LOGINShare
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Last Updated:
2022-05-27 06:52:03Related chapters
Christmas Wishes (A Holiday Billionaire Love Story) Chapter Twenty-Nine
Molly“YOU KISSED NICHOLAS KERSTMAN?” Hannah was screaming on the other end of the phone. “Holy cow! Molly! HOLY COW!”“Hannah, shhh! The whole point of me hiding out in the bathroom was so no one could hear you,” Molly hissed into the phone as she leaned against the bathroom sink of the Kerstmans’ home. “But yeah. He kissed me. Well. I kissed him? Whatever, we both kissed each other.”“Where were you when it happened?” Hannah asked.“I took him out to Johnston's field,” Molly said with a grin. “There's a meteor shower tonight and there's no light out there.”“THAT IS SO SUPER ROMANTIC!” Hannah continued to squeal into the phone. “Oh my gosh! That’s way too perfect! Wait, the bathroom? Molly, why are you calling me from a bathroom?”“Because we’re at his parents’ house for Christmas-Eve-Eve dinner,” Molly reminded her friend. “And I had to fix my hair. It got a little messed up.”Molly grinned at the mirror and smoothed down her hair. That ten minutes in the car had been hard to stop.
Last Updated : 2022-05-27Christmas Wishes (A Holiday Billionaire Love Story) Chapter Thirty
Molly“Molly! Molly! Wait!” Nicholas called out, running out the door behind Molly to try and catch with her. “Wait!”Molly turned towards Nicholas on the sidewalk, the takeaway plate held in her hands. “Yeah, Nicholas? Is something wrong?”“Don’t be mad at me,” he whispered. He breathed hard in the cold night air, creating tiny clouds with every breath. He didn't have a jacket on despite it being freezing out. “I’m sorry. I should’ve told you about the investors. Please, come back inside and—”“Nicholas, I didn’t leave because I was upset with you.” Molly smiled gently. She reached her free hand out to touch his shoulder. “I left because I need to work on my case for you not selling the rights to the store.”“Work on your case?” Nicholas repeated, confused.“Yeah, you told me that you would give me the same chance that you gave the investors,” she reminded him “They’d get a chance to try to convince you to sell the store. I’d get a chance to show you all the reasons you shouldn’t.”“
Last Updated : 2022-05-27Christmas Wishes (A Holiday Billionaire Love Story) Chapter Thirty-One
NicholasNicholas stepped into Sweetness & Light the next morning with Luke following close behind him. They were both dressed in their best suits with pricey wristwatches and leather briefcases emphasizing their professional businessmen look. Today was a day to impress.“I’ve never been somewhere without a Starbucks...” Luke remarked as he reached the front counter. “Is the coffee here any good, sir?”“Oh, trust me, it’s good,” Nicholas replied. “Just be sure to tell Hannah that you want the real stuff, not the junk that’s going to rot your teeth.”“Who’s Hannah—” Luke’s question was interrupted by Hannah stepping out of the kitchen.And Nicholas would swear that he saw Luke’s eyes nearly fall out of his head as soon as he laid them on Hannah Johnson.“Hey, Nicholas,” Hannah greeted him. She smiled over at Nicholas before she turned her attention towards Luke. “Hey, Nicholas’ friend! You’re new. What’s your name?”“L-Luke...” Luke stuttered and stammered over his own name. “Sorry. I’
Last Updated : 2022-05-27Christmas Wishes (A Holiday Billionaire Love Story) Chapter Thirty-Two
NicholasMolly’s apartment looked just like Molly.Nicholas noted the bright colors on the walls, the shades of lilac complementing the light pink in her windowsills, making the standard white of the windows stand out as something spectacular in its simpleness. Sunshine filtered in everywhere, lighting various plants in mismatched pots.In addition to the brightly colored walls, Molly had Christmas lights hanging from every corner of her apartment, and although they seemed to be turned off in the daytime, it didn’t take much for Nicholas to imagine their brilliance as they shone on in the night.He also caught the array of framed photos all lined up on a wide stand in her living room. There were pictures of her growing up, sitting on the porch of what Nicholas assumed was the Carmichaels’ New York home, and pictures of Molly and Hannah as teenagers, hanging out in various parts of town, their mouths filled with braces and their hands formed into candid peace signs.There was also a wh
Last Updated : 2022-05-27Christmas Wishes (A Holiday Billionaire Love Story) Chapter Thirty-Three
MollyMolly woke up in the afternoon, confused about how she’d gotten into her bed.She grew even more confused when she realized that she wasn’t in her bed at all, but instead on her couch. In fact, she’d been tucked into her couch cushions.Oh.Right.She shook the sleep off like a blanket as she stood away from the couch.The memories came flooding back to her as she walked into her apartment’s kitchen.Memories of Nicholas Kerstman offering to carry her through the streets, as if he were a superhero ripped straight from the comic-books.She smiled at the thought of Nicholas with an over-sized letter “N” written across the chest of some hokey costume while she began to pour herself a glass of water from her fridge.Her eyes then went towards the clock in her kitchen, watching the green numbers change: 12:35 to 12:36 PMPanic flickered through her until she remembered she still had time. She hadn't slept through everything.She still had time before she was supposed to meet Liam for
Last Updated : 2022-05-27Christmas Wishes (A Holiday Billionaire Love Story) Chapter Thirty-Four
Molly“Liam! My favorite seven year old in the world,” Mr. Carmichael exclaimed, embracing Liam as soon as he stepped through the front door of the Carmichael home.“What about me?” Molly asked, feigning hurt.“And Molly! My favorite twenty-five year old in the world,” Molly’s dad exclaimed, using the same intonation. He pulled her into the shared hug with Liam.“You don’t always have to announce our ages, Dad,” Molly said with a laugh as she shimmed her way out of her father’s bear hug.“Yes, I do. It’s how I keep track of my favorite people. What? You think you’re the only Molly I know? I know thousands.”She rolled her eyes at her father, but secretly enjoyed it just the same.“So, no work today?” Mr. Carmichael asked.“Christmas Wishes is closed for the day,” Molly replied. “As per tradition.”“You do like your traditions,” her father agreed. “How was your new tradition of managing the store without the bosses around? Did you like being by yourself?”“She wasn’t by herself! She ha
Last Updated : 2022-05-27Christmas Wishes (A Holiday Billionaire Love Story) Chapter Thirty-Five
NicholasNicholas and Luke stood side by side as the group of investors made their way around the shop. One of them seemed particularly interested in the Christmas tree displays and even brought out a magnifying glass to get a closer look at the various ornaments and branches.Another investor stared down at the register, tapping on its sides. “Would you happen to know how old this machine is?”“Records indicated that it was bought three years ago, sir.” Luke answered the investor with a nod.The investor frowned. “Three years ago? No wonder this thing looks so ancient. It won’t be a problem, though. We always upgrade our systems when we take on a new company.”A female investor then tapped Nicholas on the shoulder and she greeted him with a smile. “Mr. Kerstman, I had a question for you?”“Go ahead,” Nicholas replied, turning back towards her and giving her his full attention. “Anything you’d like to know, feel free to ask either one of us.”“Do the employees here wear nametags?” the
Last Updated : 2022-05-27Christmas Wishes (A Holiday Billionaire Love Story) Chapter Thirty-Six
Nicholas“Okay, wait, but keep your hands over your eyes,” Molly said, making Nicholas hold a hand over his eyes as she led him down the street by his hand. “We’re almost there.”“Do I really need to keep my eyes closed for this?” he asked. “What part of this town haven’t I seen by now?”But Nicholas kept his eyes covered, even as he squeezed Molly’s hand.“Just keep walking,” she told him. “Watch out for that ice patch, there.”A horrible thought filled him as he heard the chime of Hannah's door. “Please don’t tell me you’re throwing me a going away party. If that’s what this is, then letting me turn around right now would be the best Christmas gift that you could possibly give me—”Nicholas stopped his own attempts at guessing Molly’s surprise once a familiar scent filled his nostrils. It was something he hadn't smelled in years.“Molly? How did you...?” Nicholas then moved his hand from his face..Every countertop inside of Sweetness & Light had a Buche de Noel cake sitting on top
Last Updated : 2022-05-27
Latest chapter
Christmas Wishes (A Holiday Billionaire Love Story) Epilogue
2 years later...It was going to be the best Christmas ever.Three days before Christmas and Nicholas couldn't think of a time he'd been happier. Last year, he'd married Molly on Christmas Eve. This year, he hoped they could just enjoy their Christmas together in their new home. They'd purchased the small house in town that Molly had always secretly loved. Things were going exactly to plan.Nicholas hoped for a quiet Christmas this year, and it looked like he might get it.“I can't believe you ate that,” Nicholas said, glancing over at his wife and shaking his head. “Two breakfast hot dogs. Where did you even come up with the idea for them?”Molly shrugged and carefully avoided a patch of ice on the sidewalk. The sidewalks on their way to Sweetness & Light for their daily coffee were well shoveled, but winter always made things slippery. Once they had their coffee, they would head into work at Christmas Wishes for the last few days of the Christmas season.“It sounded good,” Molly tol
Christmas Wishes (A Holiday Billionaire Love Story) Chapter Forty-Four
NicholasWhen Nicholas arrived at the town square the place was packed.He was stuck near the back of the crowd as a man on stage, who Nicholas presumed to be Mr. Tony, presented another appetizing dish with Hannah at his side.“And what Christmas dish is this, Ms. Johnson? Oh wow, it smells out of this world!” Mr. Tony waved a hand across the dish before he pulled away the foil to reveal a large cooked turkey.Nicholas only vaguely paid attention to the show, his attention on finding Molly. He wasn't sure how he was going to find her in this large of a crowd, but he wasn't about to give up now.“It’s not so out of this world, Mr. Tony. It’s actually an earth bird,” Hannah replied with a wink at her co-host, adjusting the bird to better show it off to the camera. “This is one of my favorite Christmas dishes. It’s roast turkey, flavored with lemon and garlic. I know some people watching at home think that turkeys are just for Thanksgiving—”“Yeah, because they’ve never had a slice of t
Christmas Wishes (A Holiday Billionaire Love Story) Chapter Forty-Three
NicholasNicholas reached the town’s Welcome Home sign that was situated on the county line and he kept right on running until it felt like his lungs would give right out.He needed to see Molly.There wasn’t any other way.On the run over, he’d thought through all the coincidences in the car and all the coincidences in his life that led him to Molly Carmichael. He’d thought about her love of the Christmas holiday and the odds of her working for his parents, the timing of neither one of them currently being in a romantic relationship, his own disinterest in running the store making her want to put in the effort to convince him otherwise, making her want to spend time with him.Everything just made too much sense, without making any sense at all.And because he couldn’t explain everything logically away, he needed to find at least one answer.The answer to the question that was burning right through his core.He needed to know if Molly Carmichael felt the same thing he did. Did she fee
Christmas Wishes (A Holiday Billionaire Love Story) Chapter Forty-Two
Molly“We’re starting in fifteen minutes people! And I still haven’t had my coffee!” Mr. Tony was now shouting into a megaphone, which Molly found to be a hilarious concept because a man with a natural voice as loud as Mr. Tony’s didn’t need any extra amplification.As soon as he’d finished his announcement, a cup of coffee appeared in his hands. “Thank you! Finally, we’re getting somewhere!”Mr. Tony set down the megaphone and all of his focus went to sipping at his drink.Molly’s own focus went over to Hannah, who was still standing on the stage and seemed to be rehearsing her lines for the segment.Molly smiled to herself, feeling so proud of her best friend in that moment. She still remembered the first time Hannah baked anything, her parents not letting her near the oven until she was thirteen. Hannah’s very first dish was a simple recipe for chocolate chip cookies, but even back then, Molly could tell that there was something special about Hannah’s cooking.Hannah would always b
Christmas Wishes (A Holiday Billionaire Love Story) Chapter Forty-One
MollyAs Molly walked into Sweetness & Light, she was greeted by the sight of several boom mics, cameras, and TV staff all scattered around the bakery. She had to show her ID to a man outside the door just to get in.There was no sign of Hannah, but Molly did spot Liam setting out a tray of sugar cookies on the counter. The cookies were descended upon by members of what Molly assumed were BakeTown’s filming crew before they each returned to their respective workstations.“Hannah?” Molly called out for her friend as she approached the counter. When she didn’t hear a response, Molly then turned towards one of the people holding onto a large camera.“Hi. Sorry, if I’m, um, in the shot?” Molly waved at the camera-person.They shook their head in response. “We’re not rolling yet. Don’t worry about it, ma’am.”“Oh. Good.” Molly nodded with a smile. “Have you seen Hannah Johnson around anywhere? I wanted to make sure I was here for the big shoot.”“Yeah, she’s in hair & makeup in the back.”
Christmas Wishes (A Holiday Billionaire Love Story) Chapter Forty
Nicholas“Well, it’s almost like you came home for Christmas. Kind of,” Mrs. Kerstman said, greeting her son as he came to their front door. “It’s still better than what we’re used to, which is not having you home around this time at all.”“Yes, it was nice to see you around Christmastime, Nicky,” Mr. Kerstman agreed. “And you’re always welcome to pop-in on us, whenever you want. Although, with all that money you earned from selling the rights to the shop, your mom and I imagine that you’ll be busier than ever.”“If it’s even possible for you to be even busier than before,” Mrs. Kerstman said, smiling up at her son. “We’re so proud of you, son. You know that, don’t you?”“I know, mom. I know,” he said softly. Nicholas smiled down at his mother. “I’ll need to get on the road pretty soon. Luke’s waiting in the car. I already sent your gifts back in November, so they should’ve already arrived in the mail by now.”“Yes, they did and they were perfect as always. We’ll see you on New Year’s
Christmas Wishes (A Holiday Billionaire Love Story) Chapter Thirty-Nine
NicholasNicholas looked over his luggage piled up in the rented cabin’s living room with an ache in his chest he didn't recognize. Usually, he was excited to leave this town and head back to New York. Usually, he couldn't wait to get out of here.His eyes scanned the cabin yet again, wanting to make sure that he’d packed everything that he’d brought with him. Despite his best efforts, he felt like he was forgetting something important. He knew he had everything from the cabin packed though. The thing he was forgetting wasn't his anymore.When he felt satisfied that he really had packed up all his belongings, he plopped down on the living room couch, letting his face fall into his hands.He was so tired.He’d found it difficult to get any sleep at all last night, and he tossed and turned and worried and worried and worried about Molly Carmichael.He wanted to fix it. He wanted to find a way to make-up for the hurt he’d caused her back at the bakery. He wanted her to somehow be okay wi
Christmas Wishes (A Holiday Billionaire Love Story) Chapter Thirty-Eight
Molly“Molly!” Mrs. Carmichael greeted her with kisses as she pulled her daughter inside her home. “Merry Christmas, my sweetheart!”“Ah, lay off the girl, Emma! She just stepped through the door,” Mr. Carmichael told her. He was holding a cup of coffee in his hands and he smiled over at his daughter. “Merry Christmas, Molly. Where are our presents?”“Dad, you know I put your stuff under the tree weeks ago,” Molly replied with a grin. She walked over to her father, pulling him in for a hug as well. “You’re always trying to trick me into getting you guys more presents.”“And one of these days, you’re going to fall for it. Hook, line and sinker,” he said with a laugh. “I hope you still like sausage, hash-browns and Christmas waffles. Your mother emptied out an entire can of whipped cream over the stack of waffles this year.”“Sounds perfect,” Molly said. She turned to smile back at her mother who was still standing near the door. “Thanks, mom.”“Anything for you, my Molly.” Mrs. Carmich
Christmas Wishes (A Holiday Billionaire Love Story) Chapter Thirty-Seven
Molly“I’m sorry for asking you to come over like this, Hannah, I know it’s the night before your big day,” Molly sobbed, sitting on her living room couch with Hannah seated right beside her.“Don’t apologize for calling me over. There’s no place in the world I’d rather be,” Hannah told her. She offered Molly a sympathetic smile. “Do you want me to make you some hot chocolate? Will that make it feel a little bit better?”“I think this might be one of those heartbreaks that can’t be cured by sugar,” Molly said sadly.“Yikes. It’s that bad, huh?” Hannah scooted a bit closer to Molly’s side. “Okay, so I think I got the gist of it over the phone, but tell me what happened again.”“Nicholas sold the store.” It hurt a little bit less every time she said it, but it still felt like a crushing defeat. “But that’s not even the worst part. It’s the way he did it. He sold it, and he didn’t tell me until about an hour ago. It was like all he cared about was his business and the money. And it felt
