Gift for the Boss (Managing the Bosses 3.50)

Everyone threw in their agreement as the glasses clinked against one another in perfect harmony.

***

Jamie motioned for Alex to stop the Lexus near an old ice rink, that used to be a mainstay at the edge of a little country town they were traveling through. It was rarely used anymore, but the memories of her dad taking her there flooded her.

Mark had decided to spend the afternoon watching football with Jamie's dad and sister, which was awkward, and yet not. Mark never met a stranger, and Jamie had no doubt that he would be a quick fixture over at her parents’ house now that he was moving in with her and Alex.

"What is it?" Alex reached over and took her hand.

"Just a memory. Can we get out for a minute? I just want to see if the old pond my dad taught me to ice skate on is still here." She gave him a hopeful look.

"Of course. You can have anything you want. You know that."

"Anything?" She smiled nefariously.

"On second thoughts, it's too cold out there. Let's get you home and let me warm you up by the fire." He wagged his eyebrows at her.

"Yeah, that does sound better." She glanced out at the frosty setting before her. "Besides... it's best to leave the past in the past."

"When you have such a bright future ahead? I couldn't agree more." He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her fingers softly. "Thank you for my gift this morning. It's the best one I've ever gotten."

"What? It wasn't much, really."

"Sure it was. It was your heart. That's all I've wanted since meeting you."

She took a shaky breath and nodded. "It's all yours for sure."

"And mine is yours.”

His lips brushed softly against hers and she imagined their two heads pressed close together to form a heart. She loved him, and had a hard time remembering what her life had been like before she met him.

“Merry Christmas, Ms. Connors."

"Merry Christmas, Mr. Reid." She smiled against his mouth, sure she had never been happier than in this moment.

THE END