Page 93 of Unwrapping Romance

“It’s okay, Jack. I get it.”

I stood up from my chair, grabbed my coat, and put it on.

“I’m going out for a while.” I stopped at Sierra’s desk. “Make sure those projections for the Cooper project are on my desk before I get back.”

“I will. Where are you going?”

“I don’t know. I just need some air.” I headed toward the elevator.

“Hey, Jack.” I heard Daniel’s voice. “I need to go over something with you.”

“Not now, Daniel. I’m heading out. We’ll go over it when I return.”

Tucking my hands into my coat pockets, I walked down the street as it started snowing again. Grabbing a coffee from one of the street vendors, I took it and sat on a bench, staring at the snow-covered decorated city.

“May I?” an older gentleman in a long black coat wearing a black fedora asked.

“Sure,” I said, sipping from my cup.

“It sure is cold out here, but it’s certainly a beautiful sight.”

“If you say so.”

“I always loved this time of year. The hustle and bustle of the city, beautiful decorations, everyone shopping to find the perfect gift for their loved ones. It’s amazing how magical the holiday season can be and how it brings families together.”

“Listen, sir. I don’t mean to burst your holiday bubble, but it’s all a load of shit.”

“Is it really, though? It only is to those who have closed off their hearts. But once they open their hearts, they can see the beauty the holidays have to offer. I wasn’t the best father I could have been back then, and I admit that.”

I glanced over and furrowed my brows at him, taking in the familiarity.

“Do I know you?” I asked.

“No, son. You don’t. Take a look around. It’s not just about the decorations and gifts,” his voice was low but warm. “It’s how the world slows down and shifts this time of year, even for a moment. People are happier. Families scattered all year somehow return to their loved ones to celebrate. And those who don’t have much always find a way to give something. That’s part of the magic. And even if life’s been hard and messy all year, the holidays give us a chance to believe. To believe in something good. Like the air is filled with hope. It’s the kind of magic that shows up when we believe in it. Open your heart and let it all in. You don’t have to believe all the time, Jack. Just enough—enough to let it all in.”

I turned my head when he said my name, and he was gone. In a flash, he was no longer sitting next to me. My heart raced with fear. What the hell just happened? For fuck’s sake, I was losing my mind. The familiarity of him startled me. I stood up and returned to the office. I stopped at Sierra’s desk and stared at her.

“Jack, are you okay?”

“I don’t know.” I walked into my office, and she followed.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I’m fine, Sierra.” I removed my coat and sat behind my desk.

“Okay. I’ll be out there if you need me.”

I hit a key on my computer to wake it and Googled my grandfather. When his picture appeared, I gasped. It was him—the man who sat beside me on the bench. But it wasn’t possible.He died before I was born. Placing my hands over my face, I felt like I was having a mental breakdown. But I knew one person who could help me. Pulling out my phone, I dialed Asher Remington.

“Jack, my friend. Happy Holidays.”

“Hi, Asher. Listen. I need to speak with Everly. Is there any way I can come over tonight?”

“Sure. We’ll be home. Are you okay?”

“No. I’m not.”

“I assume if you need to speak with Everly, you saw something or someone.”

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