His Stand-In Holiday Girlfriend (Christmas in the City Book 1)

by Kasey Stockton

  And he was glad for two reasons. Not only was Ellie keeping Monica at bay, but she was really good at her job. And not just as an intern. She was managing the entire event like a pro. He’d wondered more than once if architecture was really the correct path for her.

  But he was not her real boyfriend, so he made himself brush those thoughts away.

  And now it was Friday afternoon and his family party was the very next evening. He’d messaged Ellie each time he remembered something he should warn her about, but it was becoming excessive. She probably thought him crazy; he couldn’t blame her if she did.

  “Hey, Mr. Garrison?” a voice asked, pulling him from his obsessive thinking about the family party and how they’d all react to the news about Ellie.

  The fake news.

  He glanced up and caught Zane’s deep brown puppy-dog eyes watching him with reserve. Shoot. He’d completely forgotten to look over Zane’s proposal all week.

  “I have just been swamped all week,” Brady began, “and I’ve got a lot going on this weekend. Send me a message first thing Monday to remind me and I’ll look at them right away.”

  “Will do,” Zane said, turning back for his own desk.

  He tried to swallow his guilt. It had only been a week since the guy last asked. And Brady had a lot on his plate. He needed time.

  Besides, the Bear Mobile project wasn’t happening for another month anyway.

  Pulling up his chat feature, Brady opened up a conversation with Ellie and typed.

  BradyGarrison: I should also warn you that my grandmother is completely blind.

  EllieShaw: I’m so glad you told me that. I’m certain I NEVER would have figured it out when we actually met in person.

  Brady chuckled. He could hear Ellie’s soft sarcasm tainting the words.

  BradyGarrison: Hey! I’m doing my best here to prepare you.

  EllieShaw: To join the CIA?

  BradyGarrison: To meet my crazy family.

  EllieShaw: Everyone thinks their family is crazy. You need to take a cleansing breath and let it happen. It’s the first time your girlfriend meets your family, Brady. There are bound to be quite a few introductions anyway. It’s normal.

  She had a valid point.

  BradyGarrison: But my real girlfriend would have heard most of this in the course of our dating conversations.

  EllieShaw: And now I have!

  She was far too easy going about what could possibly be a very emotionally scarring party.

  EllieShaw: I mean come on, Brady! It’s Christmas! Get into the holiday spirit a little here.

  BradyGarrison: You got it, boss.

  Ellie sent a few emojis of Christmas trees and Santa faces and Brady had to smile.

  BradyGarrison: You found emojis! Way to go!

  Ellie sent an emoji of a fist waiting for a fist bump, and a red one-hundred symbol. She was a firecracker, and so obviously smitten by the holiday.

  And he found that he enjoyed that about her very much. He sent back an emoji of a gold and red wrapped gift and she sent him a wink face.

  Ellie was capable and funny and quick-witted. And she was gorgeous, but that didn’t really have any bearing on how his family would receive her. She was going to be fine at the party tomorrow. And Brady was so glad she’d agreed to go along with it because Becky, his sister, had already texted him to warn him that Monica would be there.

  Which was a step above last time when he showed up to Grandmother’s ninety-third birthday party and Monica was standing beside the drink table.

  Closing out the chat window, Brady forced himself to focus on work.

  Cassie sidled up to Ellie’s desk just as she was closing out the chat window from Brady. The guy was a positive nuisance. Or, he would be if his nerves weren’t actually kind of adorable. He was so worried about the party that Ellie did her very best to put him at ease.

  She probably would have worried more had she not been so focused on helping ease Brady instead.

  “So, you’re dating the boss?” Cassie said, sitting on the edge of Ellie’s desk and folding her arms across her chest, her lips tilting in a smug smile.

  “Shhh! No, I am not.”

  “Yes you are,” Cassie argued. “I heard you two coming out of the elevator talking about the party and Brady Garrison’s self-absorbed Uncle Roy.”

  Ellie held the receptionist’s gaze. “Can you keep a secret?”

  She’d never seen Cassie light up so quickly in the entire week and a half that she’d known her. “You know I can.”

  That was not the case. “I know you like to gossip.”

  Cassie actually looked hurt. “I can keep a secret when it matters.”

  So telling the entire floor that Karen from legal was having marital issues didn’t matter? Ellie shook off the thought. She didn’t really have a choice. If Cassie was onto them, then it was probably best to explain the truth to her instead of letting her believe the lie. Because then the lie would undoubtedly spread. And really, the only person they needed to fool was Monica.

  “You know how Brady and Monica used to be together?” Ellie asked, lowering her voice.

  Cassie leaned in. “Obviously.”

  “Well, he kind of panicked when we got put together to plan this gala. I stepped up and told her we were dating to keep her off his back.”

  Cassie’s eyes went wide with pleasure. “And did she believe you?”

  “Yes. We have to keep it up until the gala is over and then he won’t need to see Monica again.”

  Cassie scoffed. “Good luck with that. The moment she finds out its a scam she’ll be all over him again.”

  “Well she’s kept her distance recently,” Ellie defended. “It’s just this project throwing them together now.”

  Cassie didn’t believe a word Ellie was saying if her expression was any clue. “Whatever you say. But I have a feeling this band-aid isn’t going to mend the broken arm.”

  Huh? Ellie squinted, looking sideways at Cassie.

  “Well anyway,” Cassie said, grinning, “did you hear about Harry from The Bean downstairs? He totally ended up in the hospital after his electric scooter rammed him into the side of a building! Can you imagine? Riding so fast you actually get knocked out?”

  Ellie looked on with horrified concern. “Will he be all right?”

  “He’s out now. He’s the one who told me the story.” Cassie stood and straightened her skirt, her short blonde hair swinging just above her shoulders.

  Well, that did make it a little better.

  Cassie regarded her with curiosity and finally leaned down. “Listen. I won’t tell a soul for now. But you need to keep me updated.”

  Was that a threat? Or a simple request? Ellie nodded. “If you don’t tell anyone, I’d be happy to.”

  Cassie’s face broke out into a wide grin. “Good. See you around!”

  With a flicker of her fingers in a semblance of a wave, Cassie clicked back down the hall toward reception. It was not the end of the world that one person knew their secret, right?

  Chapter Ten

  “You are really going through with this?” Kayla asked, leaning against the door jamb of Ellie’s room with her arms crossed over her chest and an eyebrow cocked in disbelief.

  “Yes.”

  “But what are you getting out of it?”

  Ellie reached down and pulled on one sock before looking back at her roommate. “It isn’t that big of a deal. I’ll go have some good food and maybe sing some carols and smile widely because I’m so in love, and then right after the gala Brady will tell his whole family we broke up.”

  “But what about them? What if they love you?”

  Ellie affected mock affront. “If? Of course they’ll love me. I embody the spirit of Christmas! And who doesn’t love Christmas?” Ellie stood, showcasing her bright red jumper over a gold and white striped shirt and long, thick black leggings. She shook her head to jingle her earrings and waited for Kayla’s eye roll.

  “I just don�
�t understand why it’s okay to lie to all these people for the sake of one woman.”

  A ball of guilt formed deep in Ellie’s stomach and weighed her down. “It’s not like that, Kayla. You know I’m trying to keep my boss from succumbing to her wily ways.”

  “He’s a grown man,” Kayla said, not amused. “And he is not your responsibility.”

  “Except that I’m the one who said we were going to this party for the big announcement. I got us into this mess, so I have to see it through.”

  Kayla watched her for a moment before pushing away from the door. Shaking her head slightly, she said, “Have fun,” and walked away.

  Well that was an unfortunate way to begin the day. Ellie did her best to brush off the disappointment on her friend’s face and took herself to the bathroom to get ready. Mascara and a simple ballerina bun, tied with a red ribbon, and she was ready to go.

  Except, she didn’t have any hosting gifts.

  Glancing at her watch, she was fairly sure she had enough time to run to the store and pick up a fresh bouquet of flowers—and maybe a box of chocolates—for Brady’s mom. She threw her coat on and ran out of the apartment and down the stairs.

  Whole Foods was only two blocks away and she was there in just a few short minutes. Bypassing the carts and baskets, she went straight for the flowers and selected a robust poinsettia in a green pot.

  Perfect.

  Turning for the registers, Ellie nearly ran into a green wire cart and used the edge of it to keep herself upright.

  She glanced up to the man pushing it and nearly laughed out loud upon recognizing Zane from the office.

  “We’ve got to quit running into each other like this,” Ellie said, as if it wasn’t the most overused joke of the century.

  Zane laughed politely. “You look festive,” he said, giving her outfit a once-over.

  “I’m headed to a holiday party,” she explained, lifting the plant as if that would help prove her suitability. “Though, I would dress this way all the time if I thought I could get away with it.”

  “You can definitely get away with it,” Zane said, lifting his dark eyebrows.

  “How did the meeting go with Brady?” Ellie asked. “Have you asked him about your designs?”

  His gaze flicked away and his mouth closed in tight-lipped frustration. Shaking his head, he gave her a pitiful shrug. “I don’t think he’ll ever look at them. He clearly has a lot going on,” he hastened to add. “And I know once the gala ends then I won’t have to struggle as much to get some of his time.”

  “But by then it might be too late to get your designs in front of Gaines.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Well,” Ellie said, drawing the word out slowly. “Maybe I can sneak into the office while everyone is gone and open them up on his tablet so he’s forced to see them first thing Monday morning.”

  “Please do.”

  They shared a smile. The guy was cute, and he deserved a fair chance. Not that those two things had anything to do with the other, of course.

  The side of her purse buzzed and Ellie whipped out her phone to find a text from Brady.

  Where did you go? I’ve got my car waiting in the street.

  “Shoot, I’m late,” Ellie hugged her plant close to her. “I’ll see you Monday, Zane.”

  “Have fun at your party,” he said with a half-smile. The guy deserved a chance. And she was going to get to the bottom of why Brady was so reluctant to give him one.

  She quickly typed a message back to Brady telling him where she was. She paid for the plant and then ran out the door and down the sidewalk.

  A charcoal colored Audi pulled up and honked, and Ellie leaned down to peek in the window before opening the door and sliding in.

  Brady looked at her as though she was disturbed. “What is that?”

  Ellie finished buckling her seatbelt and then settled the plant on her lap. “What, this? It’s a poinsettia.”

  A small smile played at Brady’s lips. “Well I know that. I mean, why do you have it here?”

  “It’s a gift for your parents.”

  He watched her for a moment, his blue eyes narrowing in consideration until a car honked behind them which spurred Brady into action. He lifted a hand in apology to the car and swung into the road. They traveled toward Highway 101 and through the tunnel before the bridge.

  “Mind if I turn on some music?” Ellie asked, reaching toward the buttons on the dashboard.

  “Sure.”

  She turned on the radio and scanned it until she found a holiday station, pleased when they reached the Golden Gate Bridge right as Bing Crosby’s It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas began.

  “Too bad it’s so sunny today,” she commented, turning the music up. “It would probably feel more like Christmas if it was overcast.”

  Brady cast her a sideways glance before looking back at the road.

  “So how far away is this place, anyway?” she asked.

  “Just under an hour. Plenty of time for you to get all of the Christmas out of your system before we arrive.”

  “That’s a little backward,” Ellie said. “I think the music is meant to gear us up for the festivities.”

  “Okay, listen. I realize now that I’ve spent all my time preparing you for the people when I should’ve been preparing you for the party.” He cleared his throat. “We get together for my grandmother, but no one really wants to be there. It’s a typical family party.”

  “Right.” If anything, he’d made it more confusing. “So who knows I’m coming?”

  “Ummm,” he said, looking away as he changed lanes.

  The final strains of Bing Crosby’s song could be heard across the radio as Brady refused to speak.

  “Brady,” she said, turning to face him more fully. “Tell me you at least warned them.”

  He bared his teeth in an awkward smile.

  “Oh, good gracious,” Ellie said, sitting back in her seat and closing her eyes. “This is going to be interesting.”

  He did try to tell his mom he was bringing Ellie to the party, but she just wouldn’t stop complaining about her sister long enough for him to get a word in.

  “It’s not for lack of trying,” Brady defended.

  He refused to turn and look at Ellie but he could feel the fire from her glare. He did feel bad. But what could he do about it now?

  “On the positive side, my sister is bringing her fiancé, so you won’t have to claim all of the spotlight alone.”

  “Great.”

  “Are you mad?” he asked.

  “No. It’s fine. I’m sure it’ll all work out. But before we arrive, I want to remind you of one major thing here.”

  She was quiet long enough to warrant his attention and Brady cast her a quick glance, surprised to find her staring at him. “Yeah?”

  “I am doing you a favor,” she said slowly.

  “Yes, I am well aware.”

  “And I get nothing out of this except the opportunity to wear my new jumper.”

  “That’s a pretty good trade off, if you ask me.” Brady hazarded another glance and found Ellie smiling, much to his relief. He liked her smile, a lot. It was far better than her disappointment any day.

  Brady discovered through that exchange how deeply he did not like disappointing Ellie.

  “What Christmas traditions do you have?” Brady asked, hoping to steer the conversation onto neutral waters.

  He saw Ellie shrug from his peripheral vision. For someone who loved the holidays so much, Brady did not expect her to close up about them at all.

  “That doesn’t seem very enthusiastic.”

  Ellie stared at the poinsettia on her lap. “My grandparents raised me and everything was very low-key through my childhood.”

  Brady wanted to ask what made it low-key. But he sensed that she would talk about it if she wanted to. “Anything special you would do together?”

  “Just the normal things,” she said. “Decorating the tree and
baking cookies. Watching White Christmas on Christmas Eve.”

  “Is it good?”

  “Is what good?” Ellie asked.

  “The movie. I’ve never seen it.”

  “What?!” Ellie all but yelled. And he was glad to have pivoted the conversation onto happier waters. “You’ve never seen White Christmas? Are you even American?”

  Brady chuckled. “Yes.”

  “Well, then we need to rectify that right away. It’s iconic, Brady.” Ellie broke out into a song about sisters, laughing to herself, and Brady’s chest warmed. Never, in all of his life, had he felt the desire to watch an old movie about Christmas, but suddenly he wanted to see it very much. As long as Ellie watched it with him.

  “That’ll be my payment for coming to this party,” Ellie said, looking pleased with herself. “Once this party is over, you have to watch White Christmas with me.”

  Had she read his mind? He couldn’t contain his grin. “Deal.”

  The road was long but the trip seemed to pass quickly. Suddenly they were surrounded by golden, rolling hills dotted by trees and lined systematically with vines.

  “Welcome to the wine country,” Brady said.

  “It’s gorgeous,” Ellie said reverently. “I haven’t been up here in ages. I forgot how beautiful it was.”

  “Just wait until we get to my grandmother’s house. The view is amazing.”

  Ellie grinned, reaching forward to turn up the radio once again. Brady relaxed into his seat and tapped his thumb along to the beat of Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You while Ellie sang along.

  If only this didn’t have to end. If only he could drive around with Ellie all day and they didn’t have to see his family.

  Blowing out a breath of negative energy, Brady allowed the music—and Ellie’s voice—to wash over him as he enjoyed the final moments in the car.