by Amelia Wilde
Ryan stops at the first one and pulls out my chair for me.
“You can’t do this, you know.”
“Do what?” He takes the seat opposite me and grins. “Make all your dreams come true on our first date?”
“I think technically this is our second date. But yes. You can’t do all of this in forty-eight hours. My heart can’t take it.”
He reaches for my hand across the table. What my heart can’t take is the way he looks at the ring on my finger. There’s pride in his face, yes, but such relief. Such love. I cannot cry at the parade platform. That would be too much.
A shadow falls over us.
I know who it is before I look up.
“Hi, Daddy.” I get out of my seat and hug him. “Mom. Merry Christmas.”
She’s already spotted it. My mom takes my hand with a grim set to her mouth. She can’t bring herself to speak.
Then Ryan is standing there too, a winning smile on his face. “We’re so happy to announce our engagement.” He puts a hand on the small of my back.
Three days ago I might have apologized. Made some excuse. Screw that. “Yes, Mom. We’re engaged. Do you have anything to say to Ryan?”
This is a real pickle for them, and I know it. My dad is as red as the bow on the front of the platform, and my mom is paler than the snow. But here we are, up on the platform for the whole town to see, and what are they going to do? I’m wearing an engagement ring. People will have noticed. This is Mistletoe, after all.
“Congratulations,” grits out my father. Then he moves past us to the table on the opposite end of the platform.
My mother opens her mouth. Closes it. Opens it again. “Congratulations, Ellie.” She draws me in for a hug.
Then she turns to Ryan.
And hugs him too.
“We’ll see you for lunch after the parade?”
“Of course you will.” Ryan’s so sure of himself that for the hundredth time today I fall in love with him. “I hope there’s leftover pie.”
My mom cracks a smile. It looks difficult. “There’s more than enough,” she says. “I hope you’ll be there.”
She hurries after my dad, and as soon as Ryan blocks them from view, the sun comes out.
The rest of the town VIPs arrive, including the mayor, who pretends to be astonished at Ryan’s nice clothes. “Just kidding,” he says, clapping Ryan on the shoulder. “I’ve been following your company. Let us know if you ever want a satellite branch. I’d put in a good word with the Chamber.”
“Did you hear that?” I ask Ryan as he sits down again. Everybody wants to shake his hand. I was wrong before—they weren’t staring at him at my mother’s party because he’s the town troublemaker. They were staring because he’s a minor celebrity. “He’ll put in a good word with the Chamber.”
“I don’t need a Christmas-themed shipping business,” he murmurs into my ear, and then we’re both laughing. Both happy. Both home for the holidays. “Look, the parade is starting.”
I thread my fingers through his and he raises my hand to his lips and brushes a kiss over my knuckles. It is a Merry Christmas. The merriest one yet.
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Connect with Amelia
Amelia Wilde is a USA TODAY bestselling author of steamy contemporary romance and loves it a little too much. She lives in Michigan with her husband and daughters. She spends most of her time typing furiously on an iPad and appreciating the natural splendor of her home state from where she likes it best: inside.
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P.S. There’s more where that came from!
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The New York Billionaires Series
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Single Dad’s Waitress: Ryder isn’t looking for love, but he can’t help falling for the waitress serving him pancakes in his brand-new town.
Single Dad’s Barista: Dash isn’t in Lakewood to make friends. He’s here to crush the competition… until he meets his rival and things reach a boiling point.
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Copyright Information
© 2020 Amelia Wilde
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means whatsoever without express written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. If you would like to share this book with another person, please pur
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For more books by Amelia Wilde, visit her online at www.awilderomance.com
