Chapter 23
Christmas Day
IVY
Christmas Eve, I went to bed a single woman.
Twenty-four hours later, I’m engaged to Chase Hunter who’s convinced me that we should get married this New Year’s Eve.
Never, did I think falling in love would be this good, and after all the time spent avoiding love, I’m thankful to have found it with Chase. Ma is going to flip out when I tell her.
It’s Christmas Day now, and we are all gathered around the living room, waiting for Zia’s guests to arrive before the opening of the gifts commences.
Needless to say, they are all thrilled I said yes—for real.
The doorbell rings and Zia claps, giddy that the friend she met while at the hospital, is joining the Hunter Christmas festivities, along with her husband.
Maddie settles down by the tree, a huge grin plastered on her face. “Finally, I can start opening my gifts.”
Voices, familiar, can be heard off in the distance.
Ma? Dad?
Zia rounds the corner and behind her are my mother and father.
I gasp and practically leap to my feet. “Ma? Dad? What are you two doing here?”
Ma’s face goes blank. “Evelyn?What areyoudoing here?”
Zia looks at me, then to Ma and Dad. “Um, you three know each other?”
Chase stands, puts his arm around my waist, leans in close, and whispers, “That’s your mom?” He chuckles. “She’s the sweet oncology nurse I told you about.”
Ma approaches us, eyes glittered. “So, I’ve been trying to set you two up for the last six months, and look at this”—her eyes gloss over us, all knowing, as Chase pulls me in closer to him—“seems as though fate has already stepped in.”
Chase and I explain to Ma and Dad all about MyFakeFiance.com and needless to say, Ma—and Dad—just about die of happiness.
Who would have thought, when I answered an ad to play a fake fiancée, I’d actually end up engaged to him?
Perhaps Holly York has something special—a matchmaking service in disguise.
We’re all gathered around the tree now; Christmas melodies play softly in the background, as we open our gifts.
I blush, thoughts of the true gift I received this year.
Chase Hunter. MyRealBillionaire Fiancé at Christmas.
