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He’d asked to see me again, but my family was the biggest reason I’d once again refused. Part of me wished I’d done the opposite. I could now, I supposed. Text him. Ask if he still wanted to see me.
Not every relationship had such a miserable outcome. I mean, look at how great things turned out for Gabby and Adrian and for so many others.
But I shook that thought away, too. I just didn’t see how I could put any faith in a man, ever. Not after the way my own father had let me go so easily.
Relationships led to families. Families led to heartache. That was all there was to it.
I guess I shouldn’t be so cynical. I’d welcomed Gabby into my life readily enough. Grammy Carroll was dependable, as was Adelie and her sister Suzie.
Family wasn’tallbad.
But though I was close to them, cousins weren’t the same as immediate family.
My heart hadn’t just been trodden on. It’d been burned, betrayed, and broken so much the barriers I had in place were made of steel. I couldn’t let my guard down.
A pinging email alert sounded from my cell.
“That’s you,” Brandy called from her sewing machine.
“It’s me,” I agreed. “But where’s my phone?”
I rifled through piles of fabric. It took lifting the pre-cut stacks and the scraps I’d just gotten from Samantha at Ever After, along with those fresh from the store, before I finally located it below a red-and-black combination with candy canes.
I swiped to see a little number on the email icon. The sender was Ever After Sweet Shoppe.
Unlike the other emails I occasionally got from them, announcing promotions or discounts in their boutique shops, this was from Corporate.
“That’s weird,” I muttered.
Brandy spoke without looking up. “What?”
“I don’t usually get emails from Corporate Ever After. Usually, they’re from Stina or just ads.”
“Must be pretty important, then,” Brandy said. The whir of her machine began again.
The subject line read:An Invitation Especially for You.
My heart flipped. Was this from Hawk?
Curious, I tapped on the email. After skimming for a few moments and realizing it wasn’t from him personally, I ignored my disappointment and read aloud:
Dear Ms. Embers,
Christmas is a wonderful season of celebration, and one of the best ways we honor this beloved holiday here at Ever After Sweet Shoppe is by hosting an annual Christmas Ball. We delight in gathering our employees who work so hard the rest of the year together for one harmonious celebration, to thank them for all they do to keep Ever After Sweet Shoppe thriving all year round.
As a member of Ever After Sweet Shoppe’s exclusive custodial staff via Malus Custodial Management, you often slip through unseen. We at Human Resources believe your contribution is as vital as anyone else’s in the company and are pleased to extend an invitation to you to attend Mr. Danielson’s Honorary Christmas Ball to thank you for your hours of quiet, consistent service.
It will be held on Christmas Eve, December 24, from eight pm to midnight, at Ever After’s corporate office. As this is a formal event, come ready to dance the night away in your finest, formal attire. Refreshments will be served during the event. Please feel free to bring a single guest with you.
We hope to see you at the ball!
Sincerely,
Deanna Hunt, Human Resource Manager
I stared at the screen—at one phrase in particular:
Mr. Danielson’s Honorary Christmas Ball
