“They also had other options on the list. I’m on my way to see Carlotta’s Chalet as we speak. It’s closer to the city, just off the main highway. It’s nestled in the woods but with a good service road,” I say. “Let me have a look at that, at least, before I present the Hamiltons with my professional opinion.”
“The incident has made it really hard for us to find new clients, babe, just as we were picking up traction again.”
“I know. We’re hanging by a thread, but I need to make sure we don’t have any more incidents going forward. And choosing the right location, regardless of the client’s persistence, is part of the process.”
Jamie lets out a heavy sigh, but I know he agrees with me.
There’s barely any traffic at this hour. I’d expected mayhem with it being Christmas Day tomorrow, but I suppose the majority of jams are in the city, not outside it. It’s also stillearly in the day. Checking the time on my phone, I realize it’s not even noon yet. Christmas Eve chaos doesn’t usually kick in before three. I have plenty of time to make it back to the penthouse in time for dinner with the Morgan brothers.
My heart tingles with excitement.
“I’ve heard some great things about Carlotta’s Chalet,” Jamie concedes. “I mean, sure, go check it out, see how it feels. I trust your judgment, Will. Let’s just nail this Hamilton wedding, though. We need it—badly.”
“I’m well aware. By the way, I really hope you’re clocking out soon. It’s still Christmas Eve. Don’t you have an ex-boyfriend to get back together with?”
He laughs lightly. “I’m only sticking around for another hour, tops. I’m sending out the last handful of introductory emails before we close up shop for the holidays. How far from the Chalet are you?”
“Hold on,” I swipe across my navigation screen with one eye still on the road. Lights glimmer in my rearview mirror, but they seem far away. There’s nothing but open fields on both sides, cold, white, and empty. “About ten miles or so.”
“Okay, well, I’ll hold down the fort here until I’m done with these emails.”
“Then go home and rest, please. You’re still recovering, remember?”
“I doubt I will ever forget.”
We both laugh lightly and hang up. As soon as the call ends, music comes back through the sound system connected to my phone. It’s my jazzy Christmas playlist, and itsoothes me. Christmas is supposed to be about peace and family, not my struggling business or the attempt on my life.
It’s supposed to be about me winding down with the three men who have changed everything for me, not about me driving around the frozen parts of the state to find the perfect wedding in a desperate attempt to make it into the new year without filing for bankruptcy.
I’ve come this far. I can’t lose it all now.
I frown as I glance in the rearview mirror. “What the hell is this guy doing?” I mutter, my hands tightening their grip on the wheel.
The lights I saw earlier are closer, and so is the pickup truck they’re attached to. I can hear its engine roaring furiously over the music, and I realize it’s rushing forward.
THUMP!
I cry out in shock and blood-curdling fear as my car is jostled by the impact. It takes all my strength and what’s left of my self-control to stay on the road. I push the pedal to the metal, flooring it with ragged breaths as I try to get away from this guy.
“Jesus Christ!” I scream when he rams into the back of my Prius again.
I can’t even see who it is, just that he’s coming after me. Flashbacks from the wedding return with a vengeance as beads of sweat bloom across my forehead, but I keep my eyes on the road, desperate to survive.
The pickup truck blows past me and darts ahead. I don’t know what to do. The taillights don’t turn bright red, though. He’s not stopping. He’s racing away from me whilethe honks get louder from behind. Finally, a smidge of clarity returns as I look around and say a blessing for still being on the road before I slow down and pull over to catch my breath.
“Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God.”
Over and over again, I say it and will myself back into the present.
Deep breaths. Deep, deep breaths, Willow.
A dark figure emerges on my side of the car, which startles me, and I scream.
“Willow!” the familiar voice stops me from falling apart altogether.
“Oh thank heavens!” I exclaim as I recognize Cole and get out of the car.
Immediately, I throw my arms around his neck and hang onto him. I hang on for dear life, welcoming the warmth of his body, the strength of his embrace, and the sense of safety attached to him.
