Page 89 of Unwrapped

But I have nowhere to go.

Tomorrow’s Christmas Eve and a snowstorm is expected. With my luck, I’d end up stuck on the side of the road. Pacing in front of the warm fire, I wring my hands deliberating what to do. Devon was so nice when she offered to drive me back and listened to me, a complete stranger ramble on about what a jerk Dare is all the while knowing her husband, Rog is like an uncle to him.

My phone buzzes with a text.

Dev:Christmas party tonight. Pick you up in ten. No Dare I promise.

I debate whether or not to hide out in my room for the rest of the night. But that’s depressing. Devon seems fun and a night out celebrating at her husband’s bar sounds like just what I need to get back into the holiday mood. It doesn’t hurt since she also promised Dare wouldn’t be there. That he had “Club business” to attend to or something when she mentioned the party to me earlier.

I fluff my hair, apply another coat of gloss and pick up my favorite cashmere sweater in snow white.

“Going out?”

“You’re not going to the party at Sassy’s?”

“I’ll be busy cooking and setting up for Christmas Dinner.”

“Are you sure? I can help you with that tomorrow.”

“Go. Now. I actually can’t stand having anyone in my kitchen. Don’t forget, I have you booked for a mineral wrap followed by the mineral bath treatment early in the morning so my therapist can spend Christmas Eve at home.”

“Thank you. I’m looking forward to it.”

The headlights from Devon’s truck cut down the drive and I shrug into my faux-fur coat and step out.

“You ready?” She grins as I open up the passenger door.

“For what?”

“A night you’ll never forget.”

“It’s just a party.”

“I…I pulled some strings for you. I called that temp agency and requested your sexy Santa to make an appearance.”

“You didn’t. Ugh. I just want to forget about men.”

“Ok, that’s fine. Just ignore him then. Have you spoken to Dare at all?”

“No. He knocked on my door a few times, but I just can’t listen. It hurts too much. I know that sounds crazy since we just met but we connected. I know we did.”

“Sometimes it just happens like that. I’m glad you came out to Springdale though. We don’t really have a lot of cool women our age around here, just a bunch of stubborn alpha males.”

“I know. That’s kind of why I came. I guess I found what I was looking for.”

“In spades. Some guys form the Canada Chapter of Creed will be there. Most single, too.” She waggles her brows.

“The last thing I need for Christmas is a man. It just took me a while to realize that.”

“Well, won’t that be funny if that’s exactly what you get?”

“Har-har. Hardly.”

“How are you feeling anyway?”

She gets quiet. “Ok. As long as I take it easy, hopefully this one will stick.”

“I’m sure it will.”

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