Page 43 of Flown in for Christmas

I glance at my dad, shuffling a step forward. “Yeah?”

“Hm?”

“You said my name.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Oh.” My brow furrows. I could’ve sworn I heard—

“Joy!” Nick’s voice carries through the echo chamber of the airport and my breath catches.

The ring. He’s here for the ring. I tuck my left hand against my chest.

Dad looks back and freezes. “Oh, my…”

I take a deep breath and turn to face my maybe-still-my-boss and current-ex-fake-fiancé.

What my eyes land on leaves me speechless.

Nick stands panting on the other side of security. His chest is heaving and his handsome smile shines as he grins from ear to ear.

I’d like to say it’s seeing him chasing after me that has me weak in the knees, but I may need to give some credit to the fifty-something members of his family standing directly behind him. They smile and wave, beaming as Nick dodges travelers on his way through the security roped line. His gaze never leaves mine.

Surely, he didn’t need to bring his entire family just to pick up his grandmother’s ring, right? Hope blooms in my heart. Is he here…for me?

“Go.” Dad nudges me with a chuckle as he takes the handle of my carry-on.

Tears blur my vision as I hurry past onlookers, fellow travelers, and suspicious TSA agents. “Excuse me,” I say upwards of a dozen times until I’m standing in front of him.

“You’re here,” I say at the same time he asks, “Where are you going?”

The corner of his mouth lifts, asking instead, “Why did you leave, Joy?”

My smile falters. Isn’t it obvious? “I ruined everything,” I say quietly, hoping he hears the regret in my voice. “I should have listened to you and left it alone. You told me to and I…didn’t. I’m so sorry, Nick, I—”

“You have nothing to apologize for,” he murmurs, taking another step toward me. The scent of fresh air and sandalwood fog my senses. “I should be thanking you for calling your father. Hell, you were right not to listen to me. Who knows how long thisall would have gone on without you. I owe you so much, Joy. You saved my family.”

“I still should have told you.” I sigh, finding it hard to take his gratitude after seeing the look on his parents’ faces. “I swear I didn’t know they were coming,” I admit. “My dad works fast, but he’s not very patient when it comes to…you know.”

Nick nods before peering past me. He gives my dad an awkward wave. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Bell,” he calls out.

Dad shakes his head, tossing a dismissive hand.

Nick cringes.

“I really am sorry—”

“Don’t be,” he cuts in, finally closing the space between us as his hand rests on my lower back, the other circling my hip. His fingers flex. “I need to tell you…”

“Kiss her already!” someone hoots from the crowd.

Nick glares over his shoulder. “I’m getting to that part.”

Laughter surrounds us as my body flushes with heat.Kiss me?Does that mean…?

“Joy.”

I fight my twitching lips to keep from smiling too big. “Yes?”

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