I grin, relieved she likes the bracelet. “What can I say? You bring it out in me.”
I fasten the bracelet around her wrist. As my fingers brush against her soft skin, it’s all I can do not to let my touch linger. “I want to talk to you about something else.”
Abby stares at the bracelet. “Another surprise?”
“Sort of. I, uh, I spoke to my grandfather and uncles yesterday.”
She leans forward. “What about?”
“Us.”
“Did they have more to say than me reporting to someone different?”
I nod. “They want us to transfer to the headquarters. Not immediately, but they want us to consider it and give them a time frame.”
“Why? We’ve started to get things under control at this office. Why would they want us to leave now?”
I run a hand through my hair. Abby amplifies the nervous habit, but in a good way, I remind myself. “Well, you see… I told them I plan on marrying you.”
The words hang between us, and I’m terrified I’ve overstepped, especially after giving her the bracelet.
Abby’s face breaks into a breathtaking smile. “You told your family you want to marry me?”
I nod, relief flooding through me that she’s not upset. “I did. And they are thrilled. They’ve also heard how brilliant you are, not only from me, and believe your skills are being wasted in our current office.”
Abby laughs. “You told your family—including the company’s founder—that you want to marry me, and their response was to transfer us to headquarters?”
I shrug. “What can I say? My family knows talent when they see it.”
She leans back, but I can’t read her face. “It’s a big step. Moving to headquarters, I mean.”
I don’t want her to overanalyze this or think we have to rush. “We don’t have to decide now. I want you to know the option is there. We can decide together, or if this is a no-go, that’ll be our answer.”
Abby’s eyes shine with emotion. “You really plan on marrying me?”
My face heats up, but I hold her gaze. “I do. I mean, not this second, obviously. But someday. If you’ll have me.”
She pretends to consider it, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “I might need more of these performance reviews to be sure.”
I laugh, the tension dissipating. “Those can be arranged.”
We leave the restaurant holding hands. As we wait for the valet to bring my car, Abby leans into me, resting her head on my shoulder. “Who could have imagined fake-dating would lead us here?”
I pull her closer. “You didn’t foresee dinner at exclusive restaurants and talks of marriage in your master plan?”
She playfully elbows me. “Please. My master plan involved not being embarrassed in front of my family. I never imagined the perfect Christmas with your family and not getting fired.”
“I’d say you’ve exceeded expectations.”
She laughs. “And you’re so much more than a grumpy, grouchy boss. Who knew you’d also be perfect boyfriend material?”
“Boyfriend material, huh?” I kiss the top of her head. “I can work with that.”
As I go to kiss her, the valet drives up with my car and honks the horn.
We both laugh. “I’ll take a raincheck on that kiss when we get to your place.”
Abby giggles. “I was about to say the same thing. The universe is clearly trying to tell us something.”
