Page 9 of Gift Wrapped

DomBrae: But the same goes for your asshat ex.

Ligress28: I know. But as long as you don’t want to spend the next eighteen months having me take care of you while you forget that I’m part of whatever this is, we’ll be fine.

DomBrae: I’m sorry that happened to you.

Ligress28: I let that happen to me. No more though. I am ready to move on with my future.

DomBrae: That’s good.

Talking to him has me relaxed or that may be the wine doing its work. My phone rings and I set the laptop aside to take the call. I don’t recognize the number, but I’m not the type of person to just let it go to voicemail.

Ligress28: I’ll be right back.

“Hello,” I answer.

“Babe,” I hear Chad’s slurred voice down the line.

“What do you want, Chad?”

I know he is drunk and probably in some kind of bar. I can hear the music in the background.

“I love you,” he mumbles. “Can’t we talk and fix this?”

“No.”

“How can you be so heartless?” he complains. “It’s basically Christmas.”

“It’s simple Chad. You don’t love me, I’m just another person you can use to get whatever you want and I’m tired. And you hate Christmas, so don’t try to make me feel bad.”

“You know what?” he snaps down the line. “I’m glad this is finally over. I don’t have to pretend to love you. Hell, I can’t even stand looking at your fat ass.”

There’s that ugly side Chad hides so well when he is sober.

“Fuck. Off.” I hang up and throw my cell phone down beside me on the bed.

I chug the glass of wine before refilling it. I didn’t think there was anything else he could do to hurt me, but clearly, I was wrong. He always told me how much he loved my curves, but now I know it was all a lie.

Ligress28: Do you like curvy girls?

DomBrae: What brought on that question?

Ligress28: I hate when people answer a question with a question, but I will give you that one. I just had an argument with my ex, and he said he was glad he didn’t have to look at my fat ass again.

I watch him type a reply, but he never sends it. Then he types again and again.

DomBrae: Here’s my number. Send me a photo if you want an honest opinion.

I stare at the screen for so long that the words swim in my vision. Do I want an honest opinion?

Do I care what a stranger thinks? Jumping from the bed, I rip off the t-shirt and shorts that I’m wearing. Standing in front of my full-length mirror, I take no less than ten photos of myself in my lacy purple underwear before I find one that I like. I crop out my face, save his number under the same name as his screen name, take a deep breath, and send. It takes a moment for him to reply, and he doesn’t use the app, instead texting me directly.

DomBrae: You take good care of yourself. That much is clear. You have beautiful legs, and your tits are stunning. I would never use the word fat to describe you.

Ligress28: Flattery will get you everywhere.

DomBrae: I don’t have to flatter you. You could decide to never meet me.

I let his words sit with me for a moment. He really doesn’t have any ulterior motives. We may or may not meet each other. I read his words again. Looking at myself in the mirror, I try to see myself the way he would. The way a stranger would. I smile.

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