Page 1 of Her Billionaire Stocking Stuffers

CHAPTER 1

Ivy

Christmas lights twinkle around the picture window separating the coffee shop from the ice skating rink at the center of town. Snow drifts past on an icy wind while Andy Williams croons about the most wonderful time of the year over our sound system.

What the heck does he know?

Holidays are just another thing for other people to enjoy.

Like family, friends, a cozy place to live, and especially pets.

From the backroom, I double-check no customers entered while I was getting my heart broken. The letter my landlord shoved through the lopsided gap under my drafty front door shakes in my fist. If I don’t get rid of the kitten I found in the dumpster out back during one of my shifts last week, he’ll kick me out. Even if I catch up on the back rent I owe.

Merry effing Christmas and a crappy New Year.

As dilapidated as my apartment is, it’s better than living in a cardboard box. Especially during sub-zero temperatures with yet another in a chain of blizzards predicted for the holidays. “I’ll find a safe place for you, Snowflake. Don’t worry.”

I’m not sure if it’s her or myself I’m trying to convince.

She peeks up at me with those big baby blue eyes that shine through her dandelion-fuzz face. It’s the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen.

How can I send her away?

The bell on the front door of the coffee shop rings.

I stuff the letter in my jeans pocket, lift Snowflake—pausing to kiss her teeny fluffy head, of course—then tuck her into the deep front pouch of my barista apron before whispering to her, “Remember, quiet time. Best behavior when there are customers. They can’t know you’re here.”

Trotting out to the counter, something unwinds deep in my core when I realize who it is.

My three favorite regulars.

They always come in together, wearing impeccable suits and gleaming smiles that widen when they catch sight of me, proving they’re nicer than most of the entitled jerks who dress like them. This trio knows my name and takes the time to say hello. Plus they tip really well.

If I could decide which one of them is most drool-worthy—Gabriel, the tall one with serious eyes who drinks his decaf black, Cole, the bad boy with dark hair who slams espressos like they’re water, or Pax, the really kind one who goes for the sweetest syrups and novelty drinks—I might be able to pick which of them to have the biggest crush on.

As it stands, they’re locked in a three-way tie.

And the highlight of my shifts.

“Hey, Ivy!” Cole struts up to the counter and leans his hip on the live edge wood slab. “I was worried we might have missed you.”

“Nope. Still here.” I sigh, wishing I was at home watching Snowflake trounce her favorite toy—an empty toilet paper roll. “Unfortunately.”

“You okay?” Pax asks, making me aware my attitude sucks.

“Ah, yeah. Sure.” I mean, I will be as long as I can figure out where to stash Snowflake or some other place to live when I don’t have any spare cash for a deposit, never mind catching up on my past-due rent. “Stressful time of year. There was a huge rush earlier.”

“Just a few days until Christmas.” Gabriel joins Cole, taller though less bulky. “What did you ask Santa for?”

“Nothing. That way I’m not disappointed.” Snowflake squirms against my tummy. Okay, fine. I wish I could keep her. But that doesn’t look like it’s going to happen.

“Have you been a good girl?” Cole wonders.

I’m sure he doesn’t realize how that sounds but Gabriel must. He smacks his friend in the gut with the back of his hand.

“It’s a tradition! I don’t make the holiday rules.” Cole holds his hands up as if he’s innocent, convincing me to laugh.

Even someone naïve and inexperienced like me knows that man is anything but.

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