Page 341 of Screwged for Christmas

Two hundred eyeballs looked on and she swore she could hear the seconds tick by and the tiny gasps. The mayor walked across the stage with his clipboard and took notes, taking extra time when he noticed the Santa’s nipples also blinked. Ten minutes later she walked away with second place winner and a blender for her efforts. Ms. Lucille and Charles, on the other hand, made working as a duo look easy with their matching ugly sweaters.

As the cheers died down the flock of on-lookers migrated to the cookie contest a few feet over.

Silence fell over the crowd as the mayor ascended the stairs once again to perform the taste test that would determine if the Hardt and December feud would finally come to an end. Or if it would continue for another year. She predicted the latter, but she kept that to herself. If she mumbled even a word of her suspicions, Mr. December might need smelling salts with how the color had leached from his cheeks from worry.

From beside her Mrs. December made a sound of impatience and tugged Ivy’s hand into her own for support. “I think if this goes on for another year I might up and move to Florida. At least there I won’t have to worry about baking. It would be too hot!”

Ivy laughed lightly and wrapped her arms around her friend’s shoulders for support as they watched Dixen’s mayor take the first bite of Hardt’s then the second of Mr. December’s cookies.

Yep, she could tell by the way he equally rolled his eyes.

Mrs. December didn’t find the mayor’s expression at all funny. If she had known it would be so nerve-wracking Ivy would have offered to bring some of her eggnog and wine.

“TIE!” A commotion of cheers, whoops and boos rang out through the throng of people to the shocked expressions of Hardt and December.

“Called it!” Aspen hollered from beside her and confirmed her exact thoughts.

“Yep. I think everyone but the Decembers and Hardts saw that coming.”

“I think the mayor knows his answer before he even takes a bite.”

“True. He’s probably keeping the cookie feud going so he can get reelected each year. You know, so in the hopes of one day finally picking a favorite.”

“You have a twisted mind, Ivy Sunday.”

“I’ve been told. I’ve also been told my mind will eventually lead me to lonely crazy cat lady status.”

“Not if I can help it.” She smiled up at Aspen.

“Ivy? Is that you?”

Ivy turned and her heart sank to her feet as her stomach rolled into her throat.

Rage roared to life in her like a bolt of lightning struck.

“Lewis. What are you doing here?” Disgusted, she let it show on her face with every ounce she could muster.

“I…ugh…was hoping we could talk. I made a mistake.” His words came out a jumbled rush and for a second she thought she heard him wrong.

“A mistake?”

“I miss you, sweetheart. I didn’t realize how much I loved you.” Lewis looked between her and Aspen and she felt more than saw Aspen pull away from her.

Lewis dropped to one knee and her eyes nearly fell from their sockets. “What are you doing, Lewis? Get eh fuck up.”

Everyone was staring. This could not be happening. “Lewis. Get. The. Fuck. Up. You’re not wanted here.” She pulled at his arm.

This could not be happening. What did she ever do in her past life to muster the wrath of her Ivy Effect!

“Hey, Aspen,” called one of his crew. “We’re needed. Something is faulty with the switch to the tree. There’s smoke and sparks.”

Aspen quickly excused himself and she was left alone with Lewis on one knee and a crowd gathering thinking she was being proposed to.

“Ivy Sunday Winters.” He pulled a ring from his pocket, the one she’d mailed back to him, unable to actually face him after he humiliated her. She looked at the diamond, no longer caught in the shiny beauty of the rock or the passion she once had for all the plans she had worked out. But more disgusted with herself than him for not seeing past his slimy exterior. How could she have ever seen anything in him?

“There’s nothing to see here folks,” she turned and addressed the crowd, catching a glimpse of Aspen as he looked her way from the fire engine.

Fury from the depths of all those nights she’d wasted crying over Lewis came out in a fiery string. “No, Lewis. Not now and not ever.” She paused a moment, looking into his eyes. “Actually, I’m glad you’re here. This way I get to look into your eyes and tell you how much your actions hurt me. How much I trusted you and you betrayed that trust, you slimeball. You don’t get that back once it’s gone. I wish you happiness and I take mine back from you, Lewis. My fate and future are no longer held captive by you. I will not marry you, take you back or even entertain the idea of being friends. That’s earned, just like my trust, doucheface.” She turned on her heel to the sound of cheers and atta-girls from the crowd. One, in particular, caught her attention and she stopped midstride.

---