Millie woke on Christmas morning to the sound of rain smattering against the glass. She rolled onto her side and blinked up at Cole who was wide awake, his head propped up on his hand, gazing down at her.

“How long have you been awake?” she asked, stretching her arms overhead. She’d moved into his room after Nate’s untimely arrival. Sometimes, she thought she might ask to stay, even when Nate went back to LA, but then a niggling little voice would tell her that felt too much like living together. She wasn’t sure either of them was ready for that. Having her own separate room at least gave the illusion they were only dating. Since their dual declaration of love, their relationship had moved at a hell of a pace, and even though remembering his words never ceased to give her a thrill, making that final commitment seemed too brave a step.

“Not long.”

“Were you watching me sleep?”

“Yep,” he said with an embarrassed smile. “Does that creep you out?”

“Nope.” She leaned in for a kiss. He tasted all minty fresh, which meant he must have already used the bathroom. She slung the covers to one side. “Need to brush my teeth.”

She quickly freshened up and then scooched back under the covers. There was a definite chill in the air, probably because the heating hadn’t kicked in yet. She snuggled into Cole’s side. He was always warm, like her own personal electric blanket.

“Do you want your present now or later?”

She raised herself up on her elbow. “You got me a present?”

He rolled his eyes. “Duh. It’s Christmas, and you’re my girlfriend. Of course I got you a present.”

Good thing she’d gotten him one, too. Since she and Cole had become an item, Jax refused to take any rent from her at all, even though she had fought him on the issue until he’d told her, in no uncertain terms, that if she continued to argue he’d throw her out on the street. He’d been joking—at least she thought he had—but it had certainly shut her up. At least not paying rent allowed her to save some money, which came in handy for occasions such as Christmas and birthdays.

She sat up, cross-legged, and wrapped the covers around her shoulders, her excitement palpable. “Now, please.”

Cole grinned and reached into his nightstand drawer. He removed two beautifully wrapped gifts, each one decorated with a red-and-white striped bow.

“Okay, so I didn’t wrap these myself. Laurella did.”

“That girl is a wonder,” Millie said.

He passed her the smaller of the two gifts. “This one first.”

Her fingers trembled as she untied the bow and carefully unwrapped the paper. Even as a child, she’d always savored the opening of gifts. It drew out the anticipation and, therefore, the pleasure.

Inside was a black velvet square box. Holding her breath, she opened it. Nestled on the green velvet—the color reminded her of Cole’s eyes—was a trio of silver bangles. She took them out. Each one had an inscription with a different message. My love. My life. My Mia.

Her hand flew to her chest. “Oh, Cole. They’re gorgeous.”

“Here,” he said, taking them from her trembling fingers. He slipped them over her wrist. “They look good on you.”

As she twisted her wrist from side to side, they made a lovely tinkling sound. “I adore them.”

He picked up the other gift and handed it to her. “I hope you don’t think I’ve been presumptuous when you open this, but, well…” He shook his head as though annoyed with himself. “Just open it.”

She did as he asked. Inside was a glossy magazine, or at least that was what she first thought until she turned it over. It was a prospectus for a college right here in New York.

She frowned in confusion. “What’s this?”

“Hear me out,” he said. “I know you always wanted to be a teacher. It’s never too late to follow your dreams. You’re only twenty-eight. My boss has a contact there who’s arranged for you to have a tour of the campus in the New Year, you know, see if you like it. And if you do, well, then you could start next fall. I know that’s a long way off but—”

She placed her finger over his lips, silencing him. “It’s a lovely thought, Cole, but I can’t afford the fees.”

“You can if I help.”

She shook her head violently. “No. I pay my own way.”

He made a frustrated noise. “Stop being so proud. Let me help you. The hotel is doing really well, far better than Jax had predicted in his original business plan.” His big hand closed over hers, swallowing it whole. “What else am I going to do with my share of the profits? I want to do this.” He gave her a cocky grin. “I’m sure we can come up with some interesting ways for you to thank me.”

She smirked at him. “I’ll bet you can.”

“At least go for a look around. That can’t hurt, can it?”

She pulled in her lips, studying him. He was so eager, so earnest, she didn’t want to cast aside his thoughtful gift.

“Okay. I’ll go for a visit. But no promises.”

He flashed her a smug grin, and she rolled her eyes.

“Excellent.”

“Do you want your present now?” she asked.

His forehead wrinkled in surprise. “You got me something?”

Anxiety mingled with excitement spread through her midsection. His gift had been hard to organize, and had cost more than she’d anticipated spending, but if he liked it, none of that would matter. She climbed out of bed and got down on her knees. She’d hidden the present under the bed because she doubted Cole would ever peek under there. The chance to make him laugh came to her, and she popped her head back up. “And before you make a wisecrack, no, it isn’t what you think.”

He threw back his head and laughed, the sound filling her with joy. She’d never thought happiness like this existed. Cole proved that belief to be incorrect.

She carefully set the box on top of the bed, her teeth worrying her lip. “I hope you like it. You’re a hard man to buy for.”

His eyes glowed with excitement as he reached for the box. She hadn’t tied his with a bow—that didn’t seem to fit for a man—but she had taken extra care making sure all the corners were wrapped neatly.

Cole wasn’t a careful unwrapper. He tore at the paper, and not even along the seams. Peeling back the sides of the box, he peered inside. “Oh, Mia.” He lifted out the custom model she’d had made of his boat. “It’s amazing. How did you do this?”

“Calum took me down to the mooring so I could take photographs, and Laurella helped me find someone local who could make a replica from the images.” She pointed to the back—she couldn’t for the life of her remember the boating term. “See, they even got her name on there. Rebecca.”

With infinite care, Cole placed the boat on his nightstand. And then the box went flying as he leaped on her. She squealed loudly as he covered her face, neck, breasts in warm, wet kisses.

“You are the best girlfriend ever.”

“Thank you so much for having us,” Mom said to Indie, rising to leave after Christmas lunch. “We’ve had such a lovely time.”

“Anytime, Mrs. Frayser,” Indie said. “It’s been wonderful to meet you.”

Cole got to his feet. “Let me get your coats.”

“I’ll walk you out,” Millie said as Cole helped her parents into their winter coats. She brushed a hand down Cole’s arm. “Won’t be long.”

His brows pulled in, but he didn’t argue. She had good reason to want to be alone with her parents—because she wanted to talk about Cole. Specifically, her and Cole.

“Have you got a minute before you head off?” she asked them when they reached the top of the stairs.

“Of course,” Mom replied.

Millie gestured for them to go into the bar-lounge area. She waved at Marion who was helping Isa behind the bar. It was packed with vacationers enjoying a late afternoon celebratory drink. Millie found a spot in a corner and indicated for her parents to sit.

“You seem happy, settled,” Mom said.

“I am. I’m happier than I ever thought I could be.”

“Cole?” Mom asked tentatively.

Millie nodded. “But I’m scared, too.”

“Of what, darling?” Dad asked.

Millie grimaced. “Look, I haven’t said much about my years with Tanner because I don’t want to upset you, but they weren’t good. And what does that say about my judgment? Don’t get me wrong, Cole is nothing like Tanner, but what if I mess up again?”

“Oh, my darling girl,” Mom said, caressing Millie’s cheek. “One mistake does not define the wonderful, amazing woman you are. If you were wrong about anything, it was not reaching out to your father and I when you needed us. We would never have turned you away.”

Millie bit down on her lip. “I wasn’t sure, after everything, after the way I broke off our relationship, that you’d want to help me. I didn’t think I had the right to bring trouble to your door.”

Dad’s eyes bulged, while her mother’s face creased in pain, and her hand covered her mouth.

“Oh, my baby. How we’ve failed you.”

Millie violently shook her head. “No,” she said, her tone adamant. “It’s me who’s failed you. I should have listened to you when you warned me about Tanner, but I was blind and stupid.”

Mom shuffled her chair closer, and her arms came around Millie’s neck while Dad rubbed her back. It was several seconds before they broke apart. Mom dug in her purse for a tissue and dabbed it to her face, then wiped mascara stains from underneath her eyes.

“We are your parents, and we love you. We will always be there for you. And as for Cole? You’re older and wiser now. Trust your judgment and trust your heart. If you think Cole is the right man for you, then he is.”

Millie swallowed her emotions as she walked her parents outside. She hailed them a cab and waved them off, her throat raw from trying to keep her tears at bay. Their unequivocal support toward her, and their faith in her was exactly what she’d desperately needed to hear from them but feared she never would.

With her parents and Cole in her corner, a happy future was within her grasp.