by R. R. Banks
"It says it's for a Black Friday in March sale."
"Black Friday in March?" my sister asked. "Hold on." I listened as she ruffled through her mail. "Wait, yes, I did get one."
"It says it's for some store called Partridge. Do you know that store?"
"I've never heard of it." I flipped the card over and looked at the address. A small map in the corner showed that the store was located in a shopping center not far from my house, but I had never seen it. "What do you think it's all about?"
"I have no idea, but it says that it's going to be exactly like a traditional Black Friday sale, so I'm in. How about you?"
"It's March," I said. "I'm still barely over Christmas. What do we need with another Black Friday sale?"
"It's never too early to shop for Christmas," Constance said, sounding horrified at my lack of seasonally inappropriate spirit. "Besides, there's no law that says that what you buy at a Black Friday sale has to be for Christmas. We have a big family. There are birthdays coming up and at least three of our cousins are pregnant. I think it's closer to five, but a couple of them aren't talking yet. You can only use turkey as an excuse for so long, though. And maybe there'll be a wedding or two sometime soon."
The mention of a wedding made my heart sink and I felt familiar emotion that I had been fighting for months creeping back into my mind.
"Yeah," I said.
"Oh, Cristina," Constance said, the excitement that had been building in her voice now gone. "I'm sorry. I didn't even think. I'm sorry I said that."
"It's alright," I said, shaking my head in that way that seemed to mean I still hadn't grasped the idea that people couldn't see me when I was talking to them over the phone. "It is what it is. I have to get past it. I really don't have a choice."
"Maybe a little bit of shopping is exactly what you need."
"You're right," I said. "This will be good for me. Call up the rest of the girls and start working out a plan."
"Good. I'm really excited."
"I'll talk to you soon."
When I had hung up, I looked down at the flyer again. The thought of going to a Black Friday sale, even if it was in the wrong month, in a store that wasn't Josh's did hold a certain amount of appeal. Though I hadn't really had the opportunity to save up a budget, especially after going without a job for nearly three weeks, thinking about shopping in a different place seemed cathartic. It felt like the retail version of getting over your cheating boyfriend by sleeping with his friend.
I looked at the front of the card and felt my heart sink again. I knew that the date had looked familiar when I pulled the flyer out of the mailbox and read it for the first time. The sale was happening on Josh's wedding day.
This realization made me even more determined to go. I had penciled in a good amount of crying, self-loathing, and despair that day, but now that I had an alternative I was going to have to break my plans with myself. If there was anything that might be able to distract me from the pain that I knew I was going to be feeling that day, it was going to be shopping. After all, Great Aunt Mirna's birthday was coming up and she was going to need a lighter weight replacement for the electric blanket. Getting her to use it might be a feat, though. She had plugged herself in on Christmas and I wasn't entirely convinced that she had unplugged herself since.
Two weeks later I stood on my front porch in the dark waiting for Constance to show up. After my disappearing act at real Black Friday, she wasn't taking any chances and insisted that she act as carpool leader for the day. It was a role that she was born for and another sign that she needed to hurry up and find the man who was going to give her children because she had skills that were wasting. Finally, her van pulled up and the door spontaneously slid open. I rolled my eyes and walked over to the driveway to climb inside.
"You know I hate when you use the automatic door," I said as I hooked my seatbelt.
"It's still cold out there. It's convenient."
"It's creepy. I don't like feeling like I have a ghost chauffeur that's ushering me into the van of doom."
"You really are so pleasant first thing in the morning," Maria said from beside me.
"I don't think that this counts as first thing in the morning. This is pre-morning."
"You never complain about it in November."
"It seems earlier than in November."
I knew that I was being completely irrational and that at this point my sisters would have been justified in just pitching me out of the van and letting me fend for myself. They seemed to understand, though, that the day was hitting me even harder than I had expected. Thoughts of the sale had helped to keep my thoughts distracted over the last two weeks, but now that the day was actually here, and the sun was getting ready to rise on the day that Josh would marry Willa, all of the painful emotions were surging back to me. I really wanted to just curl back up in bed and spend the rest of the day following through with my original plan. If it hadn't been for Constance and her carpool, I likely would have.
We rode in silence the rest of the short drive to the shopping center. As we approached I immediately noticed that the parking lot was filling up. Cars were packing the lot and streaming in from both sides. I remembered the gridlock that had happened in November and felt an unexpected smile come to my lips. The line at the door was already forming and as soon as the car stopped, we jumped out and rushed for it. I was starting to feel the adrenaline rush, though it wasn't as strong as it usually was.
All around me I heard people muttering about the new store, whispering to each other about how strange it was that no one knew this store was even opening and its first announcement came in the form of the sale flyer. That did seem strange to me, but as I saw all of the people swarming the lot, I realized that it was actually the most brilliant marketing I had ever seen. The little flyer itself had been the only advertising and no other details about the store itself, the sale, or what might be offered had been given, and yet people were coming in droves. Some wanted to recapture some of the magic of the Christmas season as the last remnants of the after-season faded. Some were eager to get a head start on shopping for this year or to fill up their gift closets to be ready for whatever events or spontaneous family members might arise. Others were just curious about it and wanted to be a part of something unprecedented and new. Whatever the reasoning, they were crowding the sidewalk and trickling into the parking lot. I was glad that it was so early and that the other businesses in the shopping center weren't open yet. I couldn't imagine that they would be very happy to have their stores blocked by the crowds waiting to get into Partridge.
Finally, the doors to the store opened and we streamed inside. I looked around, trying to take in what was around me so I could identify where I wanted to go first. It looked like a scaled-down version of a department store, but I noticed an abundance of Thanksgiving and Christmas-related items. Though the space was smaller than many of the other stores in the area, particularly Josh's and the Sommers’ stores, it didn't feel cramped. Instead, it felt cozy and welcoming,
We ran around the store looking at the displays and sales signs. There were some spectacular deals and I quickly formed a pile in my cart. This seemed like the day that my emergency credit card was going to get taken for a spin.
"Look at that."
Suzanna was standing close beside me and I saw her pointing ahead of us. I followed her finger and saw a sign hanging from the ceiling over a collection of racks and displays tucked into a corner.
"Does that say what I think it says?" she asked.
"Distractamabobs," I read.
I couldn't believe what I was seeing. That was a word that my sisters and I had made up years before. What were the chances that someone else would come up with the same thing?
We walked up to the section and noticed smaller signs on the displays.
Not deeply discounted, but still a pretty good price.
Not discounted at all, but a limited-time item that is only while supplies last.
&n
bsp; Discounted a little, but will probably have a better discount soon.
Not discounted and something that's here all the time.
I was starting to say something to my sister when I heard a voice come over the store announcement system.
"Hello, everybody. I want to thank you for coming out for the grand opening Black Friday in March celebration of Partridge -- a place for things your family actually wants and your source for Christmas all year. I'm working on that slogan. It will get better. There is a very important shopper here with us today and I wanted to give her her next assignment. Shopper, if you're listening, you are shopping for an incredible woman named Cristina. She is sweet and kind and gorgeous, but also the most courageous, strongest woman I have ever known. She isn't fond of Chinese takeout except from Lucky Star, she makes amazing macaroni and cheese, and she is what I hope to be thankful for every Thanksgiving for the rest of my life."
I felt myself trembling and the breath seemed to be caught in my throat. Around me the store had gone silent, but I could hear the pounding of my heart in my ears and Josh's voice swirling around me as if he was surrounding me.
"I know it's a bit of a challenge," he continued, and I realized that his voice now sounded like he was standing right behind me. "But it's OK if you can't think of anything. I think I've already found the perfect gift."
I turned around and saw Josh standing a few feet behind me. He handed the handheld announcement microphone to the employee standing beside him and reached into his pocket. I felt tears pool under my eyes and trickle onto my cheeks when he withdrew a small black velvet box and lowered down onto one knee. He opened the box to display a shimmering ring.
"I have to admit," he whispered, his voice low enough so that only I could hear him. "It's a bit of a doorbuster. It's the only one in the whole store."
I laughed through the tears and took a step closer to him.
"What is all this?" I whispered.
"I haven't stopped thinking about you since you walked away from me that day in the office," he said, standing to his feet and closing the space between us. "I knew that I needed to do something that could show you what I never had the opportunity to tell you. I created this store for you. It's going to be Thanksgiving and Christmas all year, with other things coming in throughout the different seasons. And if other stores can have Christmas in July, then we can damn well have Black Friday in March. We'll make sure that the sales are transparent and fair, and those who are willing to get started early with us in the spring will get a few surprises to help them get ready for the holiday season when the time comes."
"We?" I asked.
Josh nodded.
"I chose this day very purposefully. I wanted something to cover up the memory of what would have been the worst decision I could have ever made. This day was meant to represent a new beginning, and now it has. Wilton Sommers and I have been in discussions and I will be taking over his stores, operating his chain as well as my own according to my family's traditions and those traditions that I am starting for myself. Traditions that I hope you will share with me." He lowered to one knee again. "I may never be able to make up for the hurt that I caused you, but I can promise you that every day I will strive to love you so much you will never question it. You came to me when I needed you most, Cristina, even though I might not have seen it. Now I'm asking you to always be here with me, to never leave my side again, to make sure that I always know when I've lost my way and to reel me back in. Will you marry me?"
I nodded, unable to speak. Josh grinned widely and climbed to his feet, slipping the ring onto my finger amidst the applause and cheers from around us. He pulled me in and his mouth covered mine in a sweet, fulfilling kiss. When our mouths parted he leaned close to my ear.
"If you look closely you'll notice it's actually five bands melded to each other. Because everyone wants jewelry for Christmas."
Epilogue
The smell of flowers laced the air and a warm summer breeze touched my shoulders. All around me people laughed, and delicate clinking sounds marked countless toasts that popped up in the crowd of guests like tiny bubbles bursting in champagne.
"She is a beautiful bride," I heard from beside me.
I nodded and smiled, my eyes still on the dancefloor in front of me.
"Yes, she is," I said happily.
Josh wrapped his arm around my waist and leaned down to kiss my cheek.
"The bride and groom would like to invite their family and friends to join them on the dancefloor now," the DJ announced from his booth at the end of the reception hall.
Josh offered me his hand and I took it, letting him guide me out onto the floor and sweep me into his arms for a dance. I looked to my side and saw my mother laughing, her head thrown back as Detective Jeremy dipped her, then pulled her up close for a kiss. I sighed and rested my head on Josh's chest, letting the sheer happiness flow through me.
"I still think he married her to save the mileage," Josh joked.
I laughed and nodded.
"It will be much more convenient to listen to her reports about me missing whenever she forgets that I'm not living with her anymore if he is."
"So, when will you not be living with her anymore?" Suzanna asked as she danced her way up beside us.
Her husband was concentrating hard on counting his steps, which gave her plenty of time to stand and talk to us, though she was rocking back and forth rather sharply as he tried to lead her.
"I've been asking her the same question," Josh said,
"After the wedding," I said. "Both of you know that I said I wouldn't move Matteo or me in with anyone unless we were married, and I'm sticking to that."
Josh sighed dramatically, but I could see the smile on his delicious full lips.
"You sure do have a lot of rules."
"Yes, I do. "
"Then when is the wedding?" Suzanna asked.
"She won't make up her mind," Josh told her.
"There are so many options!" I protested. "I've never known what it was like before to literally be able to have anything that I wanted."
"And you can," Josh said, twirling me around and then kissing me.
"Why don't the two of you get married in the window at Partridge?"
I laughed.
"I think that was done already. Think campy eighties movie."
"It's not such a bad idea," Josh said.
"You can't be serious," I replied.
"Why not? What could be a better way to kick off a holiday shopping season than a wedding?"
"Are you suggesting what I think you are?" I asked.
"Absolutely. What do you say?" He spun me out, then curled me back in and dipped me, bringing his face down close to mine. "Midnight on Black Friday?"
I kissed the end of his nose.
"It's a date."
THE END
Her Hunk
I'll risk everything to save her...
Hunter
She's sexy as hell, and everything I'm looking for.
She's prim and proper, and she intimidates the f*ck out of me.
I let her go once, but I won't make that same mistake twice.
Especially, now that she's in danger.
I'm falling for Eleanor, and I'll do everything to protect her...
Eleanor
Hunter was the perfect distraction.
A night with him was supposed to be filled with pleasure.
Hunter with his crystal green eyes, and his sex-pack abs.
I thought I would never see him again.
But then he saved my life.
Now, if we can get out of this alive.
I can tell him who I really am...
Chapter One
Eleanor
“Why now? Why fucking now?”
The gold and red carpet felt rough beneath my feet, making them sting as I ran down the narrow hallway. There was nothing like the corridors of the lower levels of a cruise ship to make me regret that extra serving of cheesecake.
I had removed the heels that I had so carefully chosen for the night after I started running and they were dangling from my fingers now. No way in hell I was going to let them go. The terrifying-looking goomba behind me might be getting closer, but I wasn’t about to drop those shoes. That didn’t mean that I was going to twist my ankle on them and go out like one of those simpering blondes in a 50’s horror movie though, so I would just keep holding them from their straps and contemplate all of the ways that I could use them as a weapon if the need came along. As I ran, my heart pumped fear through my veins, causing the blood to rush in my ears and blur all sound around me. I tried to listen for the sound of the man chasing me, but I couldn’t hear it. Was it possible that I had actually gotten away from him?
I knew those three months I spent cruising would have some actual real-world benefit at some point. Using my extensive knowledge of the layout of most ships in this cruise line wasn’t exactly the benefit I was hoping for, but at that moment, I would take it.
There was no one else in the seemingly endless hallway, but I couldn't decide if that was helping me or if it was making my frantic run more terrifying. If there was someone else there, they might help me, or could act as a deterrent for the man chasing me, even if they didn’t realize that they were doing anything. I could just pause sort of near them and hope that their presence would spook the man and make him go away. Kind of like those tiny home security system signs that people stick in their front yards even if they don’t actually have an active system. Of course, considering the luck that I was having that night, I would run right into the protective arms of the man’s partner.
I finally came to a curve in the hallway and took a moment to orient myself as I followed it. I wasn’t sure how long I had been running and was starting to lose track of how far I had gone and where in the enormous cruise ship my haphazard course had brought me. Had I run past the hairdresser three floors up, or four? Were there more levels of interior rooms below me or had I gotten all the way down to the bottom of the guest portion of the ship? The thought of being this far down always unnerved me. Even though I knew in the logical part of my mind that it wasn’t the case, whenever I roamed this far into the lowest passenger levels I felt like I was going underwater. There was a reason that I had always avoided the submarine rides onshore. And at amusement parks. Or sticking my head under the surface to rinse my hair in the bath.