Page 37 of Matchmaking Under the Mistletoe

“No problem. How far’d you go this morning?” I ask, taking a sip of my vanilla flavored coffee.No cinnamon in sight this morning, thank fuck.

“I got about five miles. I only planned to do three, but I guess I had a lot on my mind with the gala coming up tomorrow,” she apologizes as she sits her running shoes by the door and plugs up the headphones she wears each morning during her workouts.

Hmm, that makes two of us, I think, as I watch her go through her morning rituals, and I try not to dwell on how easily we’ve settled into a routine together. She grabs a bottle of water, before turning with a smile and saying, “Let me take a quick shower, and I’ll be ready to go. I’ve got a big day today trying to get everything decorated.”

“No problem, I’ve cleared the day to help with whatever you need,” I tell her, closing my computer and walking over to kiss her softly.

“Oh, wow, thanks, Brian. You didn’t have to do that, but I can’t say I won’t put you to work,” she teases with a laugh.

“Sure. Surprisingly, December 23rd isn’t a big day at City Hall anyway,” I respond before refilling my coffee cup and filling her usual to-go cup at the same time.

“Well thanks anyway,” she says. “Give me about fifteen and I’ll be ready.”

With that, she turns and heads down the hall, and I blow out a breath.Why is it so freaking easy to be around her, but so damn hard to ask her to stay?

CHAPTER 18

MILLIE

Christmas Eve has always been one of my favorite days. The anticipation of what’s coming the next day makes everything feel magical, like even the air knows something special is coming. But I never realized how magnified that feeling could be surrounded by hundreds of other people.

I’ve spent the entire day running around like crazy. Between making sure the band and the photographers have everything that they need, ensuring the wine from the winery is fully stocked, checking in with the kitchen staff on the status of the food, and fielding the questions from all the volunteers, I’m already dreaming about getting in the bed. But instead, I’m in Brian’s office touching up my makeup and throwing on my gown for the night.

When I told Lizzie about the event, she’d insisted on finding the perfect dress for me, and since I didn’t happen to pack any evening gowns when I fled the city, I didn’t see any reason to turn her down. But last night, when I opened the package and saw the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen in my life, I squealed. The emerald-green makes my eyes sparkle, and the way the fabric dips and pulls makes my curves look incredible.

A knock comes from the door, and I call out, “You can come in,” as I put my long silver earrings in and glance at the mirror. I watch Brian enter his office through the reflection, and even if I wasn’t wearing the most perfect dress known to man, the look on his face would have made me feel like the most beautiful girl in the world.

“Wow, Mills, you look…” he says, trailing off as he stares at me. “God, you look perfect.”

I blush at his admission and smooth the fabric down over my legs. “Thank you. You know I had to find something worthy of being on your arm, Mr. Mayor,” I tease, and he lets out a laugh at my dramatics before giving me a serious look.

“Yeah, whatever. I can’t wait to get you home and get you out of that dress,” he murmurs before dropping a kiss on my lips. I lean into him, but before I can deepen the kiss, he brushes his hand through my hair and continues. “We both know that you’re the one this town’s obsessed with. But really, you know you’re more than worthy, right? You’re magnificent, Mills,” he says, and I’m about to argue with him when I recognize the sincerity in his voice.

I smile, and all of a sudden, I’m hit with how quickly Brian’s worked his way into my heart. I may have spent the last ten years married and attending events like this at least once a week, but the last few days have been the first time I’ve truly felt beautiful and valued. Not only that, but Brian treats me like an equal instead of a servant or an inconvenience. It also doesn’t hurt the way he fucks me like I’m a queen.

He holds out his arm for me to take before saying, “All right, enough of that, you’ve worked your tail off for this event, and people will start arriving soon. Let’s go celebrate!”

Wrapping my arm in his, we exit the office where the entire first floor has been completely transformed. Each wall is decorated with gingerbread decor, making the room resemblethe inside of a gingerbread house. The wall behind the band will sparkle with hundreds of lights that we spent several hours hanging yesterday, making the room feel like a magical wonderland as soon as we plug them in.

“I’ll be right back,” Brian whispers as we stand admiring the room before us. “I just need to take care of the lights.”

He leaves, and a minute later the curtain of lights starts to shimmer as he lowers the flood lights in the lobby. As I wait for him to make his way back over, Bridget walks through the door and immediately heads in my direction.

“Millie, this is incredible,” she says as she wraps her arm around my shoulder, pulling me into a hug. “After seeing what you did with the maze, I knew this would be good, but it’s better than anything we’ve ever had here in Springside. When I came in this morning, I literally couldn’t believe how much you transformed this place in less than twenty-four hours.”

I smile at her compliment, before responding. “Thanks, Bridget. I couldn’t have done it without Brian though.”

Bridget gives me a skeptical look. “Brian? Like my cousin Brian? He doesn’t have much of an eye for design.”

I let out a laugh at her statement. “No? Well, maybe not, but he really was great.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear it. You’ve been just what we needed around here. Please tell me you’re planning to stay after the holidays,” she insists.

“Oh, uh, well,” I stammer. “I…I don’t know.”

“Well, where else would you go?” she asks. “Or are we too small for ya?”

“No, not at all. I just need to talk to Brian and make sure the offer still stands. He hasn’t mentioned anything about what would happen after tonight,” I admit sheepishly.

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