Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 58211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
“I’m the lucky one,” I tell her. “You’re one in a trillion.”
She laughs adorably. We’ve been sillier and more carefree now. We don’t have to sneak around. “Why so high?”
“If I said one in a million, that would still mean there were eight people like you on the planet. That’s way too many. A billion? That would mean there are eight. Still too many? A trillion? That gets my point across. It means you’re utterly unique, my perfect Snowflake.”
“You’re so romantic,” she says dreamily, leaning in for a kiss.
We almost get carried away in bed, but then I spring up. “We need to get ready.”
“Somebody’s excited to find out who their Secret Santa is.”
Covering my eyes with one hand, I tear the sheets away with the other. “Quick, Snowflake, get dressed before I lose it.”
“Maybe I like having that power over you.”
“Be good.”
She laughs. We get dressed. Then I hold her hand and walk to the elevator with her. It’s so perfect not to have to hide, to feel guilty, to live with the weight of betrayal bearing down on us. It’s so perfect to be together.
“At least Derek won’t be there,” she mutters in the car.
I smile over at my woman. She’s wearing a Christman-tree-themed dress, green with felt baubles attached to it. She looks beautiful. The fabric hugs her figure, her hair resting on her shoulders in soft waves.
“Do you think we should feel bad he’s spending Christmas in jail?”
“Derek went on a spree that night,” I say. “Not just the church. You read the article in the newspaper. He vandalized several stores and a few people’s cars. He was harassing you. I don’t feel bad for him. Not even a little.”
Around half the staff gather in the large function room in the office, all holding their Secret Santa phones. Dan walks to the front of the room and grabs the microphone. He sees me standing with his sister and grins. It’s still a pinch-me moment every time he does that.
“Ladies and gents, I want you to get on with the gift giving, but if you will indulge me, I must give my best friend the spotlight first.”
Holly giggles when the spotlight shines down on us. Her laughter stops when she spots me on one knee. I stare up into her glimmering eyes, knowing this is the right thing, knowing I’ll never be a Grinch again. Not with my woman. My Snowflake.
“Holly Harper,” I say, opening the ring box to show a glistening diamond ring shaped like a snowflake, the perfect ring for the perfect girl. “Will you marry me?”
She looks up as her mom and dad emerge from the crowd. My mom stands with them, and Dan joins them. All of them are smiling.
She turns back to me, nodding as the tears stream down her cheeks.
“Yes!” she cries.
I slide the ring onto her finger, leap to my feet, and pull her into an embrace as the room erupts in applause.
“I love you.” I hug her tightly.
“I love you too,” she says through her happy tears.
EPILOGUE
HOLLY
One Month Later
Me: I’m not saying I miss Christmas, I text, spinning around in my office chair.
Asher: Why all this talk of gifts, then, Snowflake?
Me: Do you think you should think of a new nickname now? It’s no longer snowing?
Asher: It’s only January. We’ve still got time. Anyway, it’s about how unique you are, not the weather. Duh.
Me: Duh? I laugh. Did the notorious Grinch, Scrooge, and buzzkill all rolled into one text the word “duh”?
Asher: See what you’re doing to me, wife-to-be. So, are you going to tell me why you’re suddenly talking about gifts?
Me: I may or may not have left one in your top drawer.
Asher: More pranks? Please, let it be some of that lacy red underwear you wore last night. I lost it when I walked in and saw you in that. I love how confident you’ve become. I need to stop thinking about it, though. It’s going to be challenging to focus on this meeting. I’ll talk soon. I love you.
Me: I love you too, I reply.
I return to my video editing, counting the seconds until Asher finds my gift.
This month has been the best ever. Christmas was a dream. Brianna, Mom, Dad, Dan, Asher, and I all had dinner together and exchanged gifts. His viral video exploded even more, drawing attention to the company. Some of it was “scandal this” and “scandal that,” but mostly, the old adage “there’s no such thing as bad press” rang true.
After being heavily fined, Derek left the city to return to his hometown. We haven’t heard from him.
Life is perfect.
Now, this. The next chapter.
Finally, he texts back.
Asher: Is this what I think it is?
Me: I think we conceived our baby on Christmas day, I reply. That’s what I’m choosing to believe, anyway.