Chapter 18
CHAPTER 18
MILLIE
C hristmas Eve has always been one of my favorite days. The anticipation of what’s coming the next day makes everything feel magical, like even the air knows something special is coming. But I never realized how magnified that feeling could be surrounded by hundreds of other people.
I’ve spent the entire day running around like crazy. Between making sure the band and the photographers have everything that they need, ensuring the wine from the winery is fully stocked, checking in with the kitchen staff on the status of the food, and fielding the questions from all the volunteers, I’m already dreaming about getting in the bed. But instead, I’m in Brian’s office touching up my makeup and throwing on my gown for the night.
When I told Lizzie about the event, she’d insisted on finding the perfect dress for me, and since I didn’t happen to pack any evening gowns when I fled the city, I didn’t see any reason to turn her down. But last night, when I opened the package and saw the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen in my life, I squealed. The emerald-green makes my eyes sparkle, and the way the fabric dips and pulls makes my curves look incredible.
A knock comes from the door, and I call out, “You can come in,” as I put my long silver earrings in and glance at the mirror. I watch Brian enter his office through the reflection, and even if I wasn’t wearing the most perfect dress known to man, the look on his face would have made me feel like the most beautiful girl in the world.
“Wow, Mills, you look…” he says, trailing off as he stares at me. “God, you look perfect.”
I blush at his admission and smooth the fabric down over my legs. “Thank you. You know I had to find something worthy of being on your arm, Mr. Mayor,” I tease, and he lets out a laugh at my dramatics before giving me a serious look.
“Yeah, whatever. I can’t wait to get you home and get you out of that dress,” he murmurs before dropping a kiss on my lips. I lean into him, but before I can deepen the kiss, he brushes his hand through my hair and continues. “We both know that you’re the one this town’s obsessed with. But really, you know you’re more than worthy, right? You’re magnificent, Mills,” he says, and I’m about to argue with him when I recognize the sincerity in his voice.
I smile, and all of a sudden, I’m hit with how quickly Brian’s worked his way into my heart. I may have spent the last ten years married and attending events like this at least once a week, but the last few days have been the first time I’ve truly felt beautiful and valued. Not only that, but Brian treats me like an equal instead of a servant or an inconvenience. It also doesn’t hurt the way he fucks me like I’m a queen.
He holds out his arm for me to take before saying, “All right, enough of that, you’ve worked your tail off for this event, and people will start arriving soon. Let’s go celebrate!”
Wrapping my arm in his, we exit the office where the entire first floor has been completely transformed. Each wall is decorated with gingerbread decor, making the room resemble the inside of a gingerbread house. The wall behind the band will sparkle with hundreds of lights that we spent several hours hanging yesterday, making the room feel like a magical wonderland as soon as we plug them in.
“I’ll be right back,” Brian whispers as we stand admiring the room before us. “I just need to take care of the lights.”
He leaves, and a minute later the curtain of lights starts to shimmer as he lowers the flood lights in the lobby. As I wait for him to make his way back over, Bridget walks through the door and immediately heads in my direction.
“Millie, this is incredible,” she says as she wraps her arm around my shoulder, pulling me into a hug. “After seeing what you did with the maze, I knew this would be good, but it’s better than anything we’ve ever had here in Springside. When I came in this morning, I literally couldn’t believe how much you transformed this place in less than twenty-four hours.”
I smile at her compliment, before responding. “Thanks, Bridget. I couldn’t have done it without Brian though.”
Bridget gives me a skeptical look. “Brian? Like my cousin Brian? He doesn’t have much of an eye for design.”
I let out a laugh at her statement. “No? Well, maybe not, but he really was great.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear it. You’ve been just what we needed around here. Please tell me you’re planning to stay after the holidays,” she insists.
“Oh, uh, well,” I stammer. “I…I don’t know.”
“Well, where else would you go?” she asks. “Or are we too small for ya?”
“No, not at all. I just need to talk to Brian and make sure the offer still stands. He hasn’t mentioned anything about what would happen after tonight,” I admit sheepishly.
“God, for someone so smart, he really is a dumb ass,” she groans, throwing her hands up in frustration. “Millie, that man is obsessed with you. He may not have said it, but there’s no way he doesn’t want you to stay. Just promise me you won’t leave until you talk to him, especially if you really do want to stay.”
“I promise,” I say, blowing out a breath.
“What are you promising?” Brian asks as he rejoins us in the center of the room. Guests are starting to arrive, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little excited to see their reaction to the work we’d done over the last few weeks.
“Oh, I was just making Millie promise to finally go out to karaoke with me now that her asshole boss doesn’t have her working all hours of the day,” Bridget teases, winking in my direction as she delivers the fib.
“Her words, not mine,” I say, not wanting Brian to think I’m complaining about work.
“Well, I’ve just gotta say, I’ve heard both of y’all sing, and I send my condolences to the other patrons of Maracas,” he pokes back, causing Bridget and I both to chuckle. He’s not exactly wrong.
We chat for a few minutes as people continue entering. Eventually, Miss Ethel makes her way over, waving her hand toward the decor.
“Millie, how on earth did you pull all of this off?” she asks, gesturing to the lights where the band is starting to play.
“Oh, I just had lots of fabulous help,” I respond, smiling at the group of ladies that seems to accumulate whenever Miss Ethel starts asking questions.
Miss Agnes steps up before asking, “Dear, please tell me we get to look forward to lots of these in the future.”
I smile at her compliment before shrugging. “I definitely have enjoyed planning these.” I’m deflecting but until I have time to talk to Brian, I’m not exactly sure how to respond.
“Well, I think if our mayor here isn’t smart enough to figure out how to keep you in town, he isn’t as cut out for this job as we like to think he is,” Miss Ethel says.
“I agree,” Miss Agnes says, just as Miss Sally makes her way over to us.
“Hmm, well I think y’all are all a bunch of idiots,” she calls out, hitting me with her signature look of disdain. “We’ll be getting those real estate offers on our land any day now right, huh, Millie?”
I roll my eyes at her usual comment and open my mouth to respond before Miss Ethel steps in. “Oh, you old hag, would you give it up already? This town is lucky to have Millie, and if you could step out of your Hallmark fantasy world you would see that she’s not here to take our land. Now, I swear to God, if you run this sweet girl off, I’ll make sure you’re never invited to the monthly bridge luncheons ever again.”
Brian and I make eye contact, and I have to look away to keep from bursting into laughter. Miss Sally makes a face at Ethel before rolling her eyes. “Sure, y’all just don’t come crying to me when it turns out I was right.” With that, she turns and makes her way toward the door.
“Miss Ethel, I don’t think I’ve ever been more in the Christmas spirit after that,” Brian says, causing all of us to chuckle.
“Oh dear, she’s not usually that bad, but you know how she gets about newcomers. Don’t worry, hun, she’ll get over it. But until then, if you need anyone to give her a good talkin’ to, you just let me know.”
I smile, touched by her show of support for me. I lean over and wrap my arm around the older woman. “Thank you, Miss Ethel. I’ll keep you updated.”
“You do that. Well, we’re gonna go grab some drinks, but next time you’re on your run, just stop by. I’m always up, and I would love to chat with you over some muffins,” she says, before moving further into the room.
I’m still not convinced she’s not working for a secret government agency, but I have to admit the older woman has grown on me over the last few weeks.
Brian and I continue mingling with the guests as they make their way inside, until everyone’s arrived. We take a moment, watching everyone dancing, enjoying the hors d'oeuvres and the wine, and chatting. I feel a swell of pride in my chest because I did this. After taking in the room, he turns to and says, “God, I love this town. And thank you for making this a reality.”
“Of course,” I say with a smile. “And I have to agree with you. This town is pretty special.”
“Yeah?” he asks, as he waits for me to continue.
“Yeah. You and I both know that I wasn’t really sure what I was looking for when I got stranded here, but I have to admit that I think this town has been exactly what I needed.”
He smiles, just as the band begins to play a rendition of “Winter Wonderland” and Brian holds out his hand to me. “Feel like dancing?” he asks.
“Sure,” I say with a smile, rising from my seat and taking his hand. He pulls me close, and we begin swaying to the music.
“Well, Millie, I have to admit, I agree with you. I think Springside looks good on you,” he teases, and I smile. But at the same time, his words remind me that technically after tonight, I’m not quite sure where we stand. I go back and forth, wanting to enjoy the moment but suddenly feeling like I won’t be able to relax until I know exactly what he’s thinking.
“Uhh, Brian,” I say quietly as we sway to the music. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure, Mills. You already know you can,” he replies, and I don’t miss the concern in his voice at my tone.
“Do you want me to stay?” I ask, feeling my heart start to race in my chest as I wait for his response.
He looks at me dumbfounded and I have to fight the urge to lean in and kiss the crinkle on his brow. “What?” he asks.
“After tonight, the Christmas events are done,” I say, my stomach churning in knots about how he might respond. “So, do you want me to stay?
“What?” Brian says again, not moving and looking at me in confusion.
“I mean…do you want me to stay in Springside?” I blurt, unable to hold it in any longer.
Well, shit, I guess either way, I’m about to get my answer.