But Alina refuses to give up. She plans to show Graham the specialness of Stirling Apartments. And with some holiday magic, they begin to see each other as much more than the opposition. In fact, beneath the twinkle of Christmas lights, they find themselves falling for each other. But will it be enough to see them through their challenges?
Because when all is said and done, one person may have to give up what they desire most. And it may not be what they started out wanting—a home or a legacy—it might be something much dearer.
Happy reading,
Jennifer
Fairytale Christmas with the Millionaire
Jennifer Faye
Award-winning author Jennifer Faye pens fun, heartwarming contemporary romances with rugged cowboys, sexy billionaires and enchanting royalty. Internationally published, with books translated into nine languages, she is a two-time winner of the RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award. She has also won the CataRomance Reviewers’ Choice Award, been named a Top Pick author and been nominated for numerous other awards.
Books by Jennifer Faye
Harlequin Romance
The Bartolini Legacy
The Prince and the Wedding Planner
The CEO, the Puppy and Me
The Italian’s Unexpected Heir
Greek Island Brides
Carrying the Greek Tycoon’s Baby
Claiming the Drakos Heir
Wearing the Greek Millionaire’s Ring
The Cattaneos’ Christmas Miracles
Heiress’s Royal Baby Bombshell
Once Upon a Fairytale
Beauty and Her Boss
Miss White and the Seventh Heir
Snowbound with an Heiress
Her Christmas Pregnancy Surprise
Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles.
Praise for
Jennifer Faye
“This talented author once again excels in her talent as a storyteller. Grabbing your attention from the first page to the last, the story is touching and at times heartbreaking. Another beautiful story that will stay with you for a very long time.”
—Goodreads on Her Christmas Pregnancy Surprise
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Epilogue
CHAPTER ONE
CHRISTMAS WAS IN the air…
Cheerful holiday tunes played on the radio. The Manhattan storefronts were trimmed in shiny tinsel and twinkle lights. And right here on Holly Lane, the Stirling Apartments’ foyer was decked out with lush garland and a pencil Christmas tree adorned with white lights and red satin balls.
This was hands down Alina Martin’s favorite time of the year. She loved to sing the uplifting carols, all the while pretending she could carry a tune. She loved to decorate the tree. And she loved how the holiday season brought out the best in people. However, this year she was hoping for a Christmas miracle to keep her from losing her beloved home.
But at the moment, her immediate attention was focused on finding her apron. Mentally she recounted her actions the prior evening. The day hadn’t been much out of the ordinary. She’d worked the morning shift at the restaurant tending to the party planning as well as helping out in the dining room before rushing home to do her second job as building manager. Even with a rent-controlled apartment, it wasn’t cheap living in New York City. And yet there was nowhere else in the world she’d rather live.
“Mrrrr…”
She glanced down to find her ginger cat, who she’d affectionately named Prince. They’d first met at a local park. She’d been out for a walk, trying to achieve her ten thousand steps a day, when she’d stopped at a local animal rescue adopt-a-thon. Long story short, Prince picked her out and the rest was history.
When Prince rubbed against her leg, she said, “Begging won’t work. You already had breakfast.”
“Meow.”
Sometimes it was like he could truly understand what she said, “Sorry, sweetie, I can’t hold you, either. I have to leave.”
“Mrrrr…”
He strode away, probably headed back to bed. She wished she could join him.
Alina turned her focus back to her missing apron. She rushed over to the dryer, where she found it at the back of the machine. It was a bit wrinkled. She shook it out with a couple of quick snaps. Good enough.
She rolled up her apron and then stuffed it in her oversize purse. She threw on her red winter coat, a knit cap and her boots. Out the door she went. Noticing the elevator was at the top floor, she opted for the stairs instead. Hers wasn’t a large building, not by New York City standards. But within its five floors, it housed the people she liked to refer to as her adopted family.
She exited the stairwell and rushed up the hallway. Meg, her best friend, stood in the lobby near the mailboxes. Her curly red hair was pulled back in a ponytail. However, instead of her usual sunny smile, she wore a distinct frown. Meg held up a letter. “Have you seen this?”
The worry in her friend’s warm brown eyes drew Alina’s concern. “What is it?”
“It’s another letter about them throwing us out.”
“What?” Alina rushed over to her mailbox. In her rush, she fumbled with her keys. They fell to the tile floor with a loud jangle.
With a groan of frustration, she bent over to retrieve the keys. Once the little door was open, she withdrew her copy of the letter. Her gaze scanned down over it. The new owner was willing to pay them extra to move out by the new year. That wasn’t going to happen.
With her back to the front door, Alina faced her friend. “Don’t worry. There’s nothing Toliver can do to rush things. He has to wait ninety days before he can begin eviction proceedings.”
“But that’s in February. Even that’s not much time to find a new place to live.”
One of their youngest and newest residents, Jimmy Greene, came rushing past them. He gave a quick nod in greeting but kept going. He must have another interview lined up at a software company. He’d inherited his grandmother’s rent-controlled apartment and was now struggling to find a job in the competitive market of online video gaming.
The door creaked open and closed behind him, letting the cold winter air rush in around them. It also reminded Alina that she had to get a move on.
“We’ll figure something out,” Alina said, hoping her voice sounded encouraging. “Even if I have to go back to that awful man’s office building and stage another protest in the foyer until he agrees to meet with me. From what I’ve read, he inherited his position and he doesn’t know what he’s doing. Well, that’s obvious.” She held up her copy of the letter as proof. “This isn’t going to change Stirling residents’ minds about moving. I’ve got to get to work. We’ll talk later.”
“I’ve got to get going, too. Remember, I have that weeklong seminar in LA. And then I’m spending the next couple of weeks in Wyoming with my parents. But I can cancel—the family visit, not the seminar—if you need me.”
“No. Go. Enjoy yourself. You haven’t seen your family in a year. I’ve got this.”
Uncertainty showed in Meg’s eyes. “You’re sure?”
“Positive.”
“Keep me
updated.”
“I will.” Alina gave her a brief hug. “We’ll talk soon.”
Alina spun around and immediately bumped into a solid force. She lifted her gaze, finding a tall man standing there. It was his brown eyes that immediately caught her attention. They were dark and mysterious. And she found herself drawn in by them.
The more she stared, the more she noticed a glint of irritation. Well, it wasn’t her fault he was standing in the middle of the foyer.
“Sorry,” she mumbled. And then she rushed right past him.
She’d have to run if she was to catch her train. She set off as quickly as she dared in the wet snow. As she kept moving, her thoughts returned to the mystery man in the lobby. Who was he? And what was he doing in her building? Well, it wasn’t her building but it was starting to feel that way because not only was she the building manager but she had also been unofficially elected to lead the charge to save the Stirling from being torn down and replaced by a flashy high-rise.
Though she didn’t relish the idea, perhaps it was time she made another visit to Mr. Toliver’s office. She’d been turned away before for not having an appointment. The problem was that every time she’d tried to set up an appointment, he was either away on business or unavailable for the foreseeable future. She was pretty certain they’d been delay tactics and he’d been in his office the whole time.
And when she’d staged a peaceful protest with other Stirling residents, hoping Mr. Toliver would no longer be able to ignore them, the police had been called. Her blood boiled every time she thought of that man avoiding her—avoiding the truth about the damage he was doing to people’s lives. The next time she wouldn’t be chased away so easily.
* * *
His teeth ground together.
Graham Toliver couldn’t believe those two young women had been bad-mouthing him—right in front of him no less. Surely they’d heard the outside door open when that young man held the door for him to enter.
Still, those women had kept talking, and not quietly, either. Hadn’t they heard his approaching footsteps? It wasn’t like he tiptoed around. Or hadn’t they cared who overheard them?
His muscles tensed. It was bad enough not having the confidence of his board but to have perfect strangers judge his qualifications to run his family’s business, well, that was quite another thing.
He was tempted to withdraw his very generous offer to get them to move out earlier. But he hesitated. He was a businessman above all else. He drew in a deep breath and then slowly blew it out.
He recalled the young woman with light blond hair and pink stripes streaked through it. When she’d bumped into him, their gazes had connected. For just a moment, it felt as though time had stood still. It was though he should know her, but he was positive they’d never met. He wouldn’t have forgotten those blue eyes framed by long, dark lashes.
No matter how cute he might find her, he couldn’t dismiss her words. Still, he shouldn’t let that rude woman’s words get to him. It was quite likely they’d never see each other again.
Instead of thinking of her mesmerizing eyes and how they’d made his heart jolt, he needed to focus on the reason for his visit. He was here to speak with the building manager. He withdrew a slip of paper from his pocket with a hastily scrawled name…
Did that say Al? He squinted. It didn’t help sort the squiggly line into letters. Now he was left to guess at the name. Alan? It seemed like a safe bet. As for the last name, it was easier to read. Martin. Alan Martin? Perhaps.
When he glanced up, he found he was alone in the lobby. He wasn’t used to people just strolling right by him like he was a nobody. At the office, people always wanted something from him. A signature here, an answer to a question there. It was always something. But at the Stirling Apartments, no one recognized him. Interesting.
For a moment, he wondered what it’d be like to not be the CEO of a billion-dollar business. A frown pulled at the corners of his mouth. That would never happen. Toliver Investments was his destiny. Without it, he’d be—well, he’d be nothing.
He made his way farther into the building. This Al or Alan guy shouldn’t be too hard to find as he was the building manager. And just like that, Graham happened upon a door with a black plaque that read Building Manager.
Graham rapped his knuckles on the door. No response. He checked the time. It wasn’t quite eight o’clock. Surely the guy would be at work by now. Didn’t everyone arrive early? His employees did.
Just as he raised his hand to knock once more, a door farther down the hall opened. An older man stepped into the hallway. They nodded to each other, then Graham turned his attention back to the door and knocked louder this time. Again, no sounds came from inside.
When the older man ambled down the hallway, Graham cleared his throat. “Excuse me. Do you know where I can find…” He glanced at the slip of paper once more. “An Al or Alan Martin?”
A smile lifted beneath the man’s bushy white mustache. “Try the Christmas Café.”
Why would he try there? But before he could formulate the question, the man had disappeared onto the nearby elevator. Graham glanced around for someone else to ask but the hallway was empty.
It would have helped if his investigator had left him a phone number for the building manager. After all, he had to find this Al guy. He was obviously getting the tenants worked up about not moving—as was evidenced by the two young women Graham had encountered in the lobby.
He once more glanced at his Rolex. Time was ticking by and he’d missed breakfast this morning. He supposed a quick stop at the Christmas Café wouldn’t be so bad. He’d promised his board he’d make progress on getting the tenants to move out early—by the beginning of the year—because time was money and money spoke volumes at board meetings.
And so he set off for the restaurant. Once he tracked down this Alan guy, Graham was determined they’d come to some sort of resolution. He just had to find out the guy’s price.
CHAPTER TWO
SHE’D MADE IT to work with literally a minute to spare.
Alina didn’t like to be late for anything. Her father used to say it was a trait she’d inherited from her mother. Alina had to take his word for it because she’d been too young when her mother had passed for her to remember those sorts of details.
What she did remember of her mother was that she was kind and loving. She remembered her mother’s smile; it was bright and glowing, warm and welcoming. But sometimes Alina wondered if that was a real memory or just something she’d picked up from staring at her mother’s pictures—the ones she’d been able to salvage and hide from her wicked stepmother. Once Alina’s father had remarried, her stepmother had rid their Manhattan apartment of everything that was a remembrance of Alina’s mother—as though she could just wipe away the past.
But when it came to Alina, her stepmother couldn’t just toss her out with the trash. Though Alina knew if she could, her stepmother would have done exactly that. Alina’s father used to say Alina was the spitting image of her mother. Alina didn’t see it. Not really. But everyone who had known her mother agreed. She was her mother’s mini-me.
Alina pushed aside thoughts of the past because if she didn’t start taking orders and serving up food, she wouldn’t get tipped. And if she didn’t get tipped, she wouldn’t make her rent payment. And that would just be one more excuse for the new building owner to kick her to the curb as soon as possible.
Alina’s mouth pulled into a distinct frown. How could someone be so cold and calculating, especially at this time of the year? Her gaze lifted, taking in the twinkle lights trimming the edge of the ceiling. This upscale restaurant went overboard with the decorations. It was part of its charm. The white walls were now adorned with Christmas prints. Large, red poinsettias were strategically placed about the dining room. A pencil tree stood near the hostess station with white lights and silver ornaments. And
then there was Santa all done up in his red velvet and snowy white trim. Next to him were elves in their red overalls and pointed hats.
“Hurry up.” Her manager, Sally, softened the order with a smile. “It’s going to be a busy day.”
“How can you tell?” Alina asked.
“When you’ve been working here as long as I have, you can feel it in your bones.”
Alina arched a brow at Sally. She didn’t believe her. There was more to the woman’s reliable fortune-telling than feeling it in her bones. The woman definitely had a sixth sense about her.
Sally leaned in and said conspiratorially, “There are going to be flurries all day. No accumulation but enough to put people in the holiday spirit. They’ll be out and about trying to put a dent in their Christmas shopping. Mark my words.”
“I believe you.” And with that Alina tied her apron, not having time to worry about the wrinkles.
The restaurant wasn’t overly busy. The early breakfast crowd had moved on. But with this being the holiday season, shoppers would stop by the café off and on all day, in between finding just the right gift for that special someone in their life.
Not that Alina would know about that as her last boyfriend had broken up with her after just six months together. When the former building manager quit and moved to Florida where the winters were so much warmer, she’d taken on the building manager position to help pay off her credit card bills. But having two jobs took up a lot of time. These days she never had time in her busy schedule to go out on dates. She couldn’t blame her ex for breaking up with her. When she wasn’t working at the restaurant, she was on call to help the Stirling residents with all of their problems. Some she could help with, others she had to call in professionals.
Alina had just turned in an order when Sally walked up to her. “I have someone at one of my tables requesting you. At least I think it’s you he wants.”
Harlequin Romance December 2020 Box Set Page 48
