“Sure, she would leave right when I’m about to get fired.”
Nina’s peers over my shoulder before backing away to her desk, holding her hands up, fingers crossed. “Good luck.”
I’m still smiling as I turn back to see Spencer replace his phone on the base.
He stands and gestures for me to enter.
Pushing the glass door, I duck inside, flashing him a shaky smile. “Good morning.”
An empty feeling settles in the pit of my stomach. My mouth is dry, I swear I’m having heart palpitations, and for some reason, my senses are overloaded. All at once, I’m zeroed in on every tick of his small desk clock. His usually subtle musk cologne hits me like a smack to the face. Worst of all, the neon yellow folder on his desk is a blinding beacon, hypnotizing me.
“Riley?”
Spencer’s voice snatches me out of my spiral. “Huh? What?”
“I asked if you’d like to have a seat?” He smiles that regal full smile and I settle into one of the sleek metal armchairs across from him. He sits, clasping his hands on the desk as he surveys me. “Riley, I’m still just another co-worker. No need to be nervous around me,” he says, and it’s like déjà vu—me in his office on the verge of doing something stupid, I’ll later regret.
Then I breathe and flash him a small smile like I did that day. I remember Chase walking by, smiling sweetly and taking careful steps trying not to spill the two coffees in his hands. I’d been so jealous when I’d spotted one of them on Evelyn’s desk…
“I’m glad you came this morning.” Spencer flips open the folder and even from upside down I can read the word “offer” in bold at the top of the page. “Despite the events of Saturday night at the holiday party, I still feel you’re the strongest candidate and the best choice for the senior marketing manager position.”
“You do?” I feel my eyes widen. I have to hook my ankles around the chair legs to keep from floating away. “But you heard everything Jessica said. Chase and I were never together.”
He leans back in his chair and again he searches my face. For what, I couldn’t say, but there’s a crease between his eyebrows and amusement sparkling in his eyes. And a… Is he smiling?
Spencer straightens and looks at me square in the eye. “Have I hired people in the past who’ve been in serious relationships with kids or dogs or mortgages? Yes. Did those people also have the best skills for the job? Also, yes. I’m not hiring you because you claimed to be in a relationship with Chase, Riley. You’re the best person for the job.”
It takes a full minute for me to let his words sink in. “So, you’re not firing me?”
Spencer erupts into a deep base-filled laugh, shaking his head. “Is it always going to be this hard to convince you of what I’m saying? No, I was trying to promote you, but now I’m thinking maybe I should reconsider…” He laughs again.
“No. I’m sorry. I want the job.”
I drop my head in my hands as it occurs to me, I’m getting everything I wanted. Almost everything.
“For the record, I’ve been in this industry a long time. It sorta goes with the territory to know the real thing when I see it. You and Chase may not have been together four years, but there was nothing fake about what I saw between you. There’s no set timetable for love.”
In the same way one person can say the same thing a hundred times without it resonating and another person says it once and makes all the sense in the world, something just clicks. What Chase and I had was never fake. Before the speed dates, I’d noticed him with the marketing girls and tried to ignore him. He even brought it up on our date. I’d never hated him…I just didn’t want to be another member of his fan club. I wanted more than superficial conversation to appreciate him for his looks. I wanted a personal connection with Chase.
I run my fingers through my locs. I have this optimistic and foolish idea that all we need is one solution. Just one, and Chase and I can somehow spin reality.
“Uh, I know you just offered me the job, and I accept, but...” My heart is racing a million miles a minute. My chest tightens and I’ve got this desperate, manic energy, like I have to go to Chase now. I’m wringing my hands as I stand and edge my body to the door. “I have to—”
“Go. Tell him,” Spencer says, but when I turn around, I realize I won’t have to go far.
Chase Campbell is dressed head to toe in red trimmed with white fur and a matching curly gray wig and beard set. My mouth falls open as every person in the office forms a half-circle around a single table with two chairs and Chase at the center.
Slowly, I open the door of Spencer’s office, flashing him a quick smile because he must’ve seen all this happening behind me while I was crumpled in a hot, desperate mess. I’m still not sure what the table and chairs are about, but I inch toward Chase anyway.
“Ho! Ho! Ho!” Chase announces.
A collective laugh rumbles over the crowd, and I shake my head. “What is all of this, Santa?”
“Please be seated.” He digs in his pocket, coming up with a stopwatch as Nina weaves to the front of the group beaming. As I sit, I know without a doubt she and Keira have something to do with this.
Nina winks at me, confirming my suspicion.
“Eight minutes on the clock please, my little helper,” Santa says to Nina as he takes a seat across from me and starts shooting rapid-fire questions. “What’s the only Christmas cookie that matters?”
“Red and green M&M,” I blurt out, laughing because this feels more like a quiz I’m being graded on than a weird speed date with a suspiciously sexy Santa Claus.
From a green velvet sack, he whips out a batch and slides it onto the table. “Name the best American comedy horror Christmas movie ever.”
I scrub my hands over my face knowing the reaction I’m going to get from the crowd. “Gremlins.”
“Seriously?” I hear someone groan followed by another person whose voice has an uncanny resemblance to douchey Craig say, “I told you she was weird.”
The man clearly knows nothing of the merits of watching Gizmo take down Stripe and the evil Mogwai.
Santa fishes the movie from his sack and slides it over, too. Four minutes and eight more kookie holiday trivia questions later, ten of my favorite Christmas things are stacked in front of me on the table. I feel like I’m on Oprah, except no one else gets anything.
“Two minutes, big guy,” Nina announces.
He gives her a mock salute then pins me with his stare. “I have one request and one more question. You choose.”
I nip at the tip of my finger, looking to the crowd for direction, to which half of them shout for the question and the other half for the request. I’m back at square one, so I take a deep breath, squinting my eyes. “The request.”
Surprisingly, not from his magic sack this time, but from his inside suit pocket, he pulls out a pale blue envelope with the same bold red and white script I’ve seen flashing across the television. An ear-piercing shriek seeps out of me.
“Oh my gosh, Chase.” I squeeze my eyes closed because if they’re not tickets to the Snowball Jam, I’m going to be so let down. And if they are…
“Will you be my date to the Snowball Jam?” Santa Chase asks, and I’m so over this speed date and the dramatics.
I’m up off my chair, rounding the table to sit in Santa’s lap. Before he can say a word, I yank down his curly white beard, letting my lips crash down on his to the tune of hoots and hollers.
“Didn’t even take the full eight minutes,” someone says.
“What is a Snow Jam?” another person asks.
But I’m so lost in the warm, welcome home of Chase’s arms banded around me, I don’t want to think about anything or anyone else.
“Don’t you know, when the clock is ticking, you can’t get to know a person by asking their favorite Christmas cookies and what movies get them in the spirit?” I ask.
He laughs a warm, throaty laugh that goes through me and pulls my insides taut. A ripple of ple
asure sears through me.
We’re staring at each other longingly because it’d be really weird and kind of awkward to go at it the way we want to in front of everyone. My heart gives a small lurch.
Nina clears her throat loudly. “There is one more important question,” she says, widening her eyes at Chase.
“Right. Okay.” He breaks our trance, but we don’t move. A whisper of longing sweeps between us. “But first, to clarify, does this mean you’ll be my date to the Snowball Jam?” He asks, running the pad of his thumb over my lip.
“Yes.”
Chase takes a deep breath, swallowing then dips his forehead to mine and whispers, “Riley Mills, I love you with every fiber of my being. I would do anything for you to make you happy.” His gaze falls to our fingers twined together. “You don’t have to say it now, but do you love me, or think maybe you could grow to love me, too?”
He’s so adorable with his big, stormy blue eyes as he waits for me to validate his feelings. There isn’t a doubt in my mind how I feel about Chase Campbell. How could I not love him? How could I have thought I’d ever be whole without experiencing this all-consuming love? I fell for him the first four minutes we spent alone at the Mix’n’Mingle, and I’ve been falling ever since.
“Chase Campbell, you don’t have to convince me. We may have started out in a fake relationship, but nothing has ever felt more real. I’m so in love with you.”
I guess I’m officially the president of the Chase Campbell Fan Club.
Epilogue
The jumbotron illuminates as Bianca hits the beginning notes of her Christmas anthem, “Mistletoe Memories.” The arena goes wild. It’s loud and raucous as they sing the anthem. Of the thousands of people cheering and whistling, I’ve only got eyes for one.
“Mistletoe memories of just us two.” Riley throws her head back to belt out the last word before turning to serenade me. “Baby, no matter the season, I love you.”
She shuffles toward me with her arms outstretched. As I pull her flush against my chest, we rock back and forth to the beat. Riley peppers soft kisses on my lips, working her way behind my ear and down to my throat and I groan, closing my eyes.
“Hey. Be good,” I say.
She pouts. “You’re no fun, Santa.”
I twist her around in my arms so her back rests against my chest. I tighten my grip and nuzzle the delicate curve of her neck. “We’ll see about that tonight. I’m putting you on the naughty list.”
Riley giggles, squirming against me, but I feel the slight shift of her body. Her shoulders tense. She’s been keeping a watchful eye on Keira all evening. We first met Keira’s date, Thomas, at the restaurant before the ball. He’s average height and stocky with close-shaven hair…decent looking. There’s really nothing threatening about him so far, but Riley had her guard up. Out of respect for her sister, though, she remained tight-lipped, keeping her judgments to herself—well, between us.
“Are you doing okay?” I ask.
Her response comes in the form of a squeeze to my forearm.
“I’m really proud of you, babe. I know how much your sister means to you.” I kiss her hair. “You’re doing the right thing letting her make her own decisions.”
“Is it just me, or does their chemistry…does it feel off to you?” She blows out a sigh, and I know it’s killing her not to be able to give Keira advice. “I hate it, but I know she’s got to learn to trust her own instincts.”
Bianca kicks it up a notch, bouncing across the stage.
Riley and Keira both break out into screams, jumping up and down as they sing along word for word. Both of their hands are in the air, swaying side to side, and my girlfriend is absolutely radiant. Her locs are twisted up in a ponytail and she’s wearing her trademark red dress and matching lipstick.
Thomas shoots me an amused look like he’s wondering how he managed to get talked into this. I won’t tell him I volunteered, or that many Christmas-crazed people are jealous of us since it sold out—including a very pregnant Kim.
A laugh bubbles up inside me. It’s a mix of nostalgia for the past and for the future. I miss my mom, but I love what Riley and I are building. Christmas Eve, Riley visited her parents and sister, and I spent the day with Dad, Todd, and Kim talking about the baby and starting new holiday traditions. That sort of cemented it for me. I want real love where you sit around with your other half planning a future full of holidays and vacations. I want to make real, lasting memories with Riley.
When Riley and Keira wind down, Riley finds her way back into my arms.
The mic crackles to life, and then Bianca, who’d twirled off stage, reappears in a glittering red gown. She tucks a long curl behind her ear and blows the audience a kiss. “Merry Christmas, Las Vegas. I just want to take a few minutes to thank you for spending your holiday with me. I want to dedicate this next song to all the lovers out there.”
She takes her time singing the silky harmony of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”
Riley clasps her hands behind my neck and softly brushes her lips over mine. “I got you something,” she says between kisses.
“Hmm?”
“Well, two things.” She pulls her lower lip between her teeth and pins me with her stare. “I’ll let you choose. Have you been naughty or nice, Mr. Campbell?”
I flit a glance over at Keira and Thomas, who are singing along.
“That depends.” I seek and find her lips, devouring her mouth with sweeping strokes of my tongue. “How much longer is this Snowball Jam?”
Riley kisses me back, but she’s smiling as her mouth moves against mine. When I pull back, her eyes are hooded with heat pooling in them. “It’s Christmas, and I may or may not have gotten one of those naughty Mrs. Claus outfits you mentioned.” Her lashes flutter up at me, sending my pulse into overdrive. My cock twitches. “It has bows and comes with a reindeer whip.”
Defenseless against her tactics, I take a deep breath and step back, needing the distance between us to think clearly.
She laughs a warm, musical giggle as her eyes dart to the growing hard-on tenting my jeans.
“You know you’re wrong,” I say with a breathless chuckle. “That’s just dirty when you know I can’t do anything about it here.” I crack my neck and bob my head. “Okay, let’s go with nice. Door number two has got to be better.”
All the light-hearted humor drains from Riley’s expression as she erases the space between us. “Well, I’ve been thinking about us. Actually, a lot about us.” A smile quirks at her lips.
I gently rub her back, urging her to continue, but also still nervous about getting too close, lest we have an inappropriate situation at a family concert.
“Chase, I know it’s kind of soon, but…” She fishes her hand into the small clutch clasped to her wrist and pulls out something silver. “I was hoping you might want to make our own holiday tradition. It’s an ornament. I thought maybe it could be the first in our collection together. Every year, we’ll get a new one to add to our tree.”
Our.
Every time she says that word, I feel my hopes rising and my spirits soaring.
With my free hand, I tenderly pluck it out of her palm. My insides flood with warmth as I examine its inscription.
The Two of Us.
“You never know what we’ll be celebrating next year,” she adds, a soft smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
My heart gives a small lurch as I bite down on my bottom lip. “I love it, Riley, and I love you.” Emotion clogs in my throat. “So much, it scares me.”
She stands on her toes, kissing away a tear that’s slipped free. “I’m scared, too, but in the best way possible. I know without a doubt I want a future with you, Chase Campbell.”
As we hold each other, swaying to the music, joy wells up in my heart at the future she’s painting for us. I want it all—the bright, vibrant colors of every season, the laughs and pranks. Every moment.
As long as it’s the two of us.
; Thank you for spending your time with Riley and Chase. If you enjoyed Mingle All the Way, please consider leaving a review on Goodreads or your favorite online retailer.
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Keep reading for an excerpt from Married & Bright.
See what happens in Vegas when a pop star wakes up married to her Rideo driver…
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An excerpt from the NEW - Married & Bright
Chapter 1
Airports are so weird. Especially, during the holidays. You start out in the terminal hefting around too many bags to fit the length of your trip. You’re tired and anxious to get into a car and then on the road. As you make your way to passenger pickup, some rendition of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” is playing overhead. Instantly, you’re nostalgic as your path is littered with Christmas trees and gigantic wreaths shoved between slot machines. Then, you step out to into the parking structure and it’s The Shining.
Breathe, Bianca.
The sun is already low in the sky, making it feel darker and colder. My ears tune in to every voice and tire screech on the upper levels.
The automatic doors behind me swish open with a whoosh of cool air, giving me a start. When a pilot dragging his suitcase walks out, I try to settle my nerves, but my pulse is thumping. He dips his head in a small nod as he crosses the economy bus pickup on his way to employee parking.
And I’m alone down here again.
My heart is beating a mile a minute, but I guess this is what I get for letting my manager, Damien, plan “inconspicuous” transportation. This is definitely low-key, Dame...and creepy. I’m standing curbside on the dark commercial level at arrivals waiting for lord knows who, when a candy-apple-red sedan pulls up in front of me. I tighten my grip on the key wedged between my ring and middle fingers.
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