Page 22 of The Holiday Ex-Files

Ben stood nearby, and for a brief second I saw the fumes in his eyes. He obviously wasn’t a happy camper about the car. So, I took the time to rub it in a bit. Miss Sparkly even agreed I should.

“How precious is this. I bet it’s like the gift that just keeps on giving. She’s a keeper.” I almost gagged saying it, but I got so much satisfaction out of seeing his mouth drop and ears burn, like Andrew had taken a flat iron to them.

Ben shoved his hands in his pockets. “You, of all people, should know I hate it.”

“Funny how that is. I knew everything about you, but it was never good enough.” My stupid voice hitched. I stomped off. Mad at myself for showing how much his betrayal still hurt.

Ben followed, jogging to keep up with my long, swift legs. “Cami, wait.”

I picked up the pace.

“Cami, please.” He tugged on my sleeve.

I stopped and glowered, telling him with my eyes to not touch me. Ever.

He let go, but his eyes held me in place, searching and searching my own. “I forgot how beautiful you are,” he blurted.

For a moment I was stunned into silence. He had no right to talk to me like that, especially after making me believe I was anything but beautiful. “You also forgot we were married.”

If only I could forget that.

Chapter Seven

Hey, Ex-Filers, I wanted to thank you for all your “Letting Go” posts today. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen so many pictures of clothes on fire. I know I don’t say this enough, but thank you. You have no idea how much I needed you all today. I should probably also mention that some of you should invest in a fire extinguisher. Stay safe out there.

Lots of love,

Cami

I clicked publish, a half-smile playing on my lips. Normally, it would be a wide grin thinking of all the pyrotechnics I was treated to today, but my run-in with Ben was still getting to me like a chigger that had burrowed deep in my skin, irritating me to no end. I purposefully didn’t mention him by name in any of my posts. He would never have the satisfaction of knowing how much he could still vex me.

I trudged up the stairs of the private entrance to my condo, pretending I was stepping on Ben’s big head each time my foot landed. He had no right to call me beautiful, or to tell the family whose home I had photographed today how talented I was. He talked about me like a proud husband. Like he used to. It didn’t sit well with me. At. All. I let him know when we left to never talk about me like that again. He had no right to. He had the gall to throw this zinger at me: “I’m only trying to do the right thing.”

What? I had no words. I still had none. I didn’t even know what he meant, and I didn’t bother to ask him. My only hope was to drown myself in cheesecake and forget about our encounter. But like the chiggers that needed major suffocation, I knew it wasn’t going away anytime soon. Thankfully, Mara always knew how to make me feel better. I’d vented to her earlier. Before I could unlock my door, she texted.

Mara: Big brother is now signed up for the newsletters for Cat Faeries and ten new politicians up for reelection. He’ll be spammed for eternity. Bahahaha. Love you.

Mara had me full-on smiling. Her revenge specialty was being able to find the worst email list possible for her victim and sign them up. She’d added Claudia to AARP’s and at least a dozen cosmetic surgeons’ lists. Claudia was incensed that people would think she was over fifty-five and would ever even think about surgically enhancing herself. If ever Mara heard her complain about it, she signed her up for another one. As Mara would say, Not all heroes wear capes; some of us just have swift fingers and a wicked sense of humor. She was a hero in my book.

Me: You’re the best. Love you, girl.

I unlocked my door and walked in to find Neville waiting at the door for me, looking up at me as if I’d betrayed him, yet again, for leaving him behind. I would actually take him with me if he didn’t require a sedative just to travel to the vet’s office.

I knelt and he quickly forgave me when he scrambled to jump into my arms. I carried Neville and all my gear to the living room to dump my bag and laptop case on the couch before I took him out to do his business. Once I unloaded my stuff, I squeezed Neville and kissed his furry head. “Oh, buddy, I had a day today. Not only did I have a run-in with my ex, but I’ve been talking to myself more.”

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