Free Hell on Heels Christmas by A.P. Jensen Page B

somewhere? Europe? Asia?”
    Regan considered. She had a lot of money in the bank and no ties, as usual. She could do whatever she wished. She could swim in the Dead Sea, go to Machu Picchu or see the Aurora Borealis. She didn’t feel even a flicker of want. She just felt an overwhelming weariness. For ten years she fought every step of the way to remove any obstacle that stood between her and what her heart desired. Now she was on the other side of the tunnel, blinking in the sunlight and wondering what next. She always had a vague plan that changed as she went on her adventures but now she was disconcertingly blank.
    “No. I’m just tired.”
    “I’ve been thinking,” Valerie began and Regan shot her a suspicious glance. “If you don’t mind, maybe you could put off your plans at least until the holidays are over.” When she saw Regan open her mouth she waved her hands and hurried on. “You don’t have to make any promises but just think on it. You don’t have to make any hasty decisions. You can live here and do whatever you want.”
    It was appealing in its way. She didn’t have to lock herself into a lease while she figured out what to do next. She could hide in her mother’s house, spend some time with her before she took off again… But there was Missy and Paula and Allison. Could she deal with all of them during the holidays? Bleh.
    “You know I don’t like the holidays, especially Christmas.” She gave her mom a tight smile. “Bad memories, if you recall.”
    Valerie clapped her hands together. “I haven’t really been all that festive since that crap either but when the grandkids came we got into the spirit of it again. We can try to make things better. What do you say?”
    “I’ll let you know if I leave.”
    It was the closest thing she could give to a commitment. She didn’t want to promise she would stay and go back on her word. She saw a flash of disappointment on her mom’s face but Valerie didn’t push. The phone on the table began to vibrate and ring. Regan glanced at the screen and snatched the phone.
    “He’s a friend,” she said to her mom before she rushed up the stairs and answered as she walked into her bedroom. “JC! Are you back in the States?”
    “No. In another week or two I’ll be home. I got your message and Daniel’s been blowing up my phone, asking if I know where you are. What did he do that had you leaving his ass?”
    “What do you think? I caught him with his secretary. So cliché.”
    While she listened to Jean-Charles curse Daniel to hell Regan sat on her bed and waited for him to run out of languages to call Daniel a bastard. Jean-Charles was one of her best and loyal friends. They met when she was backpacking through Europe. He was a fellow drifter trying to make a living through photography. He introduced Daniel, a distant cousin to Regan. Daniel was intrigued enough by Regan to offer her a job as his assistant. Regan, always ready for an adventure, took the job and worked her way up into her position as regional manager for Martin Hotels.
    As Daniel’s assistant she was his constant shadow and she got to watch him do business which was exciting. Daniel was charming and ruthless and she found that exciting when she was younger. When she accepted his position as Regional Director he made their relationship public and he proposed not long after. They were engaged almost a year when she walked in this week. Most women would have felt devastated, betrayed and furious. Honestly, she’d been relieved because it gave her a reason to leave. Ever since she’d gone into the corporate world her life was work. She enjoyed challenges and Daniel hadn’t been shy about heaping work on her. It gave her a different type of adrenaline rush and she enjoyed the money and travel. She’d been in work mode for the past couple of years to prove she could do this, that she could be normal. Walking away from Daniel and his company was the easiest thing she’d