Page 41 of Christmas with the Denton Billionaires

But it wasn’t. It was her reality. Her new reality, with Josh at her side.

“I love you,” she murmured, melting into him, her lips landing on his.

“You beat me to the punch,” Josh said through their kiss. “That was going to be my next point.” He grinned once he broke the kiss, holding her chin between thumb and forefinger. “Amelia, I love you. And please say you’ll be mine.”

“I have been,” she murmured, resting her head on his chest. “Since I started working for you. Except neither of us knew it.”

Josh pressed a kiss to the top of her head, and they watched as the snow fell over the bare trees in the valley.

This was the best Christmas of her entire life.

EPILOGUE

AMELIA

FIVE MONTHS LATER

“Over there!” Josh barked out the command, pointing to an unfinished mound of landscaping near the hotel. “This one needs to happen first. Then we can start the last cul-de-sac.”

Amelia laughed to herself, trying to keep her heels from clicking too loudly on the brick path. She’d flown in that morning from France, where she’d been working for the past week. Her new job was the dream she knew it would be, and the past few months had flown by in a challenging but amazing haze.

She’d been worried when she first started traveling. Worried about the strain it would put on their relationship given how new it was. Worried that Josh would grow frustrated with so much time apart, but he’d been nothing but supportive. She loved her new job at Grayson, and her director had told her that once things settled down, her travel schedule would become easier, with more time spent in the home office or working remotely, if she preferred, since most of her meetings were held via Zoom anyway.

Josh had taken to working remotely, often flying out to meet her, no matter where she was in the world, so they could spend time together.

And now she had flown to Cedar Grove to surprisehim.

Once she was within arm’s reach, she hurried forward, throwing her arm around him. Josh stiffened, but gasped once he realized she was there. Laughter whooped out of him as he pulled her into his arms, as if they hadn’t just seen each other five days ago in Paris.

“Meelie!” He still used that nickname sometimes, but it didn’t bother her as much. “What are you doing here?”

“Wanted to drop in on my favorite head gardener.” She grinned up at him, propping her chin against the plain gray T-shirt he wore. It was only mid-May, but it felt like summer already. She knew Josh had been working hard to get things renovated and ready for the upcoming busy holiday season. He’d adopted the Cedar Grove property as his pet project, even though he could have outsourced it to one of about a dozen employees.

“Aww, babe,” he murmured, lifting his sunglasses. She melted against him once she could look into his baby blues. She might never tire of looking at this man. Of getting lost in his gaze.

“You smell like the fresh outdoors and manly sweat,” she said, squeezing her arms tighter around his waist. “You got a room we could use real quick?”

He laughed, looking around. “I’ve got about thirty or so at our disposal. Which is perfect, because I wanted you to see the newest renovations.”

They walked hand in hand toward the hotel, Josh gazing down at her.

“God damn, I missed you,” he murmured, bringing the back of her hand to his lips.

“Me too.” She rested her head against his shoulder as they walked inside the hotel. He led her past the ballroom, which had been renamed The Amelia Room in her honor. Then to the top floor, where all the suites were. He slid a keycard into room 515, which had been their suite the first time they’d stayed here together.

“Woooow,” Amelia breathed as she checked out the newest changes. He’d updated the carpet and removed the wood paneling. The bathrooms were being overhauled with raindrop shower heads and lots of stony-looking tiles.

“Your brother has been a huge help,” Josh said, leaning against the doorframe as she checked out the bedroom. “He’s already been promoted once.”

Amelia beamed over at him, feeling the rush of love and passion fill her, as it often did when she looked at this man. “I’m so happy to hear that.”

“But there’s one more big thing,” Josh said, straightening suddenly. He led her over to the bay window overlooking the back of the property. Together they looked out the window, until Amelia noticed he’d started breathing faster.

“Josh—” she started, unsure if he was okay.

He suddenly dropped to one knee, taking her hand in his. He pressed kisses to the back of her hand as Amelia stared in wonder.

“Babe—” He fished a tiny black box out of his pocket. “This is where it all began. Your hometown. This special property that means so much to the both of us. But it also began righthere. Room 515.” He grinned, then popped open the ring box. A gasp ripped out of her as she saw the enormous diamond waiting there.

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