Page 164 of On Cloud Nine

“It’s all her, isn’t it?” He leans back on the counter, somehow managing to look too large in this chef-sized kitchen, the way he typically does. It’s as if his life has always been just too small for a man of his size. “You’re in love, and now you’re getting married,” Ollie sings. “Love, love, love.”

“Oh, hush.” I give his shin a soft kick.

“Let me tease ya! I can’t joke with you like this when I’m in Scotland.” Ollie uncaps another bottle of scotch and pours us another round.

“Still can’t believe that the whisky tasting was so popular, your folks are making you move back home to run the business.” I force a grin, trying not to think about my best friend leaving.

“I should’ve sabotaged that Winter Ball after findin’ out you all left,” he chides. “But it’s my own fault. I was trying to help them out, and, well, I helped a bit too much.”

“I’m going to miss you.” We cheers with the small glasses and take a sip. Smoky whisky coats my throat.

“Don’t get all sentimental yet, Mattie.” He gives me a nudge that almost knocks me off my feet. “I’m just sorry I’m bailing on EcoDrones.”

“If you don’t think I’ll call you every week with questions and updates, you’ve got another thing coming.” I laugh.

“Good.” He tips his auburn beard toward me and pulls me into a huge hug. “Now, where did Bobbie run off to?”

“Probably upstairs. Molly’s got a special edition ofLord of the Ringshe’s never seen before.” I smile, catching a glimpse of my bride-to-be. Her head is thrown back in laughter as her friends encircle her.

Only one more hour until we bring in the new year, and I can confidently say I’ve never known happiness quite like this.

* * *

“Where are we?”Molly peeks outside, rolling down the window of my car to get a better view, but the snow comes down in thick flakes. Pieces melt against her skin, and I let the cool air fill my lungs.

After her final day at ORO yesterday, she seems in really high spirits. Hopefully, my surprise will inspire even more confidence in her future.

“So impatient,” I tease. “We’re almost there.”

We’ve been on the road for less than a half hour, but Molly hasn’t stopped questioning me the entire trip.

A huge iron gate comes into view. This must be the correct turn.

The Tarrytown property is even more stunning than the pictures we saw online. The building appears through the snow-covered trees.An actual high tower stretches up toward the hazy white sky. The architecture is grand, with all kinds of carvings and decorations covering the walls and pillars.

“Is that…? No. The Griffin?” Molly’s mouth gapes open. “Matthew, what is this? Is the owner here? When I spoke to Shauna back in the city, she said she wasn’t going to be back for weeks!”

“Well, let’s just say I put forth a very good argument over the phone, and there may have been a winter storm that made Shauna come home early.” I place my hand on her thigh.

It took about two weeks of pestering phone calls and constant emails to convince the woman who owns this property to meet with us. But every second was worth it for the look of shock on Molly’s face.

“I don’t even believe it. What if she doesn’t knock down the price? Oh my goodness, I would’ve put on a blazer or something if I’d known we were going to meet her today.” Molly glances down at her cashmere sweater as though it’s some kind of Snuggie.

“If there’s one thing I’ll always bet on, it’s your ability to negotiate.” I give her leg a squeeze.

We roll into the driveway and park by the grand entrance. I get out first and loop around the Rivian to open the door for Molly.

She shudders and runs her hand over her long skirt.“But I don’t hav—”

“Baby.” I drop my hands onto her shoulders. “You prepped all of December for this moment. Your laptop is in the trunk, your business plan is up to date. You got this.”

Molly sets her hands on her hips and puts on a very bossy tone. “Mr. Hudson, one might get the impression that you’re trying to seduce me with all of this business talk.”

“Well, Mrs. soon-to-be Hudson-Greene, what if I am?”I give her a wink and grab her purse out of the trunk.

“I’m just speechless, that’s what I am.” Her eyes take in the grandeur of the property. “This is perfect. Better, even—it’s real. The pictures on Zillow.com didn’t even begin to do this place justice. I mean, do you see that tower?”

“It’s all for you, darling.”

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