Page 141 of A Very Merry Mistake

I shake my head. “Snow globes.”

CHAPTER 40

JAKE

When Claire returns, she’s elated. She’s talking so fast I can barely understand the words coming out of her mouth as she shakes the packet of papers she’s carrying.

I grab her cheeks and laugh. “Slow down, darlin’. I don’t know what you’re sayin’.”

“My dad released the rest of my inheritance.”

I make a face. “What? I don’t—”

“My father released the last half of my inheritance early. I wasn’t supposed to receive it until I was married, but I had no idea this existed.”

“Why would he do that?” I ask, still not fully understanding.

“I think he knows,” she whispers.

“Knows what?”

“That I’ve found the one.”

I slide my fingers through her hair and crash my lips to hers. “God, I’ve missed you.”

“I was gone for an hour.”

“An hour too long,” I tell her.

“Jake, I was given billions.”

My mouth falls open. “B-b-b—”

“Billions, with an S,” she confirms, then bursts out laughing. “I told my lawyer I was opening a snow globe store.” She’s giddy with excitement.

“You should. You could even design your own,” I suggest.

She gasps. “Yes. Would you help me?”

“I’ll help and support you with whatever you need.”

* * *

Claire and I dress up in black tie outfits and eat dinner by candlelight at a beautiful Italian restaurant. It’s nothing fancy, and the place only accepts cash, but it’s perfect for us, intimate and quiet. We walk back to her penthouse, hand in hand, then turn on the TV to watch the events in Time Square. We have a perfect view of the ball, but we want tonight to be about us, about ringing in the new year together.

After the sun sets, there’s a knock on the door. Claire gets up to answer it and squeals.

“Jake,” she says, pushing the door shut, and I look over my shoulder at her sister. I stand to meet her officially. “This is Emma.”

When I move closer, Emma looks me up and down with her mouth wide open. “You’re taller than I thought.” She squeezes my biceps. “And strong.”

I laugh, holding out my hand, and she looks at it.

“You do have very large hands,” she says, looking back at Claire, who’s blushing. “Okay, so which of your brothers should I date?” Emma spins around. Her hair is in curls, and she’s wearing a black, long-sleeve dress.

“Hmm,” I say. “Do you like kids?”

“Love them,” she gushes.

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