Page 57 of All I Want is You this Christmas Final

Mittens didn’t even open her eyes as Anna Beth left the room. She sat in her car for ten minutes, waiting for it to warm up and checked her phone. The last text she’d received from Jared at six in the morning featured a bear, poking his head out of a dumpster while "good morning, brunch?" flashed across the screen. She hadn’t bothered to respond. If he couldn’t shoot her a personal message, he could sit on read.

What the heck did he expect? It had been a long time since she’d been with another man, but she didn’t remember dating being quite this hard. Then again, her best friend preferred to hook up with someone she loathed rather than have a meaningful relationship, so maybe Anna Beth was the crazy one.

Fifteen minutes later, she walked into Tammy’s shop and found Olive holding up two sheer baby doll negligees, one in green and the other in red.

“I really think I like the green one,” Olive said.

Tammy stood in front of her with her hands on her hips, her sassy mohawk shimmering with silver glitter. She wore a black top with the word "CHEERS" in sequins and her pants were black with silver paint splatters all over them.

“I wouldn’t lie to you, baby girl. Buy the red one. His tongue will fall out of his head when he sees you in it.”

Tammy caught sight of Anna Beth and waved her forward. “Anna Beth, back me up. Red over green, don’t you agree?”

Olive turned her way and waved the two nighties at her. “Seriously, which one?”

Anna Beth looked between the two and smiled sheepishly. “I like the red.”

“Whoo hoo!” Tammy crowed.

“Damn it!” Olive said. “I know it’s hot but the green is so pretty.”

“Why don’t you get them both?” Anna Beth asked. “Let whoever you’re wearing them for decide.”

Tammy tapped one of her perfectly manicured nails to her lip thoughtfully. “I like it.” Tammy held out her arms. “Bring it in, you!”

Anna Beth laughed and hugged the other woman. She loved Tammy’s warm, exuberant nature.

“Now, what can I do for you?” Tammy asked.

“We’re doing a girl’s night tonight and Anna Beth needs something sexy.” Olive did a little shimmy for emphasis.

Anna Beth rolled her eyes. “I really don’t.”

“Why not?” Tammy asked.

“Why not, what?”

“Why don’t you need something sexy? It’s alright to dress up and embrace your sexuality. Let me ask you something, do your bra and panties match?”

Anna Beth sputtered. “I…well, I’m wearing…”

Tammy looked up toward the ceiling, as though praying for strength. “I don’t even know why I asked, I can tell by your uni-boob you’re wearing a sports bra and, girl, no man wants to take off your shirt and see that underneath.”

“I’m not showing any man my bra,” Anna Beth huffed.

Olive set her lingerie down on the counter. “Do you see what I’m dealing with?” Tammy nodded sympathetically and Olive took Anna Beth’s shoulders in her hands. “My friend, you are in desperate need of fun.”

“I have fun,” Anna Beth grumbled.

“No you have work. When is the last time you cut loose?”

Anna Beth bit her lip, wracking her brain for an answer that wouldn’t make her look pathetic.

“That’s what I thought,” Olive said.

Tammy nodded. “When you are getting dressed, you need to beautify yourself from the inside out. Lotion, lingerie that makes you feel confident, and don’t forget to shave your legs. No man wants to snuggle up to a polar bear.”

Anna Beth laughed. Her legs were stubbly with several days growth and her underwear did not match. She’d fail Tammy’s confidence test for sure.