CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Abby

Light hits me directly in the eyes. Ugh . No way will I be able to sleep more, especially with how stiff my neck is. That’s strange because my bed and my pillow are two things I splurged on. As I blink my eyes open, I’m aware of two things: I’m on the couch, which explains my neck, and John’s arms are around me.

We must’ve fallen asleep together.

I can’t believe we’ve slept this way all night, but it doesn’t suck. Well, except for my neck. His warm breath against my temple feels oh so right. I know I can’t get used to this, even if I’d really like to.

Powerfluff meows. She is lying between us, and her grumpy expression suggests she would prefer to have the couch to herself. I smile first at John, who is my no-longer-fake boyfriend but still my boss, and then at my diva furry companion. Being together like this is cozy, and after Christmas with my family, waking up like this feels like I had the best dream ever.

John shifts slightly and opens his eyes. A slow smile forms on his lips. “Good morning.”

I yawn and smile back. “Good morning to you.”

He glances at the clock on the wall, squinting slightly. “I can’t believe we slept here all night.”

“We had a long day yesterday.”

Powerfluff bats at John’s leg, and I extricate myself from our little nest on the couch. I scoop my cat up and snuggle her. “She’s ready for her own space again.”

John rubs the back of his neck. “I’m sure. I need to get home, but I’d love a cup of coffee first.”

I head to the kitchen. “I can manage that.”

I set Powerfluff on the floor, and she trots off to her favorite spot by the window, casting a final disdainful glance over her shoulder as if to say, “ Finally, some peace .” John follows me into the kitchen, still stretching and yawning. I fill the coffee pot, eager for a cup myself.

John leans against the counter. “Your couch is comfortable.”

The rich aroma fills the air, and I inhale deeply, letting the smell wake me. “I know you’re being polite, because my neck doesn’t agree with you.”

“Nothing a good cup of coffee and stretching can’t fix.”

I pour us both steaming mugs and slide his across the counter, and we sip in companionable silence.

John leans forward. “If you don’t have plans later, I’d love to take you out.”

Yes! I wiggle my toes. “I’m available.”

“Good, because I have a surprise for you.”

“A surprise, huh?” I raise an eyebrow, trying to read him. “Should I be nervous?”

He shakes his head. “Nope, but you should be excited. Wear something comfortable. And maybe bring a change of clothes.”

That sounds different. “You’re not going to give me any more details, are you?”

“Nope, or it won’t be a surprise.” His gaze meets mine over the rim of his mug. “Trust me.”

I do trust him. And that thought warms me better than the coffee cup in my hand, considering that, after Jake, I never thought I’d trust another man.

John sets his coffee down and hugs me. “I’ll pick you up at four?”

“Four it is.”

He presses a gentle kiss to my forehead, and my heart swells. “I can’t wait to see you again.”

“Same.”

As he grabs his jacket and leaves, I can’t believe how Christmas with my boss has turned into so much more, and I have a real date with him.

After the door closes behind him, Powerfluff saunters into the kitchen, giving me a curious look. I grin, picking her up. “Looks like it’s just us for now, Fluff. But tonight, I get a surprise. And I have a feeling, if John’s involved, it’ll be special.”

* * *

With a vacation day ahead of me, I make a to-do list that includes unpacking and laundry. Not exactly fun activities, but tomorrow will be a “me” day full of self-care, and to be honest, I can’t relax when I have things to do around the apartment. Of course, I need to play with Powerfluff, too.

Other things I need to do pop into my mind. I haven’t checked my personal email in days. That’s a record for me, and I should make sure there’s nothing pressing. When I open my inbox, I see one from Hartwell & Co.

My heart pounds against my rib cage.

That’s the company I’ve had three rounds of interviews with. Did they finally decide about who to hire for the position? Wouldn’t an offer come via a telephone call? Why are they contacting me the day after Christmas?

None of the answers to my questions stop my stomach from churning. It’s a good thing I haven’t eaten anything and only drank coffee this morning.

Just open it .

My finger hovers above the email. I’m not sure what I want the email to say, which is strange because I really wanted the job. The company also has a great reputation.

Even though John explained why he treated me the way he did, that doesn’t mean my current job is the right one for me. And the odds are that this is another rejection.

I click the email and read.

Oh, my goodness . I got the job. “Powerfluff, your mama got the job.”

I’m happy, but the offer is bittersweet for one reason: John. I wonder what he’ll think.

Guess I’ll find out tonight.

Not thinking too much about the job offer, I hit my to-do list hard. I check items off one by one, and soon all my clothes are clean and nicely folded, the apartment is clean and shiny, and Powerfluff is worn out from playing and napping.

That means it’s time to get ready. After a quick shower, I search my closet for what to wear. Comfortable, with a change of clothes? What does he have planned?

I put on jeans and a soft sweater. That’s comfy and casual. I also pack a nicer outfit in my backpack just in case I need something a little different. As I’m applying the last touches of mascara, my phone pings. It’s a text from John.

John: I’m outside. Ready for an adventure?

So ready . I shimmy my shoulders and double-check Powerfluff’s water bowl and food. “Be good. I’ll be back later.”

I grab my coat, hat, scarf, and gloves in case we’ll be doing something outside.

“Love you.” I blow her a kiss, grab my bag, and head out of my apartment.

Outside, John is standing by his car, looking handsome in a casual button-down, jeans, and a puffy jacket. His face lights up when he sees me, and butterflies take flight in my stomach.

He opens the passenger door for me, and I slide into the seat, appreciating his manners. “Where are we going?”

John shakes his head. “You’ll see.”

Soon, we’re driving out of the city to the open countryside. The roads are plowed, but snow covers everything else. The tree branches are laden with white, so much it almost looks fake. I’ve never been out this way, and I can’t imagine where we’re going. “Are you taking me to Narnia?”

He laughs. “We’d need a wardrobe to go there.”

“True, but the wintry landscape gives off those vibes.”

Just as I’m about to ask about the surprise again, John turns off onto a narrow road that’s not plowed. His SUV easily handles the snow, but we hit a few bumps and divots in the road.

I hold on to the armrests. “You did say this would be an adventure.”

“Yes, though I was told the road had been cleared.”

That surprises me given the amount of snow. “I wonder what it was like before they cleared it.”

We bump along for a few minutes before emerging into a clearing. In a snow-covered field sits a horse-drawn sleigh. The horse is a gorgeous chestnut color with white on its nose.

I gasp. “Are you serious?”

“Surprise.” His grin lights up his face. “I thought this would be fun.”

I’m speechless, overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness of the gesture. He opens my car door and helps me out. The cold air nips at my face, but I don’t care if it starts snowing. I’m so excited to go on a sleigh ride with a real horse in snow. The closest thing I’ve ever done was a hayride drawn by a tractor at a pumpkin farm before Halloween.

As we approach the sleigh, a cheerful man in a thick winter coat greets us with a big smile and a wave. “Evening, folks. Ready for your ride?”

I can’t scramble onto the sled fast enough. Laughing, John sits next to me, placing his arm around me. “I don’t want you to get cold.”

“That’s what these are for.” The man hands us thick wool blankets. “But you’re not the first person to use that excuse to cuddle closer, and I’m sure you won’t be the last.”

I cover our laps and legs, then glance at John. “Leave your arm around me. That way, I’ll stay even warmer. And it’s cozier this way.”

“I’m all for warm and cozy.” He pulls me closer.

We glide through a winter wonderland. Everything is covered in pristine white snow, and I truly think I’ve been transported to Narnia—no wardrobe required. The silence is profound, broken only by the soft jingle of the horse’s bells. Lanterns hang off the sleigh, so as the sky darkens, we can still see around us. The soft light only makes the ride even more romantic.

“Thank you.” The words aren’t enough to express my gratitude. I turn toward John and kiss him. His lips are cold, but so are mine. The contact, however, warms me up.

“I should thank you for that kiss.”

“Or you could kiss me?”

John does, and my blood heats. I snuggle against him. “This was the best surprise.”

We return to where we started and say goodbye to our sleigh driver. As we walk to the car, I feel as if my feet are floating above the snow. “I can’t believe you took me on a sleigh ride. It was so incredible.”

“Yes, but the night’s not over yet.”

Snow falls from the sky, but this is more of a dusting compared to what fell on Christmas Eve. John drives us to a nearby lodge that’s made of wood. It almost looks like something from a movie.

John leads me inside to the lobby. A uniformed attendant takes us into a private room where we’re greeted by a roaring fire.

Steaming cups of hot cocoa and a plate of freshly baked cookies are waiting for us. I grin. “Dessert first. You thought of everything, didn’t you?”

“I tried. And since we didn’t get wet on the sleigh ride, there’s no reason to change clothes.”

After he put so much effort into our date, I wouldn’t mind getting dressed up for him, but this way, we can be comfortable instead of “fancy.”

We settle into plush armchairs by the fire, warming our hands on the cocoa mugs. As the snow falls gently outside the window, a sense of peace settles over me. “I’ve never even heard of this place.”

“I’ve been here a few times.”

That makes me wonder if this is a typical date for him, and unease surges through me.

“With my family,” John adds as if sensing my discomfort.

After the plate of cookies—which we put a huge dent into—is removed, a server brings a bottle of wine followed by a delicious-looking charcuterie board. I immediately think about eating something similar with his family on Christmas Day. This one is smaller but has lots of meat, cheese, and bread, not to mention veggies and dip. “This looks tasty.”

“It’s called hearty and is supposed to be enough for dinner. If it’s not—”

“It will be.” I don’t want John to think what he’s done isn’t perfect, because it is. I eat and drink until I’m full.

The date has gone so well, but I keep thinking about the email I got earlier. John has a right to know as my boyfriend, but it’s complicated because he’s also my boss. Even though I want to tell him, I don’t want to ruin this wonderful date. Keeping the information to myself, however, feels wrong. And a part of me wonders if I should’ve said something right away instead of waiting.

He leans toward me. “Something wrong?”

I fiddle with my napkin on my lap. “I need to tell you something.”

His smile disappears, and lines appear on his forehead. I’ve never seen him look so serious—almost sad. “Go ahead and say it.”

I don’t understand the sudden change in him. Unless he’s reconsidering the relationship. That can’t be it. If so, why would he have gone to so much trouble planning such a romantic date?

“Abby?” he asks.

I take a breath, trying to still all the worst-case scenario situations filling my brain. “Like my coworkers, I was sure you would fire me. I wanted to be proactive,, so for the last three months, I’ve been applying for a new job.”

“You want to leave?”

“I thought you hated me, and so did our entire office.” My words shoot out, one on top of the other. I need to calm down. “I don’t have a family like yours. I need to take care of myself, so I wanted to make sure I found a new job before you let me go.”

“I wouldn’t—”

“I know that now, but then…”

“That’s on me,” he admits. “Please know I’ll support whatever decision you make. If you get an offer, I’ll give you a glowing recommendation.”

He’s saying all the right words and sounds sincere, but… “Even if it means I won’t be working for you anymore?”

“Even then.”

I take a deep breath. It’s not enough, so I take another. “I received an offer today from Hartwell & Co.”

John’s eyebrows shoot up. “That’s a great opportunity. They’re one of the top firms in the city.”

I nod, studying his face for any sign of disappointment or anger. All I see is genuine happiness for me.

“It is,” I agree. “But I’m not sure if I want to take it anymore.”

John takes my hand in his. “You’re incredibly talented, and you deserve to be somewhere that values you. If that’s Hartwell & Co., then you should absolutely go for the position.”

I squeeze his hand, touched by his support. “But what about us?”

He smiles softly. “What’s between us isn’t conditional on you working for me. I care about you, and that has nothing to do with where you work. Whatever you decide, it’s fine.”

Relief washes over me, and I lean in to kiss him. Our lips meet in a gentle exploration. As the kiss deepens, warmth spreads through my chest, and my heart races. John’s hand cups my cheek, his thumb caressing my skin, sending tingles everywhere. I melt into him, savoring the taste of him. I wish we could get closer, but the table is in the way.

When we finally part, we’re both breathless. I see the same emotions reflected in John’s eyes—hope, affection, and a promise of something beautiful unfolding between us. This kiss feels different from the others—tender yet passionate, familiar yet thrilling, and filled with possibilities. It’s those possibilities that feel the newest and most exciting.

I’m also relieved he doesn’t care whether or not I accept the job offer. Each breath comes easier. We chat about our college days and learn we both love football, though we root for different teams.

As we drive back to the city, the winding country road gradually gives way to suburban sprawl. I wish this date could keep going, but it’s getting late.

John glances over at me. “You’re awfully quiet.”

“Just taking it all in. Ever since Christmas and standing up to Rachel, I feel like I’m not drifting through life and reacting to whatever happens to me.” Being with him only adds to my feelings.

He places his hand over mine. “You deserve to feel in control of your life.”

His touch sends tingles rushing up my arm. I nod. “It’s scary but exhilarating, too. I have choices to make, and I’m ready to do that.”

“I’m proud of you,” he says.

I sit straighter. The town’s lights twinkle around us, mirroring the spark of hope I feel inside.

“Thank you.” I spread my fingers so his fall between mine. “For everything.”

At my apartment building, John parks and walks me to my door. We linger, neither wanting the night to end. The hallway is quiet except for the soft hum of the building’s heating system and our slightly quickened breaths.

“Thank you again for tonight.” I look up at him. “It was perfect.”

“You’re perfect.” His gaze roams my face as if memorizing every detail. “Perfect for me.”

He captures my lips in a kiss that steals my breath away. It’s tender and exploring but quickly deepens into a more passionate kiss. My arms wind around his neck, my fingers in his hair, as I kiss him back. When we finally part, we’re both breathing heavily.

“Wow.” I inhale, feeling lightheaded and giddy.

“Wow is right.” John laughs. “I’d love to stay, but I need to go. Can I see you tomorrow?”

I nod, unable to keep the smile off my face. “I’d like that.”

John leans in for one more quick kiss before stepping back. “Sweet dreams.”

As he walks away, my heart is full, and my lips tingle from his kiss. I can’t help but think that my dreams couldn’t possibly be sweeter than this reality.