When she had relayed the story to her work friends the next day, their reactions were divided. “This ismagical,” Gia had declared, swooning onto the couch in Karina’s crowded-with-fashion-samples office. But Karina had been more cynical. “I could swear I saw a photo of him in the society pages just last month, out on the town with his girlfriend, Elsa Miller. Themodel.”
“Well, he didn’t mention any models last night,” Anna had replied, her expression dreamy. It was clear she had fallen head over borrowed heels. Karina had patted her on the shoulder and said, “I love seeing you so happy—but keep your eyes open.” So, Anna dutifully made a weak attempt to look into Nick’s past relationships by going through newspaper back issues and asking around. Except she felt like she was testing her luck. If she looked too deeply into him, he might do the same to her—and not like what he found. So, Anna had decided to stop digging and take Nick at his word. From day one, Nick was fully committed to her. He was the perfect boyfriend, and she was the perfect girlfriend—and they were going to have a perfect life together. Which now included the most perfect Christmas ever.
Anna hopped out of bed and crossed the room to where Nick’s packed suitcase sat open. It was a marvel of rolled-up socks, neatly folded boxers and undershirts, an array of silkpajamas, ties in several colors. A heavy garment bag beside the suitcase contained his suits and tuxedo, the sort of attire that was required for a Vandergrey family Christmas. Anna knew it was all going to be dazzling—and very expensive. She felt queasy when she thought of the state of her already pathetic bank account after she bought several expensive new outfits and a thoughtful, tasteful gift for each of his family members. Growing up, she hadn’t been deprived of anything, but her family’s celebration of both Christmas and Hanukkah had been homespun rather than all store-bought. Anna, Jack, and Anna’s stepmom, Beth, had always exchanged at least one handmade gift—which, Jack always said, were the gifts that came from the heart.
Even though Anna sensed handmade gifts were not the Vandergrey style, she hadn’t been able to resist making Nick just one special thing—to show him how much she cared about him and invite him into her holiday world. This gift wasn’t one Anna necessarily wanted Nick opening in front of his family. It was humble and personal: a handmade photo album chronicling their relationship so far. It had only been six months, but there were still many photos to fit in the little album. So many that Anna had had a delightfully hard time choosing among the snaps of their weekend in New York City, their ski trip to Vail, charity balls, picnics, and dinner dates. Now, as she flipped quickly through the album, smiling back at her own grinning face, the cache of memories made her feel secure and confident in her relationship. She was nervous about meeting his family, but it was all going to work out. She carefully moved aside a pair of socks so she could slide the album into Nick’s suitcase, where he would find it later as a surprise.
Anna was the one who was surprised, though: a tiny jewelry box was tucked in among Nick’s clothes.
She shouldn’t look at what was inside; she knew that. But suddenly Anna felt consumed by the desire to know what the box contained. She had bought Nick solid gold cuff links in the shape of little stars, a loving reminder of their meeting at the Gala Under the Stars—but if Nick had bought her something far more extravagant, she would need to get him something else, too. She didn’t want to be caught unawares, embarrassed in front of his family. There was so much riding on this. Just a tiny peek, she told herself. Just so she could make sure this was going to be the most magical Christmas ever and she was not going to disappoint Nick in any way.
She flipped open the box—and gasped.
It was a square-cut diamond on a yellow gold band—just like the one Brad Pitt had once given to Gwyneth Paltrow.
An engagement ring.
For her.
Anna stared down at it and tried to slow her racing thoughts.
Nick was planning to propose over Christmas. It wassoromantic!
It was also... sosoon.
She heard the shower turn off and quickly replaced the ring in the suitcase. Then she dashed across the room and hopped back into bed, mind still reeling. She had thought about marrying Nick, many times—of course she had. You didn’t meet a Prince Charming and not fantasize repeatedly about walking off into the sunset together. But she had always assumed they’d date at least a year before getting engaged.
Was it terribly romantic that he wanted things to move fast? Or was it terri-fying?
The bathroom door opened. Anna stared up at the ceiling, trying to get her breathing to return to normal.
Nick entered the room in a towel and stopped when he saw her. “Hey. Don’t you need to get to the office, then to the airport? Today has to go like clockwork, don’t forget.”
“Right, yes, of course,” Anna said, hopping out of bed and planting a kiss on his cheek as she headed into the kitchen for her coffee.
After showering, Anna dressed in the outfit she had planned for this very eventful day as she listened to Nick in the kitchen, singing along to a Michael Bublé Christmas album piping through the many speakers in his apartment. She surveyed herself in the mirror. Her outfit was not practical for winter weather but could go seamlessly from day to night, and airport to gala: a blue silk strapless cocktail minidress paired with an oversized blazer she could shrug off and replace with the pashmina she had rolled into her handbag.
She double-checked that her own luggage was as perfectly packed as Nick’s. It was a small carry-on bag—which she and Nick had agreed was the right choice to ensure she could get out of the airport as quickly as possible. They were heading straight to a champagne reception his family was hosting in a private room at the Ritz. After that, it was off to Roy Thomson Hall for box seats at a seasonal symphony performance with a select group of family and friends. Anna couldn’t remember if they were eating dinner before the symphony or after—but she knew it was all on the schedule, printed and placed in hersuitcase by Nick so she wouldn’t get confused about the swarm of activities his family had planned.
Normally, a holiday during the winter months required packing winter gear like parkas or boots, but Nick had explained there wouldn’t be time for any outdoor activities. “Not even skating at Nathan Phillips Square?” Anna had asked, thinking back to another fond memory from her days in Toronto as a child.
Nick had tilted his head quizzically, as if the thought of going skating at Toronto’s city hall had never occurred to him. Anna had decided not to pursue it—and did not suggest tobogganing on the Christie Pits slope or a wintry walk through High Park, either.
“Okay, babe, I’m heading out.”
Anna walked with Nick to the door of his spacious condo, one that overlooked downtown Denver on one side and the Rockies on the other, to give him a kiss before he left for the airport. She could still see the engagement ring in her mind’s eye, sparkling, beautiful... and overwhelming. She looked up into his eyes and wondered when it would happen. Would he propose to her in a stolen moment that was just the two of them? Or would he do it on Christmas morning, in front of the tree... and his entire family?
She stood on her tiptoes to kiss him goodbye.
“Mmm,” she murmured. He tasted like the expensive toothpaste he ordered from Italy. But he pulled away from her and frowned.
“Coffee breath,” he said with a shrug. “Hope you didn’t pack your toothbrush already.” Then he put his hands on her shoulders and held her firmly. “Okay, so remember.Clockwork.I’ll see you later at Pearson.” This was Toronto’s main airport.
“Of course. Got it. I have the schedule,” Anna said, lowering her head as she spoke because she now felt self-conscious about the coffee breath. But as she ducked her head, she nestled into his chest for a moment and listened to the beating of his heart. This was going to be the best Christmas. She just had to get through one morning of work, grab a taxi to the airport, fly to Toronto—and then the fairy-tale holiday season would begin. She looked up at Nick again and smiled. “Everything is going to be perfect.”
“It has to be,” Nick said, patting her on the head, then releasing her. “Now, one last thing. I have a surprise for you before I go.”
Anna felt light-headed. It was happening already. If this was going to be the big moment, maybe that was a relief—because, she realized, her hands suddenly slick with sweat, she didn’t know what she was going to say. Maybe she could ask for a little time to think. Maybe they could have some time to talk about it. “There is no more lovely, friendly, and charming relationship, communion, or company than a good marriage,” Anna had watched her dad write in a wedding card to a pair of friends once, quoting Martin Luther. Marriage was a serious thing; she had been raised to believe this. It was not something to be taken lightly—or said yes to on a whim. She loved Nick and felt almost sure she wanted to spend her life with him. But her heart was now beating so fast she was near panic.
