Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 37751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
“What’s this?”
“Your termination letter,” he says. “You’re officially fired.”
“What?”
“You didn’t give me a chance to say everything I intended to say at the office, and I wanted to make sure I delivered the news in person.”
My mouth is hanging wide open, and like the clear asshole that he is, he joins me on the top step and gently presses my lips shut.
“I assigned someone to clear out your desk, but you’re more than welcome to stop by anytime and check to make sure they got everything,” he says. “Oh, and before you ask, yes. You will receive a very generous severance package.”
“So, you’re firing me because you kissed me in the office and I didn’t kiss you back?”
“First of all, you definitely kissed me back. Second of all, no, this really has been a long time coming, and it’s what’s best for you.”
“So, you’re firing me on Christmas Eve?”
“Would you prefer Christmas Day?”
“I would prefer not to get fired at all.”
“You probably should’ve been a better employee, then.” He pauses. “Before November, anyway.”
I wait for him to tell me this is some twisted joke, but he looks dead-ass serious.
“Thank you very much, Mr. Reiss.” I step back. “I appreciate you coming here to personally fire me, minutes after you were trying to fuck me in your office.”
“You’re very welcome, Miss Grey,” he says. “I’d like to finish the rest of our conversation, though.”
“Fuck you.” I step back. “This is the end.”
“Georgia…”
“I’m so glad I never crossed the line with you,” I say. “You would’ve been an even bigger mistake than dating a cheater like Dante.”
He narrows his eyes. “Excuse me?”
“Yeah, that’s exactly it.” I shrug.
I slam the door in his face before he can respond, and I ignore his incessant knocking that comes right after.
I’m not sure why, but his firing me feels far worse than what Dante and Jessica did.
Hours later, I slip into a cab and hold back tears as I add a message to my family’s group chat.
On my way home. Excited to spend Christmas with you all!
Grandma Hattie
We’re excited to see you, too! We’re waiting with bated breath to meet Mr. Dante, too!
Cousin Taryn
I hope he looks as sexy as his name is!
Savannah
Grandma is in this chat, Taryn!
Cousin Taryn
So…We’re only supposed to speculate about sex stuff in our cousin-only group chat? Is that the rule? (Can we discuss whether Georgia’s fiancé is hot or not?)
I don’t have the heart to tell them I’m coming home alone or have just been fired.
All I know is that I’m done with Utah, the corporate world, and this will be the worst Christmas I ever have in my life.
I fucking promise…
SIX MONTHS LATER
SEVEN
GROUP CHAT
GEORGIA
Cousin Taryn
OMG! Did you see the enormous bouquet of lilies and roses that Dante sent to Georgia last week? It. Was. MASSIVE!!!!
Savannah
No, but I got your pictures! It was TRULY stunning, Georgia. I couldn’t stop staring at them.
Thank you. <3
I think Dante really likes me…
Cousin Taryn
You mean LOVES you. He sends you a new handwritten card from every business trip and calls you every night. I’ve overheard you all talking for HOURS whenever I visit.
I think it’s sweet that he’s holding off on proposing to you in front of your family since he had that emergency meeting last year.
Savannah
It’s super sweet. I’ll have my fiancé talk to him and get some tips.
Grandma Hattie
You should see what he sent her to the resort last week! .mp4 .video.
Savannah
OMFG!!!! How did he get them to set up that Eiffel Tower cake?
Cousin Taryn
You told him that he HAS to come this Christmas, right? It’s been six months!
Georgia
Has it been that long already? Wow, time is flying…
I mark my calendar for the December day when Dante will die tragically in a freak paragliding accident, and then they can forget he ever existed.
And I can stop spending so much money on this ruse…
FIVE & A HALF MONTHS AFTER THAT
EIGHT
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO
GEORGIA
Three Weeks Before Christmas This Year
My mother used to say, “Always give your all, no matter what type of job you have.”
While my sister believed that advice and applied it to her life, I was happy to use my father’s amendment instead: “Find a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
I have both of their words engraved on a locket, and I’m twisting it through my fingers as I board one of The Grace Estate’s trolleys.
When I make it to the main lodge, I walk inside the lobby and inhale the familiar scent of sweet balsam and crushed pine.
This is going to be the best Christmas ever.
“You have an appointment waiting for you in the lobby, Miss Grey.”
“With who?”
“It’s a different Miss Grey.”
Confused, I follow her to the lobby and spot Savannah.
“You don’t need to schedule time with me,” I say. “You can just call.”
“It’s about my wedding.”
“What about it?”