Dozens of glasses clinked together as the clock struck midnight, signaling the beginning of the new year. The drunken voices of her coworkers rose into a chorus of well wishes and slurred insults.
"Well," Melissa said dryly, frowning at some of her feuding colleagues, "it looks like some of them have already broken their resolutions. They were supposed to be living a more positive life this year."
Sam remained silent next to her, waiting for her to continue. That was what she loved most about him. He listened to her. In fact, he was the only reason she had agreed to come to this ridiculous party.
More glasses clinked and a small group of clerical staff began trying to mumble-yell their way through "Auld Lang Syne" as they swayed next to the snack table.
Melissa turned back to Sam and sighed as she sipped her lemon-lime soda. She had really been unloading her stress on him tonight, talking at length about everything from office politics to the pointless new "team building" exercises that did little more than cut into everyone's productive time. Hardly the best way to start off the new year.
"Look, I'm sorry I've been such a downer tonight. Would you like me to get you a snack?"
Sam wagged his tail at the promise of food and she smiled.
As always, thanks go to @mariannewest for posting this prompt (which can be found here).
Image sourced from Pixabay.