“I SHOULD HAVE done this earlier in the day, but you were in meeting after meeting,” said Cliff. “A typical Emily Summerhill afternoon.”

He reached into the drawer in the console behind his desk, the one where he displayed the photos of his lovely wife and his equally dazzling blond sons. He removed a white business envelope and handed it to Emily. “Merry Christmas, Em.”

“Thank you,” she said. “Merry Christmas to you.”

“Go ahead, open it,” Cliff said. He was smiling a nervous smile.

And so she did, and removed a check made out to her in the amount of $150,000. It was a big chunk of change. But it wasn’t the magic word. She was confused, but, to her amazement, she wasn’t angry. She was hurt. She was sad. She was silent.

“I don’t mind telling you, Em, that’s a generous bonus. There aren’t many that size being handed out this year at your level.”

She wanted to say, “But I thought I was being made partner?” Instead she remained silent. She had never been a whiner.

Cliff couldn’t bear the silence. He decided to fill it with his own pompous voice.

“This has not been the best year in the history of Dale, Hardy,” he said. “The economy remains dicey. They’re letting people go. Everyone who works here is scared. Even the Cliffster.”

Still, Emily said nothing.

Cliff kept going: “My unfailing insight tells me that you’re disappointed that you weren’t made partner. I know you feel you had it coming, and I agree. Absolutely. You work your perfect ass off.  Maybe…maybe a little too much pro bono work…” He paused for a phony-sounding chuckle. “But you’re definitely a rising star. You’re a terrific lawyer. Like I said, you work hard.”

She knew Cliff wanted her to start talking, but honestly, she was just too damned sad to start chattering away. Something about the night, the party, the Christmas party. Maybe even the fact that Gaby was getting married to God knew who.

“You know, the firm just isn’t making commitments. I’m sure that when Old Man Hardy appoints the next group of partners, your name will be at the very top.”

Then she spoke. Softly. Politely. “It is a disappointment. But the bonus is very generous.”

“Yes, it is. I’m glad you realize that,” Cliff said as he shut the console drawer and walked around to Emily’s side of the desk. He put his arm around her shoulder and added, “My own bonus wasn’t a lot more.”

Oh, she thought. So we both got shitty bonuses, and I didn’t get partner. And now your hand is slipping down my back, lingering at my bra strap, and about to land on my butt.

“That’s reassuring,” she said. Emily wasn’t sure Cliff recognized the sarcasm in her voice.

His hand was now firmly established on what he had just called her “perfect ass,” and he stepped in and held himself firmly against her. So, this was Christmas. This was Dale, Hardy. This was her life.

If this were a movie, she would have slapped him. But instead, with her heart full of confusion, she stepped to the side and was free of her boss.

“Cliff, I’m glad we had a chance to get some time alone,” she said. And Emily saw that his eyes sparkled at the thought of Yuletide sex.

“Me too,” he said.

She looked him directly in the eyes.

“There’s something I need to tell you.”