Page 3 of My Knight Before Christmas
Amy and Anna turned to gape at me with matching shocked expressions. “Did she just...” Anna said at the same time Amy mouthed, “She said yes?”
“Ha-ha. I know this is big and I wouldn’t miss it.”
Anna’s head tilted as she studied me. “Are you bringing someone? Is that why you’re so amenable?”
Her comment stung. I supported my friends all the time. Even if I fought about it first. Why would this be any different? “No. I’m done with men for a while.”
“Even if Liam waltzed back in your life?” Anna challenged with a sparkle in her eye.
My heart slammed into my throat. In the extremely long months of dating via Kismet, Liam was the only one I went out with more than once. I fell fast for his giant smile and humor. The way he spoke passionately about traveling the world and basketball. How excited he got when a client loved his marketing campaign. How open he was about his feelings.
When we went ice skating on our second date, anytime our hands brushed, or we held on to the other’s arm for balance, heat and tingles took over my body. It was like eating a warm brownie with ice cream and fudge on top. After our sixth date and first kiss, he said he’d call me later. I never heard from him again. He ghosted me.
“Stop it. Liam’s ancient history.” Ancient as in three months ago. I had thought after meeting Liam that the app really had made my dreams come true. Too bad it only lasted a month before my string of bad luck caught up to me. One good month out of twelve did not mean dating and I were on good terms. And as of tonight, any terms at all. I meant it when I told Amy I was deleting my account. For good.
Of course, my traitorous cheeks heated as I recalled the way Liam’s strong arms wrapped around me. Ugh. Why did they have to bring his name up? I stood, ignoring my roommates, and went to the kitchen to dispose of the empty ice cream carton.
“You never know,” Anna taunted after me.
Uh, his silence for the past three months said plenty on the matter. We were over.
After washing my hands and putting a bag of popcorn in the microwave I hollered, “Anyone up forThe Proposal?“ I might as well enjoy someone’s happily ever after seeing as mine was buried six feet under.
Both girls agreed, and we spent the night curled up on our overstuffed couch, caught up in Ryan Reynolds’s hypnotic brown eyes.
After the movie, while brushing my teeth, an image of Liam—who should not be allowed to appear any time my mind saw fit—flashed in my memories. I suddenly inhaled sharply. My throat spasmed as stinging toothpaste burned my mouth to smithereens. I coughed, splattering foamy bubbles everywhere.
Enough. I would attend Spencer’s party with one goal in mind. Okay, two. First, eat the best barbeque in town. Second, get Liam out of my mind for good.
Two
“Hurryup,Avery,we’regoing to be late,” Anna called from the front door.
I tugged my leather sandal strap over my heel, while hopping on one foot, and grabbed my clutch before meeting Anna and Amy in the entryway.
“If you didn’t demand I change my clothes a million times, I would have been ready an hour ago,” I complained.
“Casual does not mean jeans and a t-shirt,” Anna retorted.
Anna and I were so different. We were on separate planets when it came to fashion. She was Nordstrom; I was Target. Although, in her line of business, first impressions were a big deal. I was often covered in frosting and flour.
“You look great, Avery,” Amy jumped in. “Let’s go, so we aren’t late.”
“My dress does look fantastic on you,” Anna agreed, roving her eyes over my body.
The navy sundress with the tan skinny belt accentuated my curves and played up my eyes. “Thank you,” I said.
We climbed into Anna’s car. Anna and Amy in the front, me in the back.
“How’s your class doing?” I asked Amy, who taught second grade.
“I’m proud to report Dominic passed off his sight word list yesterday,” she announced. “Of course, he negotiated to get a Tootsie Roll for each word he read.”
I smacked her shoulder. “And you gave it to him?”
She peered over her shoulder at me. “I was out of stickers. So, yes, I did.”
Anna and I chuckled. “You’re a good teacher,” I said. “A pushover sometimes. But the kids adore you.” I assisted Amy in her classroom when she couldn’t get parents to help. She was so patient with them. I wished I had more of her qualities.
