“They’re for Gail. Do you mind?”

I couldn’t believe he asked me for the roses. I thought about breaking them over his head, but then I paused, deciding to be civil.

“I mean, if you want to keep them you can, but—”

“Here!” I handed the roses to Curtis. He then turned to Gail and handed them to her. They both turned and began walking away.

“Happy holidays, Montana,” he said.

“Eat shit and die, Curtis.”

“I believe I’ll pass on that one, amen.”

Watching them both walk off into the distance, I must have stood in the same spot for at least an hour. I couldn’t believe that Gail had actually moved in on my man. So this is what it’s all about? Everybody’s in it to win it for themselves. Cool. I get it now. I really get it now. Every woman for herself.

With cell phone in hand, dialing, dialing, dialing. Ringing, ringing, ringing. Finally, a voice picked up on the other end.

“Hello?”

“Hey, it’s Montana.”

“Montana, I was just thinking about you.”

“I was thinking about you too. Which is actually why I called. I’ve got some good news. At least it’s good news to me. Hopefully it’ll be good to you too. I’ve had time to think about your offer and…”

“And what?”

“And I accept. We’ll make it official Christmas Eve at my sister’s engagement party here in Baltimore. Plus, that’ll give you an opportunity to meet my family. I can’t wait to see you again either. Bye-bye.”

Cell phone off and with a sinister grin, I started walking down the corridor, thinking to myself that if revenge was sweet, I was sure to have a mouth full of cavities by Christmas morning.

Chapter 16

10:30 A.M. EST
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24TH “E-DAY”

9 HOURS AND 30 MINUTES UNTIL
THE MOMENT OF TRUTH

The alarm clock buzzed. Rolling over, I squinted while my eyes focused on Muggly, who was staring at the flashing red numbers on the clock.

“Meoowww.”

“Yep, Muggly, it sure is. Today is the day.”

It was December 24. Finally it was here. After nearly thirty days and thirty-five years, Christmas Eve was finally here.

Running just enough water over my face, brushing just enough strokes across my teeth, quickly throwing on some kick-around clothes and grabbing my coat, I ran out of my apartment headed for my manicure, pedicure appointment. Manicure and pedicure done. Now on to my hair stylist. A few snips. A few flips. Done. Then headed back home, where it was now a couple hours and counting until the event.