked at and complemented to no end. But no HR complaints came from it so at your weekly updates you just asked him to be careful with your employees and left it there.
You were doing really well in your job, your new life, when the surprise inspection came. Led by Nick. One look and you knew you weren’t over him but you would keep your distance. Once bitten and twice shy you’d make sure to keep professional. Taking Nick and his team on the rounds, you were grateful for your employees helping you out. A crowded room, friends with tired eyes but they did their best to make sure you (and their funding) would continue.
After the inspection you practically ran to your office to catch your breath. You didn’t notice Nick following you.
“Are you hiding from me,” he asks quietly. His wintry-blue eyes boring into your soul.
“I’m hiding from you and your soul of ice,” you confess. “I ask you to give me distance, to get my heart right again, and then you just waltz right in without warning. I thought you were someone to rely on.”
“During the rounds, I kept my distance, but you still catch my eye.”
“I know what a fool I’ve been, but if you kissed me now, I know you’d fool me again.”
Nick walked towards you, moving in for the kiss that you weren’t sure you really wanted, but he was interrupted by Hal coming into the office with donuts and coffee.
“Oh, sorry,” Hal faltered. He looked at you, “I’d heard you had an inspection of some kind, figured you could use a pick-me-up. Goodness knows your cookies help me and the crew when the building inspectors come around.”
You smile warmly at him, grateful that he broke Nick’s spell over you. “Thank you, Hal! It’s just what I needed. Care to join me? Nick was just on his way out.”
Nick gave you an icy glare before walking out. As soon as you saw him walk out of the building, you allowed yourself to collapse into your office chair. Hal set down the food on your desk and admitted he had been listening to your conversation.
“I was going to wait until you were done with whatever meeting you were in, but I heard a few things that made me worry about you. Given your reaction, I’m guessing I was right about you needing some help?”
You nod appreciatively, sipping at the coffee. “Thank you, Hal. I almost made a serious mistake. Again.”
“I’m happy to help,” he assures. “You’re a good person and I like helping out good people.”
You snort, “given what I’ve seen and heard you just like helping out women.”
He gives you a shy half-smile, “that’s partially true. I like helping people smile, brightening their day. You never know when someone just needs a compliment to help them keep going. Yeah, I’m a huge flirt. Yeah, it’s nice for my own ego. But, for me, it’s just a way of being nice. Oh, and don’t worry about my ego getting too big. My crew helps me with that.” That last note makes you chuckle and you’re genuinely feeling more relaxed than you thought you would.
“Well,” you grinned, “you definitely helped me smile today. Thank you for that.”
Around August the construction project was finally wrapping up. You knew several people who were going to miss Hal and his crew. Especially when they went shirtless for a minute or two in the summer heat. Even you would occasionally indulge, smiling shyly the times Hal caught you looking. Your face would heat up in embarrassment but he never judged you or made fun of you for it. You were really going to miss him and your weekly meetings.
It was at your last meeting with him when you noticed Hal acting fidgety, almost nervous. You ask him if he’s okay and gives you a shy smile you’ve never seen before.
“Um,” he starts, “I…well, with the construction done…I was, um, would…wouldyougooutwithme?”
You blink a few times, not fully sure of what’s going on. “Hal,” you hesitated, “are you asking me out on a date?”
Hal nods, “I didn’t wanna ask while we were kinda working together. You said you’d never date a coworker again and I didn’t want to risk being that. But getting to know you, I…I’d really like to take you out some time.” He still wasn’t able to meet your eyes.
“Why are you acting so shy?”
“Because flirting is one thing. Asking out someone that I genuinely want to be with? That’s…that’s scary stuff.” He looks into your eyes and you’re taken aback. You see the face of a lover with a fire in his heart. You see someone special.
“I’d love to go out with you.”
It’s the company Christmas party and, despite the crowd, Nick has never felt more alone. He knows you’re going to be here and he keeps watching for you. You’re not hiding from him, but he doesn’t seem to see you. You’ve been doing well and coming into your own. You’ve received nothing but love and support from Hal. You’re finally getting the warmth and care you’ve needed and growing.
Nick seems to give up and walks to his office. You follow quietly. As the door clicks shut, his eyes shoot up and you give him a gentle smile.
“Do you recognize me? Well, it’s been a year, it doesn’t surprise me.”
“You look so beautiful,” he whispers. “More beautiful than I ever gave you credit for. Now I know what a fool I’ve been. I got you something. I wrapped it up and sent it with a note saying, “I love you”. Did you receive it?”
“Yes, Nick,” you smile sadly. “I got the necklace.”
“I want you to know, I meant it, when I wrote that.” His frosty blue eyes scan you, looking for the necklace, unsure of why you don’t look happy about the gift.
“You never actually listened to me,” you shake your head. “If you did, you’d know I never liked gold and diamonds. That was her.” You place the gift box on his desk and stand firm, “I need you to stop sending me gifts and notes like this. Now I’ve found a real love, you’ll never fool me again.”
“But-” Nick tries to respond, you see genuine sadness and loneliness but you stop him before he can try to get you to cave.
“Last Christmas I gave you my heart,” you shake your head, putting a hand between the two of you so he can’t get closer. “You tore me apart. But I’ve healed and grown past. Maybe you should try that as well.”
With that, you turned around and left his office. A year ago you fled the room in tears. Now you’re walking out with your head held high. Last year you were left cold and shaken. Now you’re surrounded by warmth and comfort.
