Page 99 of The Holidays with Mr. Mitchell
Their laughter rolled over the music again, and despite the sarcasm, I felt what I’d hoped to feel tonight…contentment. For once, everything was good. No emergencies, no work calls, no PR disasters. Just my family, my friends, and a ridiculous party that somehow managed to pull every version of my life into one room.
Spencer tilted his drink toward the entrance where a photographer had stopped Avery for a quick shot. “You realize this entire setup seriously is going to be viral by morning, right?”
“Let it,” I said, watching as Avery laughed at something one of her friends said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “If the world wants to see what perfect looks like, take pictures of my wife to give them a good view.”
“Good view?” Jake laughed. “You turned a mountain into a Hallmark movie.”
“Correction,” I said. “I turned it intoherHallmark movie.”
That got them quiet for half a heartbeat.
Collin grinned. “You’ve officially gone soft, Jimmy.”
“Soft?” I arched a brow. “My house still runs on spreadsheets and caffeine. Don’t mistake execution for sentiment.”
Alex smirked, rejoining us at the bar after being pulled away by some of the architects who worked for his and Bree’s firm. “Sure, buddy. Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
A burst of laughter erupted from the far side of the room as Avery and the girls reached the bottom of the stairs, guests parting around them like a royal procession. Music swelled, camera flashes sparkled, and I swear the temperature in the room rose ten degrees just watching them.
Jake nudged my arm. “You gonna stand here or force us to watch you drool over your wife?”
“Patience,” I said, straightening my cufflinks. “Timing is everything.”
“God,” Spencer said. “I’m going to need another drink.”
I smiled faintly, ignoring their laughter as I stepped away from the bar and crossed the room. The crowd shifted, and Avery’s eyes found mine across the floor. For one suspended moment, the music, the noise, the flash of cameras—all of it blurred into static.
Her lips curved into a soft and certain smile. The kind of grin that told me she knewexactlywhat this night meant.
It was that easy, confident curve of her lips that always reminded me she was both the calm and the chaos in my life.
I slipped an arm around Avery’s waist and leaned in to kiss her temple, “Enjoying the festivities?” I questioned, heart full just by the sight of her sparkling eyes.
“Of course,” Avery leaned into me. “And now, I’m here as advised by Karen for you to start the festivities with a dance?”
“Indeed,” I said. I took her hand in mine, gently rested my other hand on her waist, and began to lead her. “I thought I’d offer the bonuses at your event tomorrow.”
“That wouldn’t be because you can’t drag everyone out of the North Pole cottages, would it?” she chuckled.
“That’s the exact reason,” I chuckled as we whirled around the ballroom floor. “I had no idea I’d turn all of my company execs into children at Christmas again.”
Avery laughed, and I stared in awe at my beautiful wife. “Wasn’t that the point, Mr. Mitchell?”
“It was,” I answered. “Will it interfere with your plans? I know I insisted the bonuses be at my event last week.”
“It will be the thing that pulls my event together flawlessly,” she said with a wry smile.
“Should I be concerned about tomorrow’s event?” I questioned.
“No,” she said. “You should beexcited!”
I had no idea what to expect, but whenever Avery’s party came up, everyone had a look in their eyes as if they were imagining some particular scenario playing out, and I could only imagine thatthingwould end up making me the laughing stock of social media again.
Oh well. How could anyone laugh at me after I pulled off a show like this for all my employees? They couldn’t. The nightwas perfect. Everything was perfect. Nothing could happen tomorrow that would take away from what my girls and I dreamed up and brought to life for everyone’s holiday cheer.
THIRTY-SEVEN
Avery
