Page 51 of His Christmas Gift

“I don’t really have the experience,” Autumn said.

I reached out and took her hand, not wanting her to draw away from this opportunity because she wasn’t familiar with the responsibility. I knew that she was capable of doing this. She loved this gym. Her passion alone was enough. I could teach her anything else that she needed to know.

“You said that you assumed some responsibility even when it still belonged to your aunt. You know the ins and outs of this gym. I need someone like that by my side,” I told her as I met her eyes.

“I just don’t want to make the wrong decision. I care about this place,” Autumn admitted.

“That’s why we’re going to be a team. We’re going to help each other,” I replied. “We’re going to recapture the neighborhood’s interest.”

Autumn smiled a little at that.

“Now, my gift is void,” she laughed.

“No, I love it. I’m going to use it every day at work,” I promised her, still feeling grateful at the thought behind the gift. I did want to be the world’s greatest boss, but I would always have growing to do. Hopefully, Autumn could help me with that. Her insight was important to me. She was the type of fitness person to whom my company was trying to appeal.

“So, I can challenge your decisions?” Autumn asked me with a devious look on her face.

“I’d like to remind you that you’ve already been challenging my decisions,” I smirked as I gave her a pointed look. She hadn’t given me an inch since I took over her aunt’s gym, but I admired her determination and her passion.

“But I can win this time,” Autumn pointed out as she lifted her eyebrow. She realized that she was on to something.

“Maybe,” I chuckled. Perhaps, we could learn how to collaborate well with each other. We already got along well. Very well.

“I’ll cut you some slack since you helped me this Christmas,” Autumn said as her face softened. Her eyes lowered as she gazed at the engagement ring on her ring finger. Her eyes seemed to linger for a moment before she answered. “I’ll give you this back when we leave here.”

It didn’t feel right to take the ring back from her. It looked good on her, and if I took it back, it would be the end of all of this. We wouldn’t act like a fake couple. We would have to put all of this behind us, and I didn’t want that. I didn’t want this to end.

“Keep it,” I replied.

Autumn gave me a look that was a mix of confusion and shock.

“Keep it?” she questioned me.

“It looks good on you. I want you to have it,” I told her as my eyes rested on hers. There were so many unspoken words lingering in the space between us. If we made it through this trip and things didn’t change when we got back, I would tell her my feelings. I just had to make sure that what we had together was real and not us getting caught up in the act.

Autumn gave me an awed look as she nodded. It looked like she wanted to say something else, but she resorted to hugging me instead.

I held her against me, breathing in the smell of her hair and never wanting to let go of her and this moment.

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