Flown in for Christmas

Five.

Joy

I stare ahead as I make my slow, cautious way over to Mr. Davis.

He’s standing in the middle of baggage claim in a poorly shaped heart made of rose petals while holding a massive bouquet of red roses.

My mind is struggling to grasp what’s going on.

If I didn’t know any better, I’d say it looks like he’s ready to propose to someone. Only, as far as I know, based on the office gossip courtesy of Lisa, Mr. Davis is a bachelor. He’s been single for the last few years—something about a messy breakup caused by a distant family member.

So, what’s he doing? Does he have a secret relationship? Is that why he called me here, to help him plan his proposal ?

It’s the only plausible explanation.

Well, if this is his setup, it’s not bad. Rather romantic, I think. Picking up your sweetheart from the airport and proposing to them on the spot? I’d take that.

Although, he could’ve worn something a little nicer for the occasion.

He’s dressed in a heavy, outdoor coat with a black hoodie underneath and dark wash jeans paired with winter boots. I’ve never seen him so casual, so…out of the office. His thick chestnut hair is a little disheveled and I notice there’s a beanie half-stuffed in his pocket. He hasn’t appeared to have shaved since the last time I saw him at the company Christmas party, letting a dusting of facial hair grow over his strong jaw the last day or so. It’s a good look on him.

I bob and weave around the clusters of people, and go right to him. I put on a smile to try and mask how tired and ridiculously cold I am given we’re indoors.

“Hi, how are—”

Mr. Davis doesn’t give me a chance to finish before he’s wrapping a strong arm around my waist. He pulls me in, nearly crushing the beautiful bouquet between us. I gasp as our bodies touch in such a way that feels highly inappropriate and deliciously hot all at once.

“I’ll explain everything, I swear,” he whispers deeply in my ear, his breathing rapid alongside his hushed words. “Play along.”

Huh? Play along with what ?

He takes the smallest step back, pushing the bouquet of roses into my fumbling hands.

I’m so confused. I must have misheard that last part. “What are you—”

I gasp as Mr. Davis drops down to one knee right in front of me.

He clears his throat and digs in his jacket pocket before pulling out that signature, black velvet ring box most women hope to see one day.

I watch in disbelief as he opens the box, revealing a rose gold, diamond engagement ring that looks so delicate, so stunning, it steals the breath from my lungs. Another small gasp slips out of me as I hug the bouquet to my chest. I’ve never seen anything like it. Wherever he got this ring, it’s clearly one of a kind.

Dark chocolate eyes, molten with clear determination in this moment—and nerves—hold my gaze. I’ve never seen Mr. Davis this nervous before. The next words out of his mouth, however, nearly knock me over, “Joy Mara Bell, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?”

My eyes widen and I feel every muscle in my body tense. I’m so dang flabbergasted, all I can do is stare at him. What did he just say? Marry him ?

How does he know my middle name?

“Say yes,” he whispers, nearly hissing the words under his breath.

What is going on? “Mr. Da—”

“Say. Yes ,” he hisses again, his face heating. There’s desperation in the way he’s gazing up at me from his vulnerable position—down on one knee in the middle of baggage claim with dozens of travelers stopped to watch a seemingly romantic proposal.

My throat struggles to work.

He’s serious.

No, correction: He is dead serious.

Play along , he said. But I can’t form words right now, so all I do is nod vigorously. My body is shaking from the shock—of whatever this is—and the fact it feels like I’m about to cry. This is probably the last thing he wants to see, but I don’t think I can stop the floodgates on this one.

No one’s ever proposed to me before.

Is it lame if I get choked up at the mere premise of being proposed to? Maybe, but if this is a play-it-out situation, I would hope the lucky lady who ends up on the other end of this proposal sheds a few tears as well.

Mr. Davis beams as he gets to his feet. He wraps me in his strong embrace and plucks me off my feet. I instinctively throw my arms around his neck as he holds me against him.

Several people begin clapping and cheering around us.

The tears fall as I choke out a quiet sob, squeezing my boss around his neck. My boss . I must be delirious from the lack of sleep I’ve gotten over the last two days, because I swear, he holds me back just as tight. His arms should not feel this good. His embrace is like a warm, cozy blanket that I want to cocoon myself in and never come out of .

When he sets me back on my feet, I pull away with a sniffle. “Sorry,” I whisper, barely audible as I quickly wipe my wet cheeks and try to fix the crushed roses in the bouquet. I feel so…embarrassed. Who cries at a fake proposal?

The last ten hours of my life have been complete chaos. I came here to help my boss with an emergency, not get all gushy over his practice proposal.

Mr. Davis leans down, his arms still around my waist. “Don’t be.” He brushes the dampness from my cheeks with his thumb. “You’re doing great, Joy. I’ll explain everything when we’re alone.”

I don’t get a chance to register his words before he takes my left hand in his. My heart nearly stops as he removes the engagement ring from the box and slips it onto my ring finger.

This ring is too darn gorgeous and fits too darn good for me to be even attempting to think straight. I choke back another sob. I’m too emotional for this.

“Why—” I’m dazed, my mind a muddled mess as he leans down and kisses my forehead.

I can’t even remember what I was about to ask him.

“You’re my fiancée, remember that,” he says against my flushed skin. “And call me Nick,” he adds while tucking me under his arm and turning us toward a group of people coming this way.

“Did she say yes?” An older man chuckles, earning a collective laugh from the group.

Before I know it, I’m promptly thrown into a whirlwind of introductions as Nick Davis’ fiancée.