I tapped the toe of my Jimmy Choo as I watched for Greg to pull the limo up. At last, his headlights flashed through the glass door, and I hurried into the frigid night. I didn’t go far, though, since I’d promised Greg I’d wait for him to escort me to the car. Snow was my enemy when wearing heels.

Greg jumped out of the front seat as soon as he’d parked, striding toward me. His twinkling gray eyes met mine before he offered me his arm, and his mouth tipped up at one corner. “You actually waited for me.”

With my chin high, I looped my hand to grip his forearm as we crossed the short distance. “I didn’t want to risk spraining an ankle.” Or making a fool of myself by falling into him as I’d done last month after my parents’ gala. Though, the few moments in his strong embrace were almost worth my embarrassment.

“You’re the one who decided to wear death-trap shoes.”

As if to emphasize his words, one of my heels slipped, but I steadied myself against him. My heart raced as his peppermint and cedar scent enveloped me. I had to get control of myself. “These are Jimmy Choos.” I sniffed. “I’ll have you know this particular style isn’t even available to the public yet.” I looked up, way up, to see what he had to say about that. Even in my heels, he still had four inches on me, and it was more than annoying at times like this.

Greg scoffed. “Just cause they’re pretty doesn’t mean they’re practical. Michigan doesn’t give a damn about the latest fashion trend.” He yanked open the back door of the limo with a chiding glare.

I transferred my grip to his gloved hand, feeling like a chastised puppy as I slid into the back seat. I couldn’t do anything on my own, not even a simple walk to the car. A heavy fog of depression crept over me. Christmas was over. Tonight was the last of the parties I had to attend and the week until New Year loomed.

My brother Derek and his fiancée Avery had hosted tonight. Our friends Gina and Liam were there, too, along with their current significant others. Greg and I had been the only singles there.

Not that I minded being single. It was a huge improvement from being engaged to Kevin, my ex-fiancé I broke up with two months ago. But it was difficult to see Derek and Avery snuggled together, stealing touches or kisses every chance they got. My eye caught on Greg coming out with another armload of presents, and I sighed. It was especially hard when the man I wanted was always so close, yet so unattainable.

Greg shut the trunk with a thud that echoed through the limo, then he took his place in the front seat. The barrier between us was down, as usual. His gaze caught mine in the mirror, looking much less stormy than a few minutes ago. “Did you get your present?”

I frowned. We’d already exchanged gifts inside. My fingers grazed the soft cashmere scarf he’d given me. I’d gifted him a bottle of cologne, the same kind he always wore. It ensured I could have my fill of his delicious scent.

The light from a streetlamp glinted off a small package to my right. Excitement fluttered through me as I reached for it, a full smile blooming on my face when I felt the familiar weight. I held it up, giddy to see a whole bag of jellybeans wrapped in cellophane and tied with a lopsided red ribbon. I thought he’d forgotten. Warmth flooded me, a welcome change from the depressing bleakness that had cocooned me over the last few weeks.

“Merry Christmas, Jellybean,” he said softly.

My throat grew tight at all the memories his gift brought to mind, and I had to swallow before I answered, “Merry Christmas, Just Greg.” His face transformed with a genuine grin—the kind that made my stomach do all sorts of acrobatics.

“Home?”

I hated that word. It didn’t come close to describing the house I lived in. Exhaustion, heavier than a weighted blanket, settled over me once more, but I nodded. As we started off, I pushed aside my bleak thoughts and let my mind drift to the origin of Greg’s nickname.

Greg had hired on when he was nineteen as an apprentice to his uncle Harry, our main driver. Derek and I were thirteen, at the time, with too many activities for one driver to handle. My parents, owners of the vast Great Lakes Shipping empire, had wanted someone they knew and trusted. When Harry had recommended his nephew, that was that.

I smiled, calling to Greg, “How many nicknames did I try out on you?”

One side of his mouth ticked up, finding my eyes again in the mirror. “I didn’t keep track.”

Oh, how annoyed he’d been. There weren’t many nicknames for Greg, so I’d pestered him for his full name, Gregory James Peterson, trying every combination in the book.

“What was so wrong with Greg anyway?”

Absolutely nothing. “I thought it was too formal.” I shrugged. “Sorry.” We both chuckled.

One day he’d had enough. As I’d exited the limo, he’d stopped me with a gentle, “Miss Rhonda?”

I’d haughtily paused, staring up at his face while also trying to look down my nose at him. Difficult to do with him so much taller than me. His six-foot-two frame had seemed even more gigantic back then.

“No more nicknames. It’s just Greg.”

And I’d smiled brightly. “Fine, Just Greg.” Then I’d skipped off to my activity.

As the limo slowed to a stop in front of my too-big house, I grabbed my candy and waited for Greg to open the door. I took my time getting out, letting his steady hand guide me. At least my steps were clear so he wouldn’t need to walk me all the way up.

I couldn’t help glancing at his handsome face, a wave of longing crashing over me as I cradled my precious bag of jellybeans. This was the first time in two years he’d given me the gift in person. Shortly after I’d turned nineteen, Greg became my brother’s driver. I didn’t like to analyze why Greg had jumped ship. One specific incident stood out, but I shoved that aside, like always.

Lately, though, Greg had drifted back to me, but I wasn’t sure why. It seemed like he had a good thing going with Derek and Avery, crossing over from mere employee to good friends with both of them. Since the gala, though, I’d seen more and more of him.

I studied him for another moment, wondering about those six years between us. Now that I was twenty-one, it felt like it shouldn’t matter. My crush on him was as strong as the day it began two and a half years ago. Maybe even stronger.

But my feelings didn’t seem to matter. He still never looked at me as anything other than an employer, at most a friend. I turned to make my way up the steps, dreading the emptiness of my huge, dark house.

“What should I do with the presents?”

The question halted me in my tracks, and I had to stop myself from wrinkling my nose. Just thinking of all the beautiful packages I’d ripped open, all labeled with my name, unsettled my stomach. I appreciated the thought our friends had put into picking out my gifts, but the idea of dealing with all the new stuff overwhelmed me. I sighed.

“Rhonda?” Concern laced Greg’s voice.

Suddenly the steps seemed impossible to climb as the next week stretched before me, a depressing runway into another year. Just the thought of starting over made tears burn against my eyes. I turned to look at him as I asked, “What are you doing for New Year’s?”

Frowning, he left his post by the car to stand in front of me. “What’s going on, Jellybean? You’re not yourself. Is it the breakup with Kevin, or is something else going on?” One gloved hand reached out, hovering in the space between us, stopping just shy of my arm.

I didn’t pull away, but I didn’t close the distance either as annoyance flashed through me. “I’m tired of people assuming my life ended when my relationship with Kevin did. Or apologizing for it. ‘I’m so sorry to hear about your breakup!’” I rolled my eyes. “There’s nothing to be sorry for. I knew exactly what I was doing then, and I haven’t regretted it for a moment.”

Truth rang through my statement, echoing in the silence between us. Yet my words fell short. I really didn’t regret breaking up with Kevin, but it didn’t change the fact that I was floundering.

My entire life I’d been raised for one job—to marry someone wealthy, and accept my place on that pedestal, visible for everyone’s admiration and scrutiny. The thing about pedestals was they were only built for one. And it was hard to get down on your own.

Greg cleared his throat, looking like he might apologize.

But that was the opposite of what I needed, so I repeated my question, more firmly, “What are you doing for New Year’s?”

He sighed. “I was thinking of going home. It’s been a while, and my sister’s having this big New Year’s wedding…”

My jaw dropped. “Wait. You haven’t said if you’re going to your sister’s wedding yet? It’s only a week away!”

As he always did when he was uncomfortable, he adjusted his hat. “It’s not that simple. I don’t have a date, for one. And if I show up by myself, my family will try to set me up with every single girl there.”

I practically felt him shudder, and my wheels started spinning. “Take me.” The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could think twice.

“What?” His hat nearly flew off his head, the way his eyebrows shot up. He scoffed. “Yeah, right.”

The more I thought about it, the more perfect the idea sounded. “Why not? No one knows me other than your uncle.” I shrugged. “Sure, they’ve probably heard of me, but that just makes you sound better.” My last name carried weight in all the right circles. “No one has to know you’re my driver, unless you want them to. I’ve got nothing going on and I desperately need a change of scenery. Where is this wedding?” Images of warm, tropical places floated through my head.

“Marquette.”

Those two syllables shut down any vacation fantasies I had. “In the middle of winter?” Michigan’s Upper Peninsula was harsh at the best of times, but during the winter it was simply brutal. I frowned. “That’s where you grew up? No wonder you’re so grumpy.”

A noise escaped from him, part snort, part grunt. “So, you don’t want to go?” He folded his arms, staring at me with those unnerving gray eyes.

He was still taller than me, even though I stood on the step above him. “I didn’t say that.” The very thought of spending New Year’s here threatened to send me into a panic.

“Then you want to come?”

This time I didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

“And you’ll go as my date?” Skepticism laced every word.

“Yes.” My stomach flipped at the idea.

A slow smile spread across Greg’s handsome face. “Rhonda Elgin going out with the chauffeur. What are you going to tell your parents?”

His words punctured a hole in the carefully erected barrier I’d placed my fantasies in. There had been a time when not a day went by without me dreaming of that very thing, but I’d ruined my chance of those dreams coming true in one short night.

I swallowed, fighting to keep the tremor out of my voice. “Unless you plan to announce it to them, I doubt they’ll find out. Especially since they’re out of the country.” With a quick glance at the limo, I said, “Could you please put the presents on the dining room table? I’ll sort through them later. Text me the details about the trip.” I started up the steps, then I paused.

Greg was bent over the open trunk.

“And, Greg?”

That handsome head poked around the side.

“I mean it, I actually want details.” Not vague suggestions. I needed actual concrete plans to figure out what I should bring. I waited until he nodded to finish climbing the steps.

Upstairs, I snitched a few jellybeans from the package before changing out of my dress. My shoes came off next as I rummaged for comfy clothes. It was a relief to let my hair down.

Then my phone started pinging. And it didn’t stop. What the hell? I hurried over, wondering what the emergency was.

It was Greg, texting me every possible detail he had, mostly copies of messages from his sister. I trotted downstairs to find him leaning against the counter, behind the tower of presents on the dining room table.

His smirk grew as I scowled. “Was that enough details?”

“You seriously want to leave the day after tomorrow?”

When he shrugged, his uniform jacket bunched up around his waist, and he tugged it down with a sharp motion. “If we’re doing this, we’re all in. I haven’t been home in a while, so it’ll be a big to-do. I’ll be in it for the whole nine yards—the bachelor party, rehearsal dinner, and, of course, the wedding.” He paused. “All or nothing.”

I digested the information, a far cry from the easy getaway I’d imagined.

He arched an eyebrow. “And, as you so politely pointed out, I should let my sister know sooner than later.”

His challenging stare lingered on me, and I felt naked without my formal wear.

He stepped closer, an earnestness coming over him. “Rhonda, I know it’s a lot. And it’s short notice, but once I started thinking about going with you… I really want to. It’ll be great to see everyone again. My sister will die outright of happiness, an Elgin attending her wedding!” His throat bobbed. “This might be overstepping, but I think it’d be good for you to get out of here.”

Silence hung between us as I digested his words, the sincerity of his request taking me aback. He wants me to go? My heart skipped a beat.

“We’re all worried about you, Avery and Derek especially. You’ve lost weight.” He scanned my length, a frown tightening his mouth. “You hardly go anywhere. You don’t talk to anyone.”

Wow, I know Greg and Derek are close, but this is a whole new level. Is that Avery’s doing? Unease sat in me that he was paying such close attention without me even knowing it. I didn’t know what to do with his scrutiny. I swallowed hard, glancing at the floor.

“Come with me.” His tone softened, almost begging me. “My family will love you, and I promise you won’t be bored. What do you say, Jellybean?”

My eyes flicked back to his. When I took in that pleading smile, I simply couldn’t say no.