Winning Dawn by Thayer King

discussed the plans for a jungle themed mural they were doing in the nursery of a client. Dawn mentioned how there had been several secretive meetings going on with the partners at her firm in the last few weeks. She and some of her fellow co-workers had been making wild guesses as to what could be going on. Evan shared his plans for a piece of software he was developing himself that could be used as an organizational tool. Paige worked at a cell phone call center. She told tales of some of the amusing calls she’d received.
    “How did the two of you meet?” Josh asked.
    “We were introduced by friends. I work with his friend Lucas’s girlfriend. I was pleasantly surprised when Evan invited me. I just moved here from New Jersey and I couldn’t afford to go home for Thanksgiving and for Christmas. I wasn’t looking forward to spending the holiday alone.”
    “Well, we’re glad to have you,” Kayla assured her.
    Dawn stabbed her turkey viciously. Evan arched a brow at her. She gave him a brief saccharine sweet smile.
    “So, Dawn, where’s your intended? Running late? Again?” He picked up his glass and took a sip.
    “If you’re referring to my ex, Reggie, then I’d assume that he’s having dinner at his mother’s house. As we are no longer a couple, I can’t swear to it.”
    Evan choked on his tea. “I thought you two made up.”
    “You were wrong about that, but you were right about something. Sometimes, we do like to return to what we’re used to.” She shot a pointed look at Paige.
    His picked up his fork and tapped it on the edge of his plate. He opened his mouth, but after a swift visual survey of their dinner companions, he remained silent. Josh and Kayla were watching them suspiciously. Paige appeared uncomfortable.
    Josh cleared his throat. “Next year, I’m deep frying the turkey.”
    “Dear God,” Evan and Dawn said in unison. After a brief glance in her direction, he leaned forward and continued, “Kayla, please tell me you plan to talk him out of that idea. Or at least that you won’t let your homeowner’s insurance lapse?”
    Kayla laughed. Josh held up a hand. “I am perfectly capable of frying a turkey.”
    “I’m afraid of what else you might also unintentionally fry.”
     
    * * * *
     
    After dinner, Dawn helped Kayla put away leftovers and wash dishes. Josh offered to help, but Kayla declined. She later confided to Dawn that he tended to break too many dishes and he would only slow them down by distracting her. He still popped in every few minutes or so to make sure she wasn’t overdoing it.
    When they joined the others in the den, Paige was snuggled up as close to Evan as was humanly possible without actually sitting in his lap. And he didn’t seem to mind. Dawn sat through the sickening display as long as she could before excusing herself. She literally felt nauseous.
    She ducked into the bathroom. Taking several deep breaths, the uproar in her stomach slowly subsided. She was suddenly very tired. Keeping up a brave front was exhausting. Fortunately, it was almost nine. She could excuse herself and no one would suspect how upset she was. With one last glance in the mirror, she stepped out into the hall. Evan leaned against the opposite wall. “We’ve got to stop meeting like this,” she said in a mocking tone even as he moved forward. She wondered why he was waiting there. There were two more bathrooms in this house. “Excuse me.”
    He advanced, crowding her in the door frame. His face was dark with emotion. For each step he took toward her, she retreated one. He closed and locked the door behind them. She gasped, her eyes widening in surprise. “What are you doing?” Her hip hit the marble countertop and she turned. Evan followed and slammed his hands onto the cool stone surface on either side of her.
    “ Why didn’t you tell me?”
    “Tell you what?”
    “That you weren’t back with Reggie.”
    “You didn’t want to be involved anymore, remember?” His eyes