“I can’t believe you have an entire fiancée—who lives in Washington—and you were just going to bypass your beloved mother and family without so much as a hello.”
“It’s not personal,” I said. “There’s a reason behind it—and it’s not one I want to get into.”
“Well, thank you for not denying it.” Her face reddened. “Thank you very much.”
“Who told you about this?”
“Your assistant,” she said. “The very woman you’re marrying…”
“I see.” I glared at Jenna. “I’m firing her the second I get back.”
“You can’t spare a few hours for us?” she asked quietly, her expression shifting from anger to something quieter—and worse.
“I’ll see what I can do.” I held back a sigh. “I’ll call you within an hour.”
“Please do.”
I ended the call, still looking at Jenna.
“It’s just a few days of play pretend.” She smirked, mocking my words from the other day. “How hard could it possibly be?”
12
JENNA
My parents’ ranch sat back from the road, a long wraparound porch stretching across the front and acres of snow-dusted land disappearing behind it.
“You told me your parents lived in a shotgun house in the middle of nowhere,” Nicholas said.
“Itisin the middle of nowhere.”
“It’s a mansion…” He looked like he was expecting an explanation.
I shrugged. “It’s not like I was ever expecting you to see it.”
Seconds later, he pulled into the turnaround driveway and helped me out of the car.
We waited for a moment as Mr. Reaves stepped out, snapping photos like a tourist.
“Wow,” he said. “This is truly Christmas come to life, huh?”
Neither of us answered him.
Nicholas pressed his hand against mine and led me up the steps.
I hesitated before ringing the doorbell, and before I could take a breath, the door swung open.
“Ahhh! You’re really here!” My favorite aunt—Aunt May—pulled me into her arms. When she looked up at Nicholas, her jaw literally unhinged.
And it hung wide open until I pressed it shut.
“Um…” She blinked. “Who is this?”
“Nicholas,” I said. “He’s just a boyfriend.”
“I’m her fiancé,” he corrected me, extending his hand. “Nicholas Saint.”
“Wait a minute… Isn’t your boss’s name Nicholas Saint?”
