Scrooge-ish

<p><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(34 34 34 1)>I hate Christmas.</span></p><p><br></p><p class=ql-align-justify><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>I don't know who thought every female must love shopping wrapping baking and hosting but I missed the memo. On top of that I manage an upscale department store. Sprinkle in the fact I'll be turning forty during this holiday season and my life is a Christmas cookie recipe gone wrong.</span></p><p class=ql-align-justify><br></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(34 34 34 1)>And every year I become a little more Scrooge-ish. </span></p><p><br></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(34 34 34 1)>But the spirit of the most wonderful time of the year <</span><em style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(34 34 34 1)>insert sarcasm</em><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(34 34 34 1)>> seems to have a plan for me and my midlife-crisis attitude.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(34 34 34 1)>First my past returns when I attend a high school reunion happy hour and run into that boy-the one I had a summer fling before I left for college then promptly ghosted me.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(34 34 34 1)>The torture continues because that boy is now a man worldly and wise and sexier than I remember. And he invites me to attend a holiday work party with him.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(34 34 34 1)>That's where I learn this forty fine former NFL quarterback now fireman has a new role: single father to the sweetest little girl putting me at risk of falling for both of them.</span><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)> </span></p><p><br></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(34 34 34 1)>However I have my reasons not to believe in love and the happiest time of the year. And the first twenty-five days of December tests all my strength.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(34 34 34 1)>Just what the Dickens is happening? Charles himself might approve of this plot.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(34 34 34 1)>Even I'm a little curious to see how it all plays out.</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(34 34 34 1)>+ + +</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(0 0 0 0); color: rgba(34 34 34 1)>With the past behind her and the future uncertain can Eva Nazar accept that the present is a gift and love is the greatest treasure we receive even if it isn't always wrapped in pretty paper with a perfect bow on top?</span></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>