Phyllis and Bob Vance (of Vance Refrigeration) walked out of Poor Richard's arm-in-arm, as they'd been throughout most of the Office's Christmas party.
Phyllis was utterly content, and that was kind of a surprise. After such a horrendous beginning – what with Michael making such awful comments about the oven mitt she'd slaved over all week – she'd thought this would go down in history as the worst party Dunder-Mifflin had ever had.
But once Bob came through the door, everything just seemed to get better. He was such a hearty, friendly guy, and Phyllis just couldn't believe her luck in snagging him. Everyone liked him – even Michael had warmed to him, especially when they'd invited Michael to join them at Poor Richard's.
As Phyllis and Bob walked outside to his car, Phyllis told him what Michael had done earlier in the day. Bob's jaw dropped. "That jerk!" he gasped. "I can't believe he could be so rude to you, sweetie. After all the work you put into that, er, what was it again?"
"An oven mitt," said Phyllis. "A HAND-KNIT oven mitt." A tear rolled down her cheek, and Bob tenderly wiped it away.
"Well," he said, "you know, honey, in a way I'm kinda glad he was so mean to you."
"What?" said Phyllis, astonished.
"Sure," Bob laughed. "If he were nicer to you, maybe – well, maybe you'd be fallin' in love with him, instead of me!"
Phyllis smiled, and kissed him. Bob didn't know about the time Michael had said she was giving him a boner. And she'd make sure he never did.