Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
“You said the content I created was manufactured moments. And you were right,” I admitted. “About some of it, anyway.”
“But not all. You do a lot of good, too, baby. You make people feel seen and understood. You bring light and joy to their lives. You sure as fuck did for me.” His eyes glowed with love and adoration. “I don’t want you to feel like you have to choose between me and your work. I care about your career, too. We can build something together that works for both of us.”
I grabbed him by the lapels and kissed him again because I couldn’t help it. I was pretty sure the crowd erupted in cheers and applause, but I was too giddy and lost in the moment to care one way or another.
When we finally reached the bottom of the slope, Maya launched herself at both of us, nearly knocking us over again.
“I can’t believe we pulled this off!” she cried, bouncing between us. “Your plan rocked, Maddie. Mrs. Hoffman organized the ways to keep Adrian distracted—which was easy, since we already had a group text going from when we canceled all your dates. Foster helped with the lighting crew. Alex handled logistics. Tommy managed transportation—”
“Maya,” Maddox interrupted with a laugh. “Breathe.”
“And Chief Kincaid!” she continued, ignoring him completely. “He actually volunteered to help with the electrical setup. Said something about making sure nobody burned down the mountain with all those lights.”
I glanced around, finally understanding the scope of what had happened. “You planned all this?” I demanded. “You, the man who was determined not to let Legacy matchmake for him, got the entire town involved?”
“Not the entire town,” Maddox said modestly. “Just… most of it.”
Mrs. Hoffman appeared beside us, eyes bright with tears. “Oh, this is better than any Christmas movie I’ve ever seen!” She pulled out her phone. “I got the whole thing on video. Wait ’til I show the girls at book club!”
Before I could process what was happening, we were surrounded by well-wishers and congratulations. Sadie pressed thermoses of spiked hot chocolate into our hands. Nate slapped Maddox on the back and teased him about “finally growing a pair.” Even Chief Kincaid nodded approvingly from across the group, though I noticed he was standing suspiciously close to where Alex, who must’ve left Timber right after me, was distributing hot drinks.
“How did you come up with this?” I asked as the crowd gradually dispersed to watch the actual Starlight Spectacular begin.
“When I saw those texts this morning, I was angry,” Maddox admitted. “Hurt, too. I really wish you’d told me about the job offer.”
“I should have. I would have. But I was scared if I said anything, I’d pop this happy bubble we’ve been in,” I confessed. “It’s been a long time since I let myself want something this much.”
“Same,” Maddox whispered.
“But I need you to know I never would have taken that job without talking to you. You do know that, right?” My gaze searched his.
Maddox frowned. “Of course. Adrian, your manager was giving you shit about not taking the job offer. And I know you’re half in love with Legacy. You shine here. More than that, I know you. I know that’s not the kind of man you are.” He caught my jaw in one gloved palm. “I just figured if Vic was reminding you of all the reasons you should leave, the least I could do was remind you of the reasons you should stay.”
I looked around at the sight—the lights on the slopes set off by snowy trees along the edges, smiling faces and cloudy breaths from nearby laughter, the colorful mix of hats and parkas—before meeting Maddox’s eyes. “There are a lot of things worth staying in Legacy for. But the most important one is you.” I took a deep breath and repeated the words Alex had given me earlier, words I’d felt in my heart for a week but hadn’t been brave enough to speak aloud. “I love you. I want to stay here. I choose you over everything else.”
“Fuck, Adrian,” Maddox growled.
“Thank you for doing all this,” I said, my eyes burning a little. “I’ve never… I’ve never had anyone go to so much effort for me. I’ve never been picked like this before. It…” My throat was too full to continue, so Maddox pulled me in close and tucked my face into his soft scarf.
“You deserve to be picked, Adrian Hayes,” he murmured against my ear. “You deserve someone who’ll fight for you instead of running away and putting up walls to protect himself. Someone who’ll choose you publicly, loudly, without hesitation. And I will pick you every damn time. I promise you.”
I kissed him fiercely, sealing our connection, and let myself relax into his embrace as the lights across the mountain began their traditional twinkling pattern, thousands of tiny stars dancing across the slope in synchronized waves.