Page 342 of Screwged for Christmas

“Gran?” She gasped, shocked.

“Yes, sweetie.” Warm, comforting arms wrapped around her as the crowd dispersed and Lewis lumbered across the square to a waiting car and slipped from her life.Adios bitch!A weight lifted and she felt a million times lighter. As though anything could happen now. Anything in the world.

Ivy pulled back, “What are you doing here? I’ve only called you a thousand times!”

“Harry and I just arrived. I got each of your calls, but I see you handled everything with a magnificent Winters flare. That’s my girl.” Gran hugged her again. “Now, let’s catch the tree lighting and then we can have a nice long chat back at the B&B. You can tell me how you and Aspen are doing and I’ll tell you all about how Harry proposed.”

“Gran!”

“Surprise.” Gran flashed a beautiful golden band with a solitaire diamond that caught the light.

“You never disappoint, Gran. You know they sent me here to keep you from doing crazy shit. I’m going to get fired.”

“Not if I can help it. Besides, who says what’s crazy and what’s not?” They found a place in the crowd and watched as the mayor once again performed his duty.

Lights went on and the crowd cheered, but Ivy couldn’t focus or enjoy the magical moment.

Aspen was gone.

CHAPTER 17

Ivy stared at the ceiling not really seeing anything past the events of the previous night.

Lewis that fucktard. God she wished she could erase that man from her life, her memory.

A plethora of should-wouldas.

She rolled over on her stomach and buried her face in the warmth of her comforter. About the only thing that felt right lately. That wasn’t true. Not entirely. Aspen felt right. But where had he gone off to? She hoped like hell he didn’t think she wanted to get back with Lewis.

Her memories fell back to the way Aspen had her gasping and moaning all through their shared sleigh ride.

Amazing didn’t begin to describe how wonderful the night had gone. Aspen, hot and hard for her, snowflakes, hellacious orgasms, warm blankets and a sleigh.

Her heart quivered at the thought of how peaceful her world turned the second his arms slipped around her and pulled her into his warmth.

Their conversation rolled through her mind.

She flipped over and caught the graceful flutters of flakes coming down outside. Like opportunities and promises, once they slipped past they were gone forever lost in a sea of pure blank white noise.

While Lewis sat up there with mistakes she wished she could forget, Aspen made her feel hopeful again. She’d called him last night but he did not answer. How he fit into her overall plan she didn’t know yet.

She sighed heavily and sent a lock of hair into the air and she threw her arm over her face to block out the encroaching morning light.

“Are you going to wallow in your self-pity all morning or get up and have some donuts and coffee with me?”

Max rustled in the blanket next to her and jumped down from the bed as Ivy sat up. Her hair a complete mess just like her life. “Are you actually giving me a choice?”

“Not really, but I thought I would offer, anyway. I’ll give you ten before I eat all the jelly-filled bear claws.”

“You’re getting too good at this blackmailing stuff, Gran. You pick up a side job I should know about along with your new fiancé?”

“If I told you I would have to…”

“Gran!” Ivy exclaimed, loving her all the more for the attempt at cutting through the morning blahs with humor.

Gran opened the door wider and brought around one of those aforementioned jelly bear claws and took a healthy bite that had her stomach growling.

“You play dirtier than a politician.”

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