Page 10 of Christmas with the Denton Billionaires

Amelia saw her family, bundled up and gathered by the enormous jolly old Saint Nick. Her mom and dad waved, breath puffing in front of them, while her brother held her two-year-old niece in his arms, and his round-bellied wife waved at his side.

“Hey, everyone!” Amelia rushed forward, hugging everyone quickly. “Meet Josh! Josh, these are my parents, Tom and Susan MacTaggart, my brother Rob and his wife Rebecca, and this little sweetie is my niece Elise.”

Josh started a round of handshakes, and she couldn’t help but sigh a little as he flashed that winning grin to each and every family member. Already, her mother was shooting stars out of her eyes.

“I didn’t even know she was dating anyone,” her mom said to Josh, “much lessengaged. And look at you, all decked out in that sweater.”

“That’s because we are discreet,” Amelia said, shoving her hands into her coat pockets, “and wanted to wait until the time was right.”

“No better time than Christmas,” Josh said, his broad smile feeling contagious.

Elise said something between English and Toddler. Amelia put her face close to Elise’s, making kissy noises.

“You sweet little pumpkin,” Amelia said, running her fingers through Elise’s sandy blonde hair. “You’re getting so big. Do you even remember who I am?”

Elise looked unimpressed and buried her head into her daddy’s shoulder.

“It’s been a minute, huh?” Amelia said.

“Well, you didn’t come home for Thanksgiving,” her mother started.

“I was working,” Amelia said.

“I told her she needed to go home,” Josh piped up, his voice pure friendliness and bass. “To see you all and spend time with family. I wanted to come with, so we could share the good news. But your daughter is so committed to her career, even I couldn’t drag her away.”

Her mother cooed, squeezing Amelia’s arm. “That’s my baby girl.”

“So how did you propose?” Rebecca asked, her eyes twinkling. Rebecca was a girl’s girl through and through, and Elise was dressed in tutus and pink bows more often than not.

“Oh…the proposal.” Amelia turned to Josh, hoping he could see her panic through her forced grin. They really should have talked about this more on the way here. He squeezed his arm around her, bringing her to his side.

“It was a beautiful evening,” Josh said, looking into Amelia’s eyes. That gaze erased some of her anxiety about needing to come up with a story on the fly. Whatever he said, she’d accept. As long as he kept looking at her like that. “I took her down to Central Park, where we walked along the lake at the golden hour.”

“That sounds romantic,” her mother said.

“Until the geese attacked,” Amelia blurted. She couldn’t make thistoolovey-dovey.

“Yeah, that sort of ruined my vibe,” Josh said effortlessly, laughing. “They actually pecked at my ankles.”

“But you know what they say about geese and lasting love,” Amelia said, smiling up at Josh.

Rob snorted. “Do they sayanythingabout geese and lasting love?”

Amelia swatted at her brother’s arm. “No, they don’t, but come on, we have to make it romantic.”

Everyone laughed, and Amelia hoped the terror she felt inside wasn’t transmitting. She really didn’t like this—lying to her family. She hadn’t expected to have to make up stories andperformin front of them. She needed a diversion, and fast. She spotted a beverage table farther down the brick walkway.

“Hey, guys, I’m gonna go grab a soda. Does anyone want anything?” Nobody did, so she squeezed Josh’s wrist. “I’ll be right back. Just feeling a little parched.”

Amelia hurried over to the line forming in front of the table, hopping from foot to foot as she tried to counsel herself about the fact that she’d just told the biggest lie of her life to her family. It’s not like anyone would be outraged if they found out it was a sham engagement, but it didn’t feel great. Her family were good people and only wanted the best for her.

And apparently her best was pretending to be in love with her boss and raking in thousands of dollars for it.

She was so lost in thought by the time she got up to the table that she startled when someone said, “Hey! Amelia!” The lady behind the table smiled at her from under a floppy red Santa hat. “Long time no see!”

It was Judy, her parents’ neighbor. “Oh my goodness! Sorry—I spaced out. How are you, Judy?”

The two chitchatted while Judy poured Amelia a big plastic cup of punch. After they’d caught up on her job in NYC and Judy’s kids moving abroad, Judy said, “Take a second one, but don’t tell anyone I gave you two!”

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