“Sure thing,” I tell her.

Within a few minutes, I’ve got the tree set up dead center in front of that window. When I turn to tell Amelia I’m leaving, she’s nowhere to be found. It’s her mother who greets me with a giant smile and a thankful attitude.

“I appreciate you setting it up so quickly! It’s a beautiful tree. I can’t wait to decorate it,” she gushes. “Please thank your boss from us. We’ll tell everyone where we got it.”

“I’ll make sure and mention it to him that you said that, ma’am,” I tell her, gesturing toward the back of the store. “Mind if I leave through that door?”

“Of course! I’ll escort you,” she says with a friendly smile.

The woman keeps up her chatter the entire way, and I nod and respond in all the right places, but I’m distracted. Looking around for the flawless woman one more time before I leave the store.

But she’s gone.

Three

Amelia

“So…we’ve been talking,” Candice starts, her focus zeroed in on me.

We’re at Milligan’s for happy hour. The bar isn’t far from the jewelry store, making it an easy walk. A few of my friends decided to get together, including Eleanor, who recently moved to Las Vegas to live with her hunky pro football playing boyfriend. She’s in town for the holiday and Candice’s upcoming nuptials.

She’s the sunshine to my dark cloud right now, so I’m glad she’s here. And when she’s paired up with Candice? It’s like there are two bright suns beaming down upon us, chasing away all the darkness. It’s also like I have no choice but to act cheerful.

“What have you been talking about?” I ask warily as my gaze scans the ladies sitting at this table.

They’re all here. It’s a big group of us and we’re sitting in a rounded booth, two pitchers of beer on the table in the center. None of us are what I would consider beer enthusiasts, but when the time calls for it, we’ll drink a few.

I suppose tonight the time calls for it.

“You need to pick yourself back up and start dating again,” Stella says without hesitation. She’s our determined friend. The tell-it-like-it-is friend. “Just because you broke up with—”

“Don’t say his name!” Candice interrupts, remembering my request months ago, after we first split up.

Stella sends me and Candice an annoyed glare before she continues. “Let’s try that again.” She clears her throat. “It’s been months since you ended your relationship with—him. And now, you need to get back up on that horse.”

“And ride that pony all night long,” Eleanor adds with a giggle, followed by a quiet burp she covers up with her fingers.

We all laugh. Clearly, someone is already a little buzzed.

“And luckily enough, I found you someone,” Candice announces with a giant grin, as if she’s about to offer me an early Christmas gift. “I think he’s perfect for you.”

The groan that escapes me can’t be helped. “Please don’t set me up with some stuffy banker you met at a fundraiser,” I say.