The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Catherine Hapka Page B

ex,” she said. Then she sniffled. “I can’t believe Cam is now your
ex
. . . .”
    â€œFocus, Allie!”
    â€œOkay, sorry. Anyway, so Mr. Rebound should be totally different, but nobody you would ever be serious about long-term. He’s like the palate-cleansing sorbet you have between the courses of a good meal.”
    I laughed. She really did have a way with words sometimes. Maybe she’d make that bestselling book happen after all.
    â€œOkay,” I said. “Well, if you think of anyone that fits the bill, let me know. I’m a little rusty on this whole dating deal. I mean, the last time I went out with anyone but Cam, I still had a nine thirty curfew, and a peck on the lips at the end of a date was cause for gossip and scandal.”
    â€œAw, that’s true. You and Cam have been together for so long. Too bad it had to end now.”
    I rolled my eyes. “Look, I feel bad enough about this as it is,” I said. “Enough with the guilt trip, okay?”
    â€œSorry.” She sounded a bit wounded. “But I’m kind of glad to hear you admit that you feel bad. It’s kind of hard to tell sometimes.”
    â€œWhatever.” I didn’t feel like getting in a fight with my best friend today of all days, even if she was practically accusing me of being a robot. “Sorry for snapping at you. I guess maybe I’m a little touchy right now.”
    She immediately sounded more sympathetic. “No,
I’m
sorry,” she said. “You’re allowed. I know this has to be rough—you know, getting dumped.” She paused, then couldn’t help adding, “Even if it was, you know, all your idea.”
    â€œThanks.” I smiled, knowing she was trying. “Listen, I should go call Nick and let him know.”
    â€œOkay. Call me if you need me.”
    I’d barely hit the button to hang up when the phone rang in my hand. “Hello?” I said.
    â€œLexi? Yo, it’s me. Bruce. So I hear you’re swinging single these days.”
    I winced. News travels fast in a small town. Still, Cam’s buddy wasn’t the first one I’d expected to call to offer his sympathies.
    â€œUm, that’s right,” I told him. “As youprobably heard, Cam met someone else. I’m really happy for them.”
    â€œCool. So you’re over it already?” he said. “Then how about going out with me? You know what they say—you’re supposed to get right back on the horse, right?”
    I wasn’t sure if that was one of his sleazy little jokes or just a bad choice of words. But it didn’t really matter. Now that I thought about it, maybe I shouldn’t have been so surprised to hear from Bruce. He’d been obviously lusting after me for years. I’d always thought he was at least half joking with all the little innuendos and lingering glances—after all, he’d never hesitated to do all that stuff right in front of Cam—but then again, maybe not. Okay, so maybe most guys probably wouldn’t have asked me out within an hour of the breakup. But I’d always known that Bruce wasn’t like most guys.
    And maybe that was perfect. Allie’s Rebound Guy Theory floated through my head, and I smiled. Complete opposite of my ex? Check. Nobody I’d ever be serious about?
Double
check.
    â€œSure, why not?” I said. “Sounds like fun.”
    â€œGreat!” Bruce actually sounded a little surprised. “You won’t regret this, Lexi. What should we do? Dinner? Dancing? A candlelit evening at my place?”
    I shuddered. There was rebounding, and then there was
rebounding
. “I have a better idea,” I said quickly. “How about the North Pole? The first is only a few days away.”
    December 1 at the North Pole Theater was another of Claus Lake’s holiday traditions. That was always the date of the old-fashioned movie house’s first annual showing