Page 86 of The Christmas Romance Wish

Alex turns to me and says, “Emmie, I made a vow to you. Nothing is going to scare me away. Not an overbearing family. Not your past princess life. This is our story now. We’re costars.”

I sink into his arms, a refuge, home. Even though I helped design the Marry Me app, nothing could’ve prepared me for this kind of love and connection.

He whispers into my ear. “You’re mine and I’m yours. Always.”

Having heard the entirety of Alex’s military career and seeing him in action with the guys, I didn’t expect him to have this soft side, but I like that it’s reserved just for me.

We get back on the road and spend the night in Fort Lauderdale. We take a sunset gondola trip and dine at one of my favorite Cuban restaurants. When I was a kid, Chip used to come up here for business and we’d stop in and get the same sandwich.

I tell Alex a little more about the mysterious will Chip left my brothers.

“Now that sounds like a page out of a work of fiction,” Alex says.

“I’d expected nothing less fromChip than to send Magnus, Royal, Ryan, and CJ on a treasure hunt, but so wrapped up in work, I didn’t think much of it.”

“What about you? Any businesses to repair? Crowns to recover?” he asks, indicating the will.

“He left me with the commission to write his story, including the outcome of my brothers’ search for the treasure.”

“How’d that turn out?”

I half-roll my eyes. “You might say my grandfather’s insistence on the reality of the crown and CJ’s belief that our parents were still alive is what drove a wedge between them all. From what I’ve gathered, the will brought them back together. I doubt they found any treasure though.”

“No?” Alex asks with an air of disbelief.

“I was the princess and the boys were the pirates. We were all characters in Chip’s feature film—playing our roles. I suppose, in his mind, he didn’t want to let that go.”

“And how about now?”

“Remember earlier when you said nothing would change our status?”

Alex sets down his fork. “I stand by that.”

Pushing my plate away and sitting up straight, I prepare to tell him the last truth I’ve kept to myself. “Remember in the parking lot when we were talking to Tad?”

“And you gave him the business?”

“I mentioned that I’m fungible. I do not have a fungus. What I meant was that my grandfather also left me his fortune and some properties. Chip left the ones on Coco Key to my brothers, but he had a major portfolio, including Almeida Enterprises. In the financial world, it’s kind of a big deal. It’s taken me a while to accept it, but I finally understand my grandfather’s legacy.”

Alex’s eyes widen.

“And before you say anything about how I’m spoiled, I’d like to use it to help keep your land and the Holidayle Sleighbell Lakeside Hotel from falling into Tad Tobin’s greedy hands if necessary.”

“I wasn’t going to say you’re spoiled or criticize you, Emmie. It’s honorable you want to help out. But remember the thing we talked about early on about nonfiction and truth? Is there anything else I should know?”

Nodding, I say, “Yes. There is one more thing. I was crowned Miss Manatee when I was eighteen.”

His dimple plays peekaboo. “Is that a Coco Key thing?”

“Very much so, but that means I do actually have a crown.”

We both burst into laughter.

The next morning, we’re awake at sunrise. After a quick breakfast, we cruise past Miami before rush hour traffic. Soon, we leave the mainland. Turquoise water and white sand brackets the road on both sides.

As we span bridges and go through the Keys, memories pop up and I tell Alex stories from when I was younger.

When we pass theWelcome to Coco Keysign, bedecked in Christmas swag and bells, something stirs inside and it’s not the dread that I usually feel when I come back here. It’s more like something draws me in instead of repelling me.

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