Hired a Gigolo, Got a Billionaire

Chapter 276 Nathaniel's POV The soft glow of the candles Annie had scattered around the living room wrapped the whole space in this warm, cozy atmosphere that felt like the perfect counterpoint to the icy December chill outside. We were sunk into her couch, each holding a mug of hot chocolate, watching one of those completely predictable Christmas movies that play nonstop this time of year. On-screen, the hero was sprinting through an airport to catch the woman he'd fallen madly in love with after what... two weeks? A dramatic soundtrack swelled behind him.

Annie laughed, almost choking on her drink. "Have you noticed how all these couples fall in love at record speed in these movies?" I asked, sliding my arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer. "Two weeks in and they're ready to change countries for each other. 11 Annie settled against my chest, still smiling. "Maybe it's because they know time is short," she said, absentmindedly tracing little circles on my shirt. "When something feels special, it doesn't make sense to pretend it isn't-or drag things out." Her words hit me harder than she could've known.

There was a truth in them that echoed a little too loudly inside me the fear that I was wasting precious time by postponing a conversation I knew was unavoidable. - "So what were Christmases like in your family?" I asked, steering away from my thoughts before they gave me away. "You've never told me much about your traditions." Annie pulled back just enough to look up at me, a nostalgic smile softening her face. "It was actually really simple," she said, messing with the handle of her mug.

"My mom insisted on getting everyone together on Christmas Eve, and my dad dressed up as Santa with this ridiculous fake belly he bought from a cheap costume shop." She laughed a little, though I caught the faint melancholy under it. "Zoey was always in charge of dessert and made rainbow gelatin because it was the only thing she could cook without burning the house down. Matthew put together a playlist with the cheesiest Christmas songs he could find. And I...

kept the tradition going until I moved here," she said, snuggling back against me. "It was our moment. No matter what was happening in anyone's life, that night it was just the five of us-talking, laughing, remembering old stories." The way she spoke about those memories, tender and unguarded, made me understand her even better. Annie treasured

slightly to look at me. "What's Christmas like with the Carters?" "My parents insist on getting everyone together in Bath," I said, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head. "My 1/3 mom starts preparing in November, planning every detail like it's the very first Christmas she's ever hosted. My dad plays piano after dinner, always the same classic holiday pieces he learned when he was young." I paused, remembering the last few

sounds... interesting." "She's a good person," I said quickly, realizing I might've sounded too critical. "She just has very strong ideas

so I could face her fully, cupping her face gently in both hands. "I'm sure they'd already love you... just because you make me

a small box wrapped in gold

quote etched in elegant lettering: You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. - Jane Austen. Annie went completely silent, running her fingertips across the metal like she was trying to memorize every curve. "Nate..." she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "It's beautiful." 2/3 "I know you're a fan," I said, watching the genuine awe on her face. "And... well, I thought the