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Chapter Twenty-Three
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2022-05-27 02:54:31Related chapters
Christmas Wishes (A Holiday Billionaire Love Story) Chapter Twenty-Four
MollyFor a man who claimed to be so uninterested in candy, Nicholas seemed to have no problem with helping little Naomi with reaching the top of the Christmas tree so she could have a candy cane.Molly thought that the gesture was just so sweet, not expecting Nicholas to be so generous with his height, or as comfortable with his place as Santa in the middle of the town’s parade.Nicholas Kerstman was full of so many surprises and Molly wondered if there would ever be an end to him pulling rabbit after rabbit out of his unassuming hat.It was time to walk off the float and over to the chair set up in the town square for Santa to sit. Nicholas offered her his arm, and together they walked like they really were Mr. and Mrs. Claus to the seating area. All around them, children cheered.At one point, the path was too narrow for them to continue walking arm in arm. Instead, Mr. Claus took her hand as they slipped through the narrow spot. He didn't let go and she found herself enjoying the
Last Updated : 2022-05-27Christmas Wishes (A Holiday Billionaire Love Story) Chapter Twenty-Five
MollyNicholas and Molly sat side by side on a bench, right on the edge of the relatively empty park. They watched as a few teenagers hung out near the back of a pick-up truck, clamoring with shared laughter from time to time.Their breath rose like dragon's breath as they sat with their cups and talked. Molly almost wished she hadn't worn a warm jacket so she could steal his again. She liked having the scent of him wrapped around her.Molly’s mind wandered back to when she and Hannah used to hang out in the park between classes, often trying to glean information from each other’s scribbled notes, while eating out of the same family sized bag of chips they’d been working on for a week straight. She'd loved those times with Hannah.“What’s wrong?” Nicholas asked, scooting a bit closer to Molly on the bench, his eyes looking down at her with concern. “You’re so quiet.”“Nothing,” Molly lied. She looked up into his hazel eyes and sighed. “Well, something. Hannah might be moving to New Yo
Last Updated : 2022-05-27Christmas Wishes (A Holiday Billionaire Love Story) Chapter Twenty-Six
NicholasNicholas and Molly had been working side-by-side at Christmas Wishes all morning. Nicholas noted that their collaborative workflow seemed to improve with more time spent together. They now took count of inventory, wrapped up the remaining gifts in the store and kept a watchful eye on Liam with relative ease.Earlier, Molly had mentioned that both of their parents would be coming back into town today, although she wasn’t sure of the time since they had to switch their flights due to the previous snowstorm.At first, Nicholas felt the familiar pang of worry that comes with having to introduce someone to his parents, whether it be a co-worker, a friend or a certain Head Elf he’d found himself quite fond of.But then he recalled that Molly had known his parents for years, which meant that she was aware of their oddities and possibly even liked them all the more for it. Plus, he knew they already liked her. It was nice not to have the stress of it.Molly had gone to the back of th
Last Updated : 2022-05-27Christmas Wishes (A Holiday Billionaire Love Story) Chapter Twenty-Seven
Nicholas“Luke, this better be very important. I’ve already told you that I’ve got a dinner to get ready for,” Nicholas said, holding up two ties in the mirror. He had Luke on loudspeaker as he dressed himself for the evening.“It’s very important, sir...” Luke hesitated. “It’s about the offer for the store.”“Is the offer off the table?” Nicholas asked, his stomach twisting. He took a deep breath. “Did we already let any other interested parties know that we had an offer to begin with? We should’ve already been setting the stage for a bidding war—”“No, the offer’s still on the table...” Luke hesitated once more. “But they’ve decided that they hate the name.”“They hate the name?” Nicholas asked, slightly surprised.“They really loathe it, sir,” Luke replied. Nicholas could hear the grimace on Luke's face. “They said it’s too cutesy and it would be awful for search results online. The SEO alone would be disastrous.”“What are their suggestions, then?” Nicholas asked, half afraid to h
Last Updated : 2022-05-27Christmas Wishes (A Holiday Billionaire Love Story) Chapter Twenty-Eight
NicholasFor the first time since his arrival, Molly insisted that Nicholas drive his vehicle through town instead of their usual pedestrian mode of transportation.Nicholas felt like he was on edge during the entire drive to wherever she had them heading.He couldn’t stop thinking about his car.In New York, his Jaguar was not a flashy car. It was nice, but relatively modest. He could have afforded a more expensive vehicle, but he liked the Jag. He’d often receive compliments about it, but other business owners were often surprised that someone at his level would choose such a cheap option when it came to his everyday ride.When it came time to choose a rental car, he'd picked a Jaguar like the one he had at home. It was something he felt comfortable with driving, even in the snow. He liked having something he knew how to drive.However, in this small town, Nicholas worried that his vehicle would stick out like a sore thumb. Instead of serving as a symbol of his modesty, he was conce
Last Updated : 2022-05-27Christmas 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 : 2022-05-27
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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
