me, I feel the tears falling down his eyes as well.
If I thought I loved Christmas in New York before, it was nothing compared to how much I love it now. There will never be one that beats this year.
I wipe my eyes as people around us congratulate us on the engagement. Seeing Hunter’s proud face makes me laugh. I lean over to kiss him again and almost fall to the ground when my skates slide out from underneath me. His large frame wraps around me, holding me securely and making me feel his promise to always be there for me.
“Come on, kid. Let’s get you off the ice. I’m sure my niece is dying for us to arrive, so she can have some pie.”
Heading to another Johnstone Christmas has been on the top of my mind for the last month. This time, I’m prepared, and I can’t wait to share my worst gift. I haven’t even let Hunter see it. When it comes to this game, all gloves are off, and I’m going to win!
I spend the drive with the biggest smile on my face, and my cheeks are starting to hurt because of it.
Then, I realize something. I jump in my seat and reach for my purse. “I have to call my parents.”
Hunter turns and smiles as he nods. “Put it on speakerphone, so I can hear their reaction.”
I hit the Call button and am bummed when Mom doesn’t answer. After I leave her a message, trying not to give anything away so I can hear her reaction firsthand, I try my dad but have no luck either—though for him, that’s not a surprise, as the man never has his phone on him.
Hunter pouts his lip at me, being funny and trying to brighten my mood because I wasn’t able to get ahold of them. “It’s okay. You’ll be able to tell them when they call you back. Didn’t you say they were going to their friend’s house tonight?”
I glance at my watch and realize that’s exactly where they are, so it’s probably a good thing they didn’t answer. The last thing I’d want when I told my parents I was engaged is them having a hard time hearing me because there was so much commotion around them and asking me to repeat myself. I can just see it now—me saying, I’m engaged, and them saying, Huh? I can’t hear you. What did you say?
I giggle to myself as I tuck my phone away, feeling better about not being able to reach them.
Hunter grabs my hand, rubbing his fingers over my ring. I place my other hand over his and lean to the side, resting my head back to take in the amazing view that is Hunter Johnstone for the rest of the drive.
When we pull into his parents’ driveway, memories of being here just one year ago make me smile. At the time, I wondered if they would even like me, and now, here I am, arriving as the future daughter-in-law.
Then, it hits me.
“Do they know you were proposing tonight?”
Hunter grins. “Why don’t you go in and find out?”
I narrow my eyes before jetting out of the car and racing toward the front door.
“Hey, wait for me. I’m getting married too. Don’t forget about the groom.”
I stop and wait for him to wrap me in his arms.
“Are you ready for your next surprise?”
“I can’t wait.” I lean up to give him a chaste kiss and head toward the door.
Before I can knock, it swings open, and everyone yells, “Surprise!”
I’m taken aback suddenly—not by the words said, but by the people standing in front of me. “Mom! Dad! You’re here!” I rush to hug them both at the same time. “When did you get here?”
My mom pulls back to see me more clearly. “We got here a few hours ago. Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”
“Merry Christmas, Mom. Merry Christmas, Dad.”
“Hey, what am I? Chopped liver?” I hear my brother say as he pushes through the crowd.
“Liam?” I ask in disbelief as I give him a big hug. “I can’t believe you’re all here.”
“Yep, thanks to this man right here. Thanks again for setting this up,” Liam says to Hunter as he reaches out to shake Hunter’s hand.
“So?” I hear Ella ask loudly from beside us.
I glance to Hunter and nod.
“She said yes!” he shouts out, and they all cheer.
He wraps his arms around me and kisses me in front of everyone we love and during my favorite holiday of the year.
Only this year, my Christmas miracle came true.
Before you go!
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About the Authors
Jeannine Colette
Jeannine Colette combines humor and angst in her sexy, stand-alone romance novels. Her stories feature dynamic heroines, and swoon-worthy heroes, who have to abandon their reality in order to discover themselves . . . and love along the way.
A graduate of Wagner College and the New York Film Academy, Jeannine went on to become a Segment Producer at CBS News and NBC. She left the television industry to focus on her children and pursue a full-time writing career. She lives in New York with her husband, the three tiny people she adores more than life itself, and a rescue pup named Wrigley.
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Lauren Runow
Lauren Runow is the author of multiple Adult Contemporary Romance novels, some more dirty than others. When Lauren isn't writing, you'll find her listening to music, at her local CrossFit, reading, or at the baseball field with her boys. Her only vice is coffee, and she swears it makes her a better mom!
Lauren is a graduate from the Academy of Art in San Francisco and is the founder and co-owner of the community magazine she and her husband publish. She lives in Northern California with her husband and two sons.
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Acknowledgments
Such a series is quite the undertaking, but we knew we could do it with the help of our wonderful PA, Autumn Gantz with Wordsmith Publicity. We can’t thank you enough for guiding us through and making sure we were on track while we had our heads in each book.
A huge thank you to Chelle Lagoski Northcutt for being our beta reader.
Our books wouldn’t be what they are today without the help of Jovana Shirley with Unforeseen Editing. It blows our minds the things she’s able to spot and make sure the book flows for consistency. We’re so grateful for Allisia Wysong also for helping us with a quick proofread!
And of course, we can never thank our readers enough. Without you guys we wouldn’t be able to follow our dreams and have our daily conversations from different sides of the United States. We found our friendship through books, and get to continue due to your support.
Thank you!