Flown in for Christmas

Eighteen.

Joy

A Davis Christmas party is unlike any family gathering I have ever been to. There’s food on every table, drinks galore, games for the kids and even the adults, and a dessert table that Betty Crocker herself would weep at the sight of.

And the number of family and friends is… Fifty? Sixty? I’ve honestly lost count.

Not everyone can be this lucky, to be surrounded by love at the holidays. A time that can be the most depressing of the year for some. I’ve been thanking my lucky stars for the last few hours that I’m spending Christmas here.

My gaze flicks to the other side of the room where Nick mingles. He looks so animated, talking with his hands and laughing. He has the ear of everyone around him and I can see the pure joy he has on his face being surrounded by the people he loves most. He’s in his element.

And he looks damn good in those black slacks and navy dress shirt with the cuffs rolled up mid-forearm. He grinned when he saw the strappy deep blue dress I chose for the party—it hugs tight to my curves in a way that didn’t feel exactly ‘family holiday friendly’ so I borrowed a cream-knit cardigan from his sister. He teased that we are a ‘real couple’ now that we’re matching.

My heart swooned a bit harder than advisable by any cardiologist.

Getting ‘accidentally’ high for the first time wasn’t what I expected—aside from being a tad panicky at the start. Nick stayed with me the entire night, though, and I felt safe. Even if he was also under the influence.

The way we talked and laughed and simply enjoyed each other’s company…

I’m in love with him .

I fell for my fake fiancé.

And now I don’t know what to do except…tell him how I feel.

Tonight , I tell myself. I’ll tell him tonight .

“We’re happy with two,” Natalie tells Betty’s Aunt Sylva who flew in as a surprise for her niece. I think she told me she was eighty-nine. But she sure doesn’t act like it. “Martina and I don’t want to be outnumbered during the teenage years. ”

Sylva hoots. “Oh, dear, with your history and genetics, you’ll be chasing after those kids like they were you. Your poor mother didn’t know what to do half the time. Karma, as they say.”

Natalie rolls her eyes, glancing at me. She gestures in my direction. “And what about poor Joy over here, Auntie? Nick was way worse than me. Their kids will be bouncing off the walls or—”

“Swinging from the trees,” they say in unison, laughing at what I can only assume is a story I have yet to hear about my real-boss-fake-fiancé.

“Woah, woah, woah.” Nick chuckles, appearing to my left. His hand slides around my waist in a way that makes the action feel natural. I melt into him. “I thought we had an agreement, Aunt Sylva,” he says. “No embarrassing stories until after we’re married.”

She waves him off. “Bah. I never agreed to such terms.”

“I certainly didn’t,” Natalie announces, her eyes alight with mischief. “You’re gonna die when you hear this, Joy. Go on, Auntie. You tell it best.”

The sound of silver tapping glass has the spacious living room quieting. We refocus our attention on Nick’s parents standing beside the fireplace with glasses in hand as if they’re preparing to make a toast.

“Thank you all for coming out tonight,” he begins, grinning from ear to ear as his gaze sweeps the crowd. “It’s been a heck of a year as we all know, but even in these unsure times, life continues to surprise us. Today we have the honor of celebrating the future and all the Joy that is to come…” Bruce chuckles, raising his non-alcoholic beer to the sound of clapping.

“Ah, shit,” Nick mutters from beside me.

“What is it?” I whisper, suddenly nervous.

“Now, some of you may have already heard the exciting news,” Betty chimes in, putting her hands up in front of her. “We all know I have a hard time keeping a secret.” She beams as several guests laugh. Betty waves for Nick and I to join them.

“They’re announcing our engagement,” Nick grits low for only me to hear. He takes my hand and tugs me alongside him to the front of the room.

My cheeks heat involuntarily at the reminder of last night in this very spot.

If they only knew .

“There’s someone here tonight that I’d like you all to meet,” Betty says, turning to her son. “Nick?”

“Nick who?” Rich calls out with a laugh.

The room breaks out in laughter as the wide band of Nick’s arm wraps around my waist. His palm splays over my hip with a firm touch. My body screams for more—more of him, more of last night, more of everything that is: Nick Davis .

He brings me in flush against his side. “Not too long ago, I met this amazing woman.” He gazes down at me. “She’s everything I could ever want. Beautiful, kind, caring. She knows me better than I know myself, and it made me question a lot of things. For starters, how could I fall in love with this woman in such a short amount of time?” He grins. “But she made it impossible not to.” My heart is in my throat. Love? “So tonight, I am happy to introduce to you the woman who stole my heart, my fiancée, and the future Mrs. Davis, Joy Bell, everyone!” he announces proudly.

Hoots and applause follow along with cheers of congratulations. My gaze grows glossy as Nick sweeps me off my feet for a kiss at the crowd’s demand. He holds me close as he swings me across his front, dipping me low before kissing me. The kiss is firm and sure and far too short in my opinion. When he lifts me and pulls away, I reach out to swipe the bit of lipstick from his mouth. He smiles as several awes break out around us. I blush.

Multiple members of Nick’s family approach to congratulate us personally and the party begins to return to normal—

“Excuse me. If I could get everyone’s attention!” Eric steps forward, his expression unreadable as he turns to Nick’s parents. “If it’s all right, Uncle Bruce, I’d like to make an announcement.”

Bruce raises a brow but nods—though his wife appears reluctant, casting a concerned look at her husband. Nick squeezes my hand from our front-row seats to…whatever is about to happen.

Eric shifts his gaze to Darcy standing poised beside the Christmas tree. “My love,” he starts, taking her hand in his as he drops to one knee. Quiet gasps echo around the room as Eric retrieves a small box from under the tree. “Will you marry me?”

Nick snorts, muttering, “Creative.”

I stifle a laugh, nudging him with my elbow .

Darcy puts on the show of a lifetime—clutching her imaginary pearls, gaping at the unopened box, and fluttering her lashes as if tears have begun to build there. “Oh, pookie bear!”

Across the room, Rich has to turn around, both hands over his mouth as he desperately tries to control his laughter. Leah smacks him.

“Of course, I will,” she squeals, leaping into her new fiancé’s embrace. Everyone claps at the sudden display of love. Eric opens the ring box to reveal…nothing but a speck of lint.

Confusion radiates throughout the room as silence falls.

Eric turns his attention to me . Holding out his hand, he says, “The ring, Joy.”

I freeze, shocked at what he could be implying. But the cold demeanor, the look of triumph, and the clear ask, I have no doubt, he knows . My head snaps to Nick.

His brow is furrowed with an undertone of that hatred he has for his cousin lingering just below the surface. I can only imagine he has the urge to deck the smug look off his cousin’s face a second time. “What?”

Darcy positions herself in front of her now fiancée. She rolls her eyes. “Your engagement is a sham,” she announces, her chin raised with a smug smile. “Tell us, Nick , how much is your assistant making being here posing as your girlfriend—oh, I’m sorry, fake fiancée.”

The party comes to a complete halt, the music stops abruptly with a scratch of vinyl .

Nick scowls, his hold on my hand painful. “You’re out of line, Darcy.”

“Am I?” She scoffs, crossing her arms in defense. “Show them, Eric.”

Eric pulls a folded paper from his back pocket, handing it to Nick’s parents. Bruce brings his glasses over the bridge of his nose, staring at god only knows. Betty reads over his shoulder. Her expression falls as it lifts to her son. “Nick?” she asks softly, glancing at me. “Joy?”

You could hear a pin drop on carpet waiting for a response.

I want to find the nearest hole, crawl inside, and cry for days.

Tears well in my eyes, my gaze locked with Betty’s as I shake my head. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t—” The words lodge in my throat, a choked sob escaping me.

Nick’s hand falls to wrap around my waist, tugging me against him. Protective to a fault. Yet, the words needed to explain this—this ruse seems to be eluding us both. How could anyone explain what we’re doing—why we’re doing it? And his cousin just proposed in front of everyone…

This is so messy. I have no idea where to even start.

“We thought you should know the kind of person your son is, Bruce,” Darcy states firmly, clearly not at a loss for words. “Allowing a stranger to come into your home and wear such a stunning family heirloom. An imposter tainting the sanctity of Christmas.” She shakes her head. “What were you thinking, Nicholas? Did you ever stop to think about what this could do to your father’s health? The stress alone is—”

“Enough,” Nick barks, his jaw ticking. The heat in his gaze falters as his father finally looks up from the paper in hand. “Joy had nothing to do with this. It was all my idea. And yeah, sure, it started as a lie, but it’s not anymore. I love her—”

A commotion sounds from the foyer, a muffled, “ North Tree Sheriff’s department ,” has a gasp passing my lips as does everyone in the room. Did they call the police ?

The crowd parts under the archway to reveal three deputies. “We have a warrant for the arrest of Billy Shoemocker.”

Heads turn, people stare around the room until Bruce speaks up, “There’s no one here by that—”

“Joy!” My father appears between officers, his gaze quickly scans the room. His grey suit is ruffled, his tie crooked, his salt and pepper hair mussed, and the worry lines around his eyes are deeper than usual.

“Dad,” I breathe, stepping forward.

“Jesus, Joy,” he says, his heart pounding against my ear as he pulls me into his chest. “I’ve been calling you for hours.” He holds me at arm’s length. “Where is he?”

I blink rapidly. “What—Who? Dad, what are you doing here?”

“Eric Davis,” he seethes, his gaze lifting over my head. “He’s wanted for several charges of fraud, blackmail, identity theft, and is up for extradition to Canada for second-degree murder.” He points behind me. “There, Sheriff. Arrest him. ”

Two officers move in and all hell breaks loose. Eric—or Billy—makes a beeline for the patio doors, shoving guests left and right before he’s tackled to the ground. Obscenities fly. Chaos ensues.

Amidst it all, attention is called to Bruce and Betty who pale at the revelation, needing to take a seat to gather themselves amongst the excitement. Their faces are a mixture of shock, hurt, and betrayal.

Nick and Natalie go to them immediately.

I stay back, watching everything unfold before my very eyes. This is all my fault. Several guests stare at me as Betty begins to weep uncontrollably, and I have never felt smaller under their questioning gazes.

I never intended for any of this to happen. I never wanted to hurt anyone. I only wanted to help Nick and his family and now…

Guilt and tears clog my throat.

I ruined Christmas.

“Joy,” my father coaxes, gently taking me by the upper arms. He rubs them soothingly. “There’s nothing else we can do here.”

But he doesn’t know I love him, too .