Page 42 of Matchmaking Under the Mistletoe

As we get settled into bed, I look over and see the clock sitting on the bedside table. It’s well after midnight, so it’s officially Christmas morning.

“Dang, I bet we’ll miss our visit from Santa this year since we weren’t at home in time,” I tease, and Brian lets out a laugh.

“I hate to break it to you, Mills, but I’m pretty sure after the number of times we’ve fucked the last few days we were on the ‘naughty list’ anyway,” he remarks, and I roll my eyes at his joke.

“Hmm, whatever you say. Anyway, all I was trying to say before I was so rudely interrupted,” I say with a wink at Brian to let him know I’m teasing, “was Merry Christmas. I never thought I’d say this, but I can't imagine anywhere else in the world I’d want to spend it.”

“Merry Christmas, Mills. I’m glad to hear it because like I told you earlier, if you ever decide to leave, I’m not staying here without you," Brian whispers, placing a kiss on my lips and throwing his arm across me to pull me closer to him. “Oh, and in case you forgot, I love you.”

“Goodnight, Brian, and in case you didn’t know, I love you back,” I tell him, curling my body around him. And as I start to drift off to sleep, I can’t help but think that this new life I’ve found over the last month is better than any gift we may find under the tree in the morning.

EPILOGUE

ONE YEAR LATER

MILLIE

“Okay, Mills, you have to keep the blindfold on if you want your surprise,” Brian says as he leads me out of the truck.

“Ugh, fine, but I don’t understand why you can’t just wrap it and put it under a tree like a normal person,” I grumble.

It’s Christmas morning, and usually I would be feeling holly and jolly, but Brian woke me up before six and told me to get ready for wherever he’s taking me. He’s well aware by now that waking me before the sun on a day I don’t have to go to work would make me a little extra grouchy, but here we are. After getting dressed, he told me to get in the car and he blindfolded me while we drove for a few minutes.

“You know, if you’ve been a serial killer this whole time and you’re just deciding to act on it, I’m gonna be really freaking pissed,” I tease as we walk for a few minutes longer.

“Nope, not a serial killer, just a guy trying to surprise his girlfriend for Christmas,” he replies.

“Ugh okay, I’m sure whatever it is, is incredible, but in case you forgot, we didn’t get home until almost one this morning. What do ya know, apparently the gala lasts way longer if you don’t sneak off an hour in to have sex,” I joke, and I hear Brian chuckle.

“Okay, okay, I admit that the few hours of sleep is less than ideal, but I promise, I think this surprise is worth it,” he says, before slowing me to a stop. “All right, we’re here. Are you ready?”

“Yeah, can I take the blindfold off?” I ask, reaching up and touching the silk on my face.

“Almost, give me just one second… Okay, whenever you’re ready,” he says, and I tear the tie off my face, anxious to see what he’s made such a big deal over.

“Oh,” I say, as soon as I open my eyes, and immediately I pause, unable to make any sense of what I’m seeing.

We’re at Coopers’ Tree Farm, but the maze looks completely different than it did last week when we left after the Mistletoe Maze. The lights and trees are the same, but the clearing is covered with fake snow and there’s tons of pink and green ornaments all over the closest trees. Mixed in with the ornaments are pictures of Brian and I over the last year, and the sun is rising just above the tops of the trees, casting everything in a pinkish-orange light. I look over to say something to Brian, and it finally registers that he’s down on one knee.

“Millie Pouncey, it’s been over a year since that freak snowstorm all but dumped you on my doorstep and woke me up to everything I was missing. I was basically sleepwalking through life, but you made me realize that it’s not selfish to want someone who makes me as happy as you make me. And, while we probably won’t have snow like that for another decade or two, I’m hoping this time, instead of bringing us together, this snow will help keep us together. That it’ll make you decide to takemy last name and be mine forever. Because in case you haven’t noticed, I’m madly in love with you, and nothing would make me happier than you agreeing to be my wife.”

I stare at him in shock for a few more seconds before pulling him up and kissing him hard. “Oh my God, are you serious?” I ask between kisses.

“Uhh, yeah,” he says nervously. “I mean, if you need to think about it I totally under—” he starts, and I realize I never actually answered him out loud.

“Oh, God, yes, Brian, absolutely. You really want me to be your wife?” I ask, feeling some of my old insecurities starting to sneak in.

“Uhh, duh,” he says, like that’s the silliest question he’s ever heard.

“You know I’m kinda 0-1 in that area, right?” I tease, trying to disguise how nervous I’m feeling. I haven’t given a single thought to my ex-husband in several months, but Brian’s proposal has a lot of those old feelings floating to the surface.

“Bullshit, Mills. I’m sorry, but you and I both know that isn’t true. I’ve never been as happy as I am with you,” he admits, and I can’t resist the urge to kiss him.

“Me either,” I tell him honestly. It’s true. The last year has been nothing short of incredible. I’ve organized over thirty weddings along with countless birthday parties, office dinners, and other various functions. Brian swears he’s never seen Deer Valley as busy as it has been, and I feel a little swell of pride every time he makes that statement. On top of that, Bridget and I have become great friends, and Brian and I have continued to live together. I offered to get an apartment after I got my settlement from the divorce, but he refused to hear a word of it. Some days he comes to Deer Valley with me, and others he goes to City Hall for the day and meets me back at the inn when he’s finished.But either way, we spend each night at home, cuddling under the covers, kissing, and learning more about each other.

“Oh my God, we’re getting married,” I squeal, as it hits me that he actually wants to spend the rest of his life with me.

“Damn right, we are,” he says before adding, “Good thing I know a pretty incredible wedding planner, huh?”

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