Page 16 of The Christmas Plan

Turning around, Mac couldn't stop herself from smiling when she saw Taylor's excited grin. “I would say yes but I have no idea what I'm supposed to be ready for.”

Taylor let out an adorable giggle, her anticipation building. “Well, you're about to find out.”

Reaching down, Taylor grabbed Mac's hand and interlaced their fingers. Looking at the stores across the street, Taylor waited for the pedestrian sign to switch to green. Once it did, she tugged Mackenzie along the crosswalk where Saks Fifth Avenue sat on the corner… actually, it took up the entire block.

An array of Christmas lights covered the concrete facade of the building, creating a snow-capped forest in the middle of Manhattan.

Mac raised an eyebrow, her suspicions growing with every second.

Waving her off, Taylor skipped forward and pushed open the pristine glass doors of the designer store.

The moment the duo stepped inside, a young woman dressed, in chic trousers and a baggy button-up, approached with a gentle smile. “Miss Bennett, Miss Young. It's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Claire, your personal shopper for the day.”

Mac could hardly process the words coming out of Claire's mouth as she looked around the adorably decorated shop. Christmas decor tastefully lined every wall of Saks making it feel like the perfect winter wonderland to shop in.

Gentle, jazzy Christmas music played over the speakers at just the right volume, not too loud to be distracting but loud enough to bring in some holiday cheer.

Taylor rubbed a delicate hand over Mac’s back. “Mackenzie is still a little new to the whole personal shopper thing. But we're very happy to have you.”

Finally getting a hold of herself, Mac’s forehead wrinkles. “What exactly are we here for?"

Mac had already indulged in some luxury shopping after her U.S. Open victory. Taylor had been happy to come along then so she knew just how stuffed Mac's closet had become in the lastfew months. Plus it would be unromantic to shop for each other's Christmas gifts together.

The element of surprise was half the fun.

Taylor smirked. “You haven't gotten to enjoy one of my favorite facets of wealth just yet: buying everyone you know the nicest Christmas gift they've ever gotten.”

Mac’s jaw dropped as realization washed over her. She hadn't even considered how much fun it would be to spoil everyone in her life this time of year, even though she'd gotten a taste since her victory. Since August, she'd written Babs a massive check as a bonus for her years of minimal pay; Mac had bought her mother a brand new car, something reliable but sleek; and had treated her friends to dozens of fancy dinners and nights out on the town.

But the holidays were an even better excuse to take care of everyone around her.

With her assignment understood, Claire clapped her hands together and guided Mackenzie and Taylor inside the store. “This is so exciting!” Claire navigated the crowded store with ease, brushing past the other customers toward the home section where she suspected most of Mac’s desired presents might be.

As they walked, Mackenzie tried not to get too distracted by the shimmering lights and gorgeous decorations. Every few feet a towering Christmas tree glowed. Somehow, the magic of Christmas hadn't missed a single inch of the store.

By the time they reached the sitting area where Claire gestured for the couple to settle in, Mac felt full of holiday cheer and ready to shop to her heart's content.

Claire snapped her fingers together and a shiny, silver cart full of incredible gifts was wheeled inside the closed-off area. Taylor leaned back on the couch, letting her arm rest on the back cushion. A satisfied smile took over her face.

Mac wasn't sure if she'd ever be able to get her jaw off the floor. “How do they know exactly what everyone in my life would want?” she asked as she looked at a cart labeled for her mom. It contained a gorgeous set of kitchen knives, handy cooking gadgets, deluxe mugs that kept themselves warm, and dozens of things Mac couldn't even name.

Taylor bit her lip. “I sent them a dossier for each of your friends and family, and then they did their own research.”

Somehow these strangers had put more effort into Mac's Christmas than she'd ever put in herself. But she couldn't lie, it felt like a complete weight off her shoulders to know that she could select any item on the carts and never worry about hitting that credit card limit ever again.

Taylor watched on with glee as Mac hand-selected every item that would be immaculately wrapped and delivered for her most treasured loved ones.

During a brief intermission, two steaming lattes were delivered to the couple in their sitting area.

Mac took a sip of the piping hot coffee, the foam lingering on her upper lip as she tasted the rich flavor.

Taylor clicked her tongue. “So I have one more surprise for you.”

Shaking her head, Mac was thrown back into disbelief. There was no way that this incredible woman would have thought of anything else.

“Taylor Young, you're going to give me a heart attack.”

With a nonchalant shrug, Taylor smiled. “Claire, bring it in.”

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