Page 1 of Tuxedos and Tinsel

Be Mine for Christmas

Sheryl Lister

To my in-laws, Bobby and Petrina Lister, for keeping the magic of love alive for more than fifty years.

Chapter 1

Maya Brooks rolled her eyes as the woman on the phone went on and on. “Yes, Mrs. Harper. I know I told you the shop would be closed the last three weeks in December, but my plans have changed and I’ll be able to provide the desserts for your party if you haven’t found someone else.”

“That would be lovely,” Mrs. Harper gushed. “I’ve searched high and low for a suitable replacement but couldn’t find anything close to your spectacular chocolate torte.”

“I appreciate the endorsement. Let me make sure I’ve got everything you asked for.” Maya finalized the menu details and date. “I can deliver your order two hours before the party. Will that work?”

“That’s perfect, dear. I’m sorry your vacation plans were canceled.”

“So am I,” she murmured. “Thank you, again, and I’ll call you a few days before to confirm your order.” She ended the call and dropped her head in her hands.

December had always been Maya’s favorite month and she typically had her shop, Maya’s Sweet Spot, decorated for Christmas the weekend following Thanksgiving. This year, instead of pulling out her decorations and shopping for more as soon as the calendar changed to November, she would be spending the time returning the few remaining wedding gifts from people who obviously missed the memo that her Christmas wedding had been called off.

“Hey, Maya.”

Her head came up at the sound of her best friend and business partner Rhonda Davis’s voice. With Rhonda’s five-ten height, slender curves and a face that could stop traffic, Maya often teased her, saying Rhonda would be better suited as a high-fashion model instead of managing a bakery. “Hey, girl. How was your vacation?”

“It was great to spend time with my family, especially my grandmother, since I haven’t seen her in a year. She’s going to spend the entire month with my parents and go back home after Thanksgiving.” She claimed the chair across from Maya’s desk. “How did it go with your family?”

Maya shrugged. “Fine, I guess...if you don’t count all the ‘poor baby’ and ‘you’ll find someone else’ comments.”

“That sucks. I’m sorry.”

“Why? You weren’t the one who decided two months before our wedding that you changed your mind and wanted to take your life in a different direction.” Maya’s ex-fiancé, Stephen Jacobs, had been a no-show at their engagement party—one that had been postponed twice because of his busy schedule. When she finally caught up with him the next day, his only words were “You should be glad I changed my mind before the wedding.” No apology and no offer to pay half of the many cancellation costs. Nothing. She got angry all over again thinking about it.

“Ouch!”

She was instantly contrite. “I’m sorry for snapping at you, Rhonda. It’s not your fault Stephen was a jerk. And, before you say anything,” Maya said, raising her palms in mock surrender, “I know, I know, you tried to warn me that something wasn’t right. Too bad I didn’t listen.”

Rhonda chuckled. “Next time.”

“Please. There isn’t going to be a next time.”

“Humph. What you need is to indulge in a little holiday cheer with a fine, sexy man to get over Stephen. You know, giving thanks for some good toe-curling sex...a little mistletoe action... Trust me, there’s no better way to jump-start the holiday season. It’ll work wonders,” she added with a smug smile.

Maya groaned. “I don’t even want to know. Thanks, but no, thanks. I’ll pass.”

“Okay, but I’m telling you... Anyway, what happened to the decorations? You usually have everything pulled out by now. Didn’t we just flip the calendar to November? I expected to see twenty sales papers on your desk. I even brought my walking shoes because I knew you were going to drag me shopping.”

“I’m not really feeling the holiday spirit this year.”

Rhonda stood, rounded the desk and pulled Maya out of her chair. “Come on, girl. You can’t let that idiot ruin your favorite time of year. When we’re done, Maya’s Sweet Spot is going to be the best-decorated shopanywhere.”

She smiled, unable to resist her friend’s enthusiasm. “Oh, all right. But now that I’m going to stay open, I have twice the orders to take care of. It’s a good thing, too. With the way all these stores are closing, I need to do everything I can to stay above water.” Ever since the grocery store on the lot adjacent to her shop closed a year ago, the other businesses in the strip mall had shut down, one at a time, until only a handful of small shops remained, including hers.

“Speaking of that, I just saw the owner of the clothing boutique next door and she told me she received a letter from some real estate developer offering to buy her out. Apparently, they want to rezone this block for residential use.”

“What?No, no, no. They can’t do that.”

“Wanna bet?” Rhonda wagged a finger. “See, I told you something was up. There’s no way four stores are going to be closing at the same time. And then there was that guy.”

“What guy?”