Page 74 of Second Chance Christmas

“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 for 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.

“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 SEVENTEEN

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

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