Page 1 of Sugar Plum Dreams

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“At least you have the tits to break up with me over voice and not text."

Cinnamon Kringle looked down at the face of her phone. The picture of the smiling, rainbow-haired woman grinned back at her. The sweet image did not match the sour words coming from the phone’s receiver.

“Don’t be like that, Cin. It was fun, you and me.“

Fun. The word echoed in Cin’s mind like a mocking taunt. She scratched at her temple, barely resisting the urge to dig her nails deeper, as if clawing at her own skin might somehow erase the memory of Angelika Hargrove.

Angel. What a joke. Angelika was anything but.

Cin had always known better, but still, she had fallen into the same trap—again. A straight woman, eager for a fling, and Cin, foolish enough to believe she could change her. Her tongue might be skilled enough to talk a woman's panties off. Expert enough to get them to scream and writhe beneath its flicks. But not long enough to reach up through their pussies and into their hearts.

She had told herself this time would be different. That maybe Angelika could really see her, want her. But as always, it endedwith a pat on the head and a polite dismissal, leaving Cin with nothing but the hollow ache of knowing she'd been used for a bit of fun.

Her habit of chasing straight women was a lesson she never seemed to learn, like pulling at a loose thread in one of her designs until everything unraveled. And yet, she still kept falling for them, thinking maybe this time the ending would be different. It never was.

For a homosexual woman, her gaydar truly was broken. While the girls in her dorm had been experimenting with each other in college, Cin had always known that she was a breast woman. At her California art school, she'd kept her eyes on women's chests while at the beach, completely ignoring the muscle-bound stallions with their pecs out.

"I hope we can still be friends."

That was the second mistake. Cin had a habit of trying to maintain a friendship with women that she was interested in. That nonsense stopped today.

“I was never interested in friendship with you, Angelika.“

"But we have so much in common."

Not the most important thing. Namely, their idea of the perfect life partner. Cin had enjoyed her time with Angelika. She'd thought it would turn into something more. What a fool she was.

"I really value you in my life and hope that?—"

Click. Cin hung up the phone mid-monologue. She'd heard this speech far too many times in the past. She knew the lines by heart.

Sitting back in her plush office seat, Cin thrust her head back and stared up at the ceiling. The bright lights hurt her eyes, but she didn't look away, not immediately. She wanted the harsh glare to etch this memory, this moment, into her mind. When the ache in her eyes became too much, she dipped her headforward and was greeted by a riot of color, her designs bursting to life around her.

Swathes of rich candy cane red fabric sprawled across the room, trimmed with snowy white faux fur that shimmered under the lights. Dresses with delicate sweetheart necklines and playful puffed sleeves were draped over mannequins, ready for Christmas soirees. Each one sparkled with a hint of silver thread, like fresh frost glittering in the early morning light.

To the side, a collection of women’s lingerie hung from racks, the delicate lace in deep reds and winter whites practically glowing. Soft satin ribbons threaded through corsets, while intricate embroidery danced across sheer fabrics, invoking the imagery of snowflakes melting on skin. Cin had crafted each piece to feel both festive and intimate, designed to be unwrapped, like the most tantalizing of gifts.

In another corner, elegant evening gowns shimmered, the skirts flowing like winter rivers, embellished with tiny pearls that glistened like fallen snow. Cin had ensured that every stitch, every detail, screamed holiday magic—bold yet refined, sexy yet sophisticated. It was her Christmas kingdom, all wrapped in the reds and whites of the season, her vision brought to life in silk, satin, and lace.

Her job as the head designer and seamstress of Kringle's Knotty or Nice Intimates was her dream job. The Kringle family was all about Christmas, 365 days a year. But her parents had never been accepting of Cin being more into Mrs. Claus. Luckily for her, her brother had always accepted her. Noel had brought her into the company and used her talents to reach even higher profits.

She was the most famous designer for Christmas wear, from socks to sweaters that weren't ugly. From ball gowns to cocktail dresses to costumes, Cin did it all.

She often made a play for the models brought in to showcase her designs. Many of them were sexually fluid, but they often jumped when a man snapped his fingers, their fluid turning solid when they saw the possibility for a tripod. Cin was done with all of them. She was only going to date card-carrying lesbian women from here on out. She just needed to find a way to vet those cards.

That was easily handled.

Cin opened her laptop and pulled up her browser, her fingers quickly navigating to the HerMatch dating app. As soon as she signed in, a cascade of beautiful faces glittered across the screen. But the profiles, as always, left her feeling cold. Everyone was presenting their best selves—curated smiles, polished hobbies, and carefully crafted descriptions. No one showed the messy truth. Even dislikes were worded to sound appealing.

Cin sighed, wishing for more authenticity. Still, at least this time, she wouldn't have to worry about being left for a man. A knock at her door pulled her attention to the figure that filled the hall. Her brother Noel was in the doorway.

“She signed the paperwork,” he said with a Grinch-wide grin.

"Who?"

“Mindy.”

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