“Open it.” Blake looked at her watch. “Lennox has an early meeting tomorrow, and I would like to get some tonight.”
I hated surprises, and every last one of them heffas knew it. But I ripped the paper off the box and opened it. Inside was a scroll. “What the hell?” They watched me silently as I pulled the string off and unrolled it. The first thing I noticed was the Cinderella Castle printed on the thick cardstock. Dread replaced curiosity as I read the invitation aloud. “A three-night luxury vacation to Disney?” I met their waiting gazes. “This is a joke, right?”
“Before you start,” Bliss said, “It was my idea, and for a good cause. Remember that non-profit, Christmas Dreams Do Come True?”
Recently, Bliss and I had discussed donating gifts to deserving kids suffering with illnesses for the holiday. The organization had done wonderful and much-needed work in black communities where children were underserved by other charities. “Yes, I remember.”
“This year, they did a Secret Santa Silent Auction. We pooled our money and placed a sizable bid on your behalf.”
“And?” I asked, still confused what this all had to do with me.
“We won.” Bliss smiled.
“And your ass is going to Disney World,” Blake added, standing and grabbing empty plates. “I have to go.”
The pieces of the puzzle were starting to click. “So, let me get this straight. You bid on trip to Disney for me?”
“And we won,” Bliss repeated.
“This is part of your healing,” Courtney chimed in. “You need to get back to the Sloane that believed in magic. In imagination. In fun. Time to revisit theyouthat wished she was a Disney Princess.”
That Sloane had been chased away a long time ago and I wasn’t sure I wanted her bright side, her high hopes back. “I hate Disney World.”
Dallas leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “But you used to love it. Just like you loved romance. Just like you loved Christmas once upon a time.”
An unexpected tear fell from my eye, and I hurried to wipe it away with my sleeve. “I hate all of you.”
Blake handed me a box of Kleenex. “Please don’t cry. I can’t ruin my makeup by crying with you. I told you… I have a date with my man’s d—”
“Anyway,” Bliss interrupted. “I’m sure you do hate us right now. But we love you enough to call you on your shit. Running from your emotions never helps. Trust me.”
I pointed at her. “This was not supposed to be a therapy session. We’re supposed to eat, drink, and laugh.”
Raising her arms in surrender, Bliss nodded. “No therapy. It’s an intervention, a reset. Take this vacation, use this time to figure out which Sloane you want to be. ‘Cause you’re a hot mess, girl.”
Dallas handed me an envelope. “The trip details are in there. We know you’re not about that Mickey Mouse life, but you won’t have to suffer alone.”
I snorted. “Right, because I’m not going.”
“Yes, you are,” Dallas ordered. “And you’re taking a date. Preferably someone you want to fuck.”
Courtney smirked. “And actually enjoy it.”
After the divorce, I’d made it a point to lead with my brain, not my heart. Which meant I stayed away from men and situations that could end with hurt feelings—mine, of course. I folded my arms over my chest. “I don’t date.”
Blake snickered. “You will next week. And probably the week after Christmas too.”
“Even if I did, I don’t have time to find a suitable man to take on a damn vacation before…” I checked the trip itinerary again. “…February.” I muttered another curse, pinning each of them with an annoyed glare. “On Valentine’s Day? Really?”I hate that holiday too.
Blake cracked up, falling back on the cushion. Courtney attempted to cover her smile with her hand, while Dallas didn’t even bother to hide hers.
“Don’t worry,” Bliss assured. “We pick the dates. Iama matchmaker.”
“But I didn’t hire you,” I reminded her. “Don’t you havepayingclients to match and a toddler to chase around?”
“She’s not working alone,” Courtney explained. “I’ve compiled a list of potentials as well. Between my list, Dallas’ organization skills, and Blake’s—”
Blake cut in, “My bullshit meter will ensure you don’t end up with a scrub.”
