Page 2 of My Knight Before Christmas
My stomach dropped out as if I were on a roller coaster. At what point did I give up? It was as though I was a dinghy on rough seas. My white flag rested on my lap, and the universe cackled, while sending storm after storm, wondering why I hadn’t raised my arm in defeat. “Fly,” the white flag begged, “fly!”
“You’d tell me if it were me, wouldn’t you?” I asked. “I mean, I’m the common denominator in all these miserable dates. Am I too picky?”
Amy pulled me to my feet, leading me to the couch. “Sit,” she commanded. I obeyed like an obedient hunting dog.
She went to the kitchen, coming back with the only tribe who hadn’t let me down. Tillamook. She placed the creamiest, chocolatiest, ice cream on the planet on the coffee table before handing me a spoon. Not that I needed anymore sugar. But I never said no to chocolate.
After a few bites, Amy looked at me head on—her game face intact. Which meant I was about to be complimented until my ears burned, or given a reprimand for my self-pity, also causing said ears to burn.
“I think you’re not picky enough,” she announced.
My stomach tightened. “It’s not like I’ll date just anyone. I have standards. You and Anna always approve the men’s profiles before I agree to go out.”
She nodded. “True. But remember all the horrible guys I went through before finding Lucas? I have a lot of doozies in the book, too. Besides, we can’t force our men on you. Remember how well that went with Jackson?”
Ah, yes, Mr. Attorney, who only spoke about his cases. They thought his profile was perfect. Too bad he never mentioned his addiction to his profession before our date. Huh. They should add that feature to the app. I could easily admit I was obsessed with chocolate, rom-coms (in any form: book, movie, real life), and yoga.
“Well.” I dug around for another scoop of heaven in a carton. “I think I need a break. It’s been months of agony.”
“I don’t want you to give up. Not every man is a loser or will end up cheating on you. I know what your aunt and uncle did to each other makes it hard for you, but I promise there’s someone out there who is ready to love you the way you deserve.”
My chest constricted the same way I squeezed a bag when piping frosting at work. Growing up, we spent every holiday with my extended family. I didn’t notice the tension until I became a teen, but our gatherings were the equivalent of either piña coladas on the beach or tip toeing over hot coals. All because of my aunt and uncle.
They cheated on one another so often throughout their marriage, no one knew why they stayed together; or what version we’d get at family parties. The happy, loving couple, or the feuding jealous rivals? It really made me worry about who I trusted because if those two could continue hurting each other like that, who was to say I wouldn’t choose a man who’d do the same to me? I’d already picked wrong in high school, and then again in college. Liam hadn’t helped when he ghosted me.
“I’m going to delete my profile on Kismet,” I resolved.
“Guess what?” Anna burst into the house, shouting with glee. Her golden brown locks flowed freely down her back, her blue eyes sparkled.
“You went shopping?” I guessed. Anna was always dressed to impress. What was wrong with good ol’ jeans and a t-shirt?
“Sadly, no.” she clucked. “But Spencer got that new marketing manager job, and he’s having a party Saturday night to celebrate!”
Anna adored parties like one adored puppies. Probably because she was an event coordinator and loved any opportunity to throw a shin-dig. They weren’t my cup of tea.
Amy jumped up, hugging her. She was the sweetest of us three. “That’s so exciting. What should we wear, and what should we bring?”
“You gals have fun,” I said, digging my spoon into the melting ice cream.
Anna put her hands on her hips. “You have to come!”
I slowly shook my head. “No. I don’t.”
Amy chimed in. “Avery, maybe this would be a good night to have some fun without stressing about another date.”
I pointed my spoon at the two of them. “And watch you two cuddled up to your boyfriends all night? No thanks.”
“That will be hard to do when Spencer is inviting twenty to thirty people,” Anna said.
Amy sat next to me and grabbed my hand. “Please come, Avery. We won’t have as much fun without you.”
Lies. They would probably have more fun without me bringing the party vibes down.
Anna sang, “It’s casual attire, and he’s having Big Doc’s BBQ cater.”
I would have gone—kicking and screaming—to the party because I loved Anna, and her boyfriend, Spencer. But if Big Doc’s was catering, I would be there without a fight. It was hands down the best barbeque in Lampton.
“Fine. Count me in.” I scraped my spoon against the bottom of the container. How had I eaten the rest of it already?
