Page 170 of The Havenport Collection

Maggie

I t was the Friday before Christmas, and I was stress eating. Not my go-to move; usually I went for a run or organized an already clean closet, but today I was steering into the skid.

Thankfully my father-in-law had come over with pizza, and he and the kids were watching Christmas movies in the finished basement. He gave me a knowing look when he walked in the door, which made me feel even worse.

My phone buzzed on the kitchen island, and I padded over to where I had left it before falling face-first into a bag of tortilla chips.

Cece: You need to get your ass down here ASAP.

I did a double take. What was she talking about?

Maggie: Where?

Cece: The Crisis Center’s X-mas party. It’s at Lucas Kim’s mansion.

I knew exactly where that was. The Thorn Mansion was one of the oldest and grandest properties in Havenport.

It was a massive estate with several outbuildings situated on ten prime waterfront acres.

The property had fallen into disrepair a while back, but then Lucas had moved to town and renovated it from top to bottom.

I had never been inside but had seen spectacular photos online when Architectural Digest did a feature on the house last year.

Maggie: I’m not following. Also, I wasn’t invited.

Cece: I just talked to Astrid. You are officially invited.

Cece: Just throw on something cute and get down here. Josh is here, and this is your chance. I promise you.

What was Josh doing at the shelter’s Christmas party?

My mother, a longtime volunteer, raved about the event every year, but I had never been.

A massive holiday party thrown at a billionaire’s mansion didn’t seem like the right place to patch things up with my estranged husband, but I didn’t have a better option at the moment.

Thankfully I had showered after my run this morning, so I threw on the sexy dress Christian had forced me to buy for Cece’s engagement party last year and pulled my hair up into a high ponytail. I could add mascara and lip gloss at red lights.

I drove to the south side of town and slowed when I saw a security guard in a small shack at the corner of the street.

He was a friendly looking man in his sixties. “Are you here for the party?” he asked.

“Yes. Maggie Leary.”

He scrolled through his phone. “Yup. Here you are. Drive down to the valet stand. It’s at the end of the drive after the stables. Keep an eye out for the horse-drawn sleigh.”

I turned down the private drive, looking for the house, but it wasn’t visible from here. The driveway had to be a mile long, meandering through tall trees and artfully rustic landscaping, all of which was lit up with string lights and wreaths.

After I handed my keys to the parking attendant, I stopped to survey the house.

It was a massive brick Georgian, complete with a columned portico in front. I was dazzled by the grand symmetry and the sheer size of the structure. Tasteful wreaths hung from every window, and the house was bright and welcoming.

A string quartet played “Silver Bells” from somewhere near the back as I walked in and was met by a twenty-foot-tall Christmas tree in the marble foyer.

Before I could catch my breath, I was relieved of my coat and handed a glass of champagne by Astrid.

“I’ve never seen a party like this before,” I said.

“Welcome to a benevolent billionaire bash,” she said, toasting my champagne glass.

“Lucas does this every year. The guests are all the employees and volunteers of the crisis center, right down to the cleaning staff. They invite all past and present clients too. These families have all been served by the center, and many of them are out thriving in the community.” Astrid, looking incredible in a dress that looked like an oversized tuxedo jacket, explained as she led me through the mansion.

There was a room with a massive dining table—probably large enough to seat thirty and worth more than my car—filled with small children making gingerbread houses. Frosting and candy were smeared on every surface as several adults coached them in their creations.

We passed a screening room where older kids were watching Elf and a tuxedo-clad waiter was popping popcorn at an old-fashioned machine.

“Is this place for real?” I asked.

“Yup. I know it’s a lot to take in. Here, everyone is in the back.” She pointed to a massive great room. It was complete with several ornate chandeliers, couches and chairs scattered around, and a full-service bar in one corner.

On the back wall, sitting in front of a massive fireplace, was Lucas Kim, dressed as Santa Claus. He was handing out presents to adults and kids and posing for selfies.

But I was not prepared to see the man standing next to him.

Josh, dressed up in an elf costume, was taking photos and organizing what I can only describe as a mountain of gifts. He looked handsome, as always, with his broad shoulders and dazzling smile, but also ridiculous wearing leggings and a pointy hat.

Astrid elbowed me and smiled as she stifled a giggle.

“He looks good,” she said, waggling her eyebrows.

I elbowed her playfully. “Thanks for getting me in.”

She slung an arm around me and gave me a squeeze.

“No problem, babe. He’ll be tied up for a while here, so enjoy the party, grab a drink, and have a good time.

Your mother is supervising the sleigh rides in the backyard, but her shift should wrap up soon.

Cece and Liam are around here somewhere with Declan.

Probably at the donut wall, which is where I am headed. ”

I gave her a nod as she departed and put a hand on my hip, enjoying the sight of my husband handing out gift cards and Lego sets to deliriously happy children while Christmas music permeated the air.

My heart clenched. I had no idea how he’d ended up playing elf to a billionaire Santa, but if I knew Josh, it was because he wanted to help.

And I loved him for it. I loved him for his willingness to change, to mix things up, and for not caring about looking silly. He did things because he wanted to, not because he had to.

He had lost his way these past few years, but so had I.

We had begun the hard work of forging paths back to each other, and for the first time, I knew with certainty we could do it.

My doubts faded away, and I saw Josh clearly.

He was the guy who was willing to do anything for me and for our family, and he always would be.

My heart swelled with love and forgiveness.

I grinned across the cavernous room filled with hundreds of people when our eyes met.

He smiled back—the biggest, silliest smile ever—and I practically melted into a puddle under his inspection.

He gave me a wink, and I clenched my thighs together.

He really did make a sexy elf. I slowly made my way toward him, throwing my arms around him and kissing him when I made it through the crowd.

“I love you,” he said, his face buried in my hair as I squeezed him.

I nodded.

“The next elf takes over in thirty minutes. Meet me on the deck?”

I nodded and left him to his duties, trying to calm the butterflies in my stomach.

“Josh,” Lucas hollered, grinning at me, “no slacking on the job. Erica is around here somewhere.”

I looked around, keeping an eye out for the formidable redhead. Erica was the director of the Greater Havenport Crisis Center and was known for running a tight ship.

Nodding to Lucas and Josh, I made my way to the bar.

I managed to pass the time by chatting with my mother, saying hello to various friends, and sipping champagne.

The food looked amazing, but I was too nervous to enjoy it, so I settled for just taking in every detail of the Christmas wonderland around me.

The longer I waited, the more terrified I became.

I’d thrown on a cocktail dress and crashed this party. What was I thinking ?

Part of me was dying to flee the scene, drive home, and hide under my duvet. But I had to woman up and talk to him. I had to acknowledge my fears and dive in anyway, so I made my way back to the great room to meet him when his shift ended.

He smiled at me the minute I walked into the room. But I was momentarily distracted by the elf who had come in to relieve him.

Nora. Dressed as what I can only describe as a sexy elf, she was tugging on the skirt of her costume in an attempt to make it less indecent as she sidled up next to me.

“Don’t look at me,” she said, scowling. “I look like a Christmas stripper who got too drunk on eggnog.”

I laughed. “I think you look great, as always.” And she did.

Nora possessed the kind of voluptuous figure most women would kill for, and her hair and makeup were always perfect.

Adding to her allure was the kind of self-confidence to pull off literally any outfit, including the positively ridiculous elf getup she was sporting.

“I hate Lucas Kim so much,” she seethed. “That fucker is going to pay for doing this to me.”

“Ah, Nora, I’m so glad you’re here.” Lucas slung his arm around her shoulder. He was a distractingly handsome Santa, even with the cheesy white beard. “Josh could use a break.” He winked at me, ramping my apprehension up another notch.

Erica came bustling over with a clipboard and lectured Lucas about staying on schedule, and Josh used the opportunity to pull me away. He led me out to the foyer, where he grabbed our coats from the attendant at the door.

“I want to show you something,” he said.

He helped me with my coat, his warm breath tickling my neck as he pulled my hair out from under the collar. Just that tiny bit of contact had me squeezing my thighs again. I didn’t know if I could survive the night.

Out back, white lights wound up the tree trunks, illuminating a path through the woods.

“Are you okay if we walk a bit?” he asked, looking at my shoes. Thankfully I had worn flats. They weren’t the best for trekking around in December, but they would do.

I nodded, taking his offered arm and breathing in the cold winter air.

“This is quite a place,” I said.

“I know. It’s ridiculous and ostentatious, but he really does go all out for the shelter.”

“It’s fantastic. My mom talks constantly about how much he does.”

“He’s a good man and a great friend.”

We meandered through the formal gardens, which were blanketed with a light dusting of snow.

The trees opened up to a large lawn that stretched all the way to the ocean.

Sculptures were placed at intervals leading down a path, many wearing Santa hats or elf ears.

It was cheeky and adorable. Lucas may have been a billionaire, but at least he had a sense of humor.

This was my moment. Out here, surrounded by so much beauty, walking arm and arm with my husband. It was time to say something.

“Josh,” I said, leaning into him. “I’m so sorry.”

He was silent for several moments as we walked slowly through sculptures and shrubbery.

“I know you’ve changed. I see it every single day and have for months. You’ve been changing and evolving right in front of my eyes. And I let my hurt blind me to it.”

He put his arm around me and squeezed. “That means a lot, Maggie.”

“And I want to try again. More than anything. Not just for the kids, but for us. Me and you. I want my Josh back, the man I fell in love with. You’ve been here, waiting for me, and I’m ready.”

He stopped and turned, taking my face into his hands, the moonlight casting a glow on his skin. “I’ve been waiting so long for this moment,” he said.

He moved in and kissed me gently. It was a promise.

“Thank you for waiting for me to catch up,” I said.

“I knew you would.”

I snuggled into him as we strolled down the path toward the water. There were lights and decorations out here, too, casting an ethereal glow. My heart was so full I didn’t even feel the cold as we stood on the dock, looking out at the moonlit ocean.

“I want to keep working at this,” I said. “Together. I promise to communicate with you and stop avoiding conflict.”

“And I promise to continue working on my priorities and setting boundaries. I’ll never stop working to make you and the kids happy.”

“I love you, Josh. And I won’t stop either.”

“We can’t go back to the way we were,” he said. “I want more than an empty shell of a marriage. I want true partnership—what we used to have.”

“We’re not ever going back. We’re moving forward, together, into a brighter future.”

And this time, he really kissed me. Deep and passionate, his hands burning holes through my wool coat. I wound my arms around his neck, wanting to feel every inch of him. Josh and I had kissed tens of thousands of times in our fifteen years together. But this? This kiss felt like a new beginning.

“Woo-hoo. Yeah!” came cheers from nearby.

I pulled away. “What was that?”

Josh chuckled. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

I turned to see Cece, Liam, Declan, and Astrid riding in the horse-drawn sleigh, each holding an open bottle of champagne and cheering.

“Get it, girl,” Astrid hooted, raising her bottle at us.

“Love you guys,” Cece shouted.

My face went hot. It had been many years since Josh and I had indulged in any PDA, and I was out of practice.

“Nothing to see here,” Josh yelled back at them, tilting my chin and turning back to me with a smirk. “If they want a show, we’ll give them a show.”

And before I could react, he grabbed me, dipped me, and kissed me passionately, sending my brain and my body into hormonal overdrive, so I clung to him, kissing him with everything I had while shouts and applause echoed across the lawn.

I was madly in love with this man, and I wanted the world to know it.