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Mark studies my face, then dips his head in defeat. “Why do I get the feeling you already have a plan?”
I grin. “Well, that’s the best part. I have two weeks off, so the timing is perfect.”
“The timing for…?”
“My ex list.”
Mark merely lifts his beer, takes a sip, and waits.
“My ex list,” I repeat, “is the list I’ll put together of all my ex-boyfriends. I’m going to reconnect with each one to figure out which one is the one. It’ll be my Christmas gift to myself—after all, the lady did say I’d find him before Christmas.”
He snorts. “Got it. So, there’s an expiration date.”
“No, more of a…” I wave my hand. “Sometimes the stars just have to align, and you’ve got to be quick on your feet.”
My best friend stares at me for a long moment, then shakes his head. “Any chance I can opt out of all involvement in this plan?”
I put a wriggling Rigby on the ground and stand. “None. But for now, you get a reprieve, because I need to get home and start putting together my list.”
“I just poured that wine.”
I lift the glass in thanks. “Good thing I’ve got a thirty-second walk home. Come on, Rigby, grab your new bone.”
Mark shakes his head as the dog and I go out the back door.
I resume my singing. “Have yourself a merry little Christmas, have yourself a merry little Christmas…”
If all goes according to plan, it’ll be a very merry little Christmas indeed.
Kelly Byrne’s Ex List: Version One
Jack Chance: Hot. Funny. Very promising. Also, good friends with Mark. Tricky.
Joey Russo: High school boyfriend. Super sweet, but…well, it’s been a long time. Worth looking into.
Chad Morrister: Great listener, solid sense of humor. Broke up because he was older and my early-twenties self wasn’t ready for what he was offering. Maybe now I am ready?
Doug Porter: Rebound guy. Maybe I didn’t give him enough of a chance?
Stephen Hill: We always laughed a lot. I like a guy I can laugh with.
Adam Bartley: Blah. I can’t remember what color eyes he has; that’s not a great sign.
Colin Austin: Best guy I ever dated. Also broke my heart, soooo…
December 16, Saturday Morning
“I don’t feel good about this. Rodger, do you feel good about this? This isn’t right.”
I bite back a yawn and take another sip of coffee from the travel mug. “It’s right, Mom. You and Dad never do anything for your anniversary because it falls so close to Christmas. Your thirtieth wedding anniversary needs to be about you two. Okay?”
Her hands flutter anxiously, and I reach across the back of the truck cab to still them with my own.
Normally I’d be relishing my first morning of Christmas vacation by sleeping in, followed by waffles and a Christmas movie on the Hallmark Channel. Instead, I’m airport bound with my parents in tow.
Now, a little bit about my parents…
You know how the minimalist lifestyle is sort of trendy right now? That idea that less is more? Sally and Rodger Byrne totally didn’t get the memo. Not only is their house straight out of a reality TV show about hoarders, but their penchant for stuff extends to traveling as well. So I’m sure you
