Stranded for Christmas with my Boss (Forbidden Billionaire Boss Daddies)

21. Alyssa

Chapter twenty-one

Alyssa

“ S he said yes! She actually said yes!”

My voice echoes up and down the hallway as I hurry out of the conference room where some of the marketing team members and myself have been working for the past few hours on last-minute changes to the marketing campaign. It’s the twenty-second of December, which means we’re right against the wire.

That didn’t stop me from pitching an idea that’s a total Hail Mary, and it actually landed! Sort of. Partially.

I slip past other people moving up and down the hallway, excitement and tension lingering in the air as everyone rushes to get their last few assignments and tasks done before the end of tomorrow. Then, Christmas break will finally begin!

Even a few feet away, I can still hear the determined buzz of the marketing team in the conference room as they check analytics and double-check scheduled posts. As fun as all of that can be, I can’t wait to show Jensen what I’ve been waiting for since early this morning.

After a light knock on his doorway, I pop my head into his office, a smile of admiration crossing my lips at the sight of his Christmas tree tie. “Love the tie.”

Jensen chuckles, glancing down. “Oliver dared me.”

“How brave of you,” I say as I approach his desk, unable to hide my excitement.

Jensen lifts an eyebrow at me. “What’s going on?”

I place my phone down on his desk in front of him, one of my freshly painted red nails tapping the screen. “I got in contact with Mila Raine!”

Jensen’s eyes widen. He’s not totally social media savvy, and even he knows Mila Raine. Who doesn’t know the viral lifestyle social media star? She’s been on the news, has multiple deals with huge brands, and even starred as an extra in a huge comedy television show this year. She’s projected to rise even higher, especially with her own perfume and lipstick lines in the works.

“Seriously? How?” Jensen asks me as he looks down at the conversation that I’ve been having with her on Instagram.

“I was checking in with one of the other influencers who signed a contract with us. We got to talking, and I found out that they knew Mila. I took a risk and asked if they could put us in contact with her about a possible deal. Next thing I know, she messaged me!” I tell him as I step behind his desk to stand next to him.

Jensen scrolls through our messages, reading them quietly and intently. “She actually seems interested. Holy shit. The amount of reach she has is incredible. We’re talking millions of people see her posts.”

“Check the bottom message.” My smile brightens as he swipes all the way down.

“I would love to meet with you guys. I know it’s a little short notice, but I’ll be heading up to the Catskills tomorrow. Want to meet there around lunch? It could be a great photo op,” Jensen reads aloud before his eyes snap to mine. “She wants to meet. We have to go convince her to promote Soul Flames.”

“She’s working on a lipstick and perfume line. That would be so easy to tie together with a dating app,” I point out. “I’ll tell her you’ll meet her there.”

“Us. You and me.”

I smile in surprise. The Catskills are really nice. If a meeting can be considered to be luxurious, this is it. “Really?”

Jensen gives me a pointed look as he turns in his chair to face me. “Of course. You’re with me every single time I meet with these influencers. Hell, you’re better at convincing them than I am.”

I shake my head in disagreement, but he’s too stubborn to budge. His compliment means a lot, though. I’ve been doing a lot of work with the marketing department lately, and I’ve learned a lot. Even better, I like what I’m learning.

It looks like what I’m picking up is paying off.

“So, that’s the twenty-third. Our last day of work before the break,” I tell him, directing my focus back to work. This is a great opportunity for us, but pulling off something huge like that right before Christmas break is really coming up on the wire. Any promotion posts made with her would have to be done right after the break and right before the update goes live.

“Right before Christmas Eve,” Jensen murmurs, brushing his fingers through his hair as he leans back in his seat. “I told Holly that I would help her put together one of Oliver’s toys on the twenty-third. We’ll be back by nighttime, though.”

It’s about a two-hour drive from here to the Catskills, so it’ll be around four hours of driving time. I suppose it’s still doable since the meeting won’t last more than a few hours at most. We’ll just be cutting it close on our last day of work.

“We’ll work quickly,” I tell him as I grab my phone to message Mila back, confirming our plans and expressing our excitement. “This could be huge if we’re able to convince her.”

Jensen nods in agreement. “We have a good roster of influencers on board already, but she would really push us far in terms of promotion. You did a hell of a good job putting this in motion.”

His words bring flustered heat to my cheeks as I shrug, not wanting to seem prideful. I’m proud of myself for working hard, but I’m merely one of many. Everyone has been putting in their all to make sure this update has a successful launch.

“I’ve been taking tips from the marketing team.”

Jensen rests his hands on the arms of his chair, a curious look forming on his face. “You like working with them, don’t you?”

An amused smile crosses my lips. “Jealous?”

Jensen chuckles and shrugs. “Just a little. I guess I’ll share since you’re doing such good work over there.”

Heat thrums through me as our eyes meet. The mere thought of being his and him being mine makes my stomach flip. It’s impossible, right?

He would never go for it because a relationship between us could unravel our careers and our reputations. This company means more to him than I do, and I don’t want to get fired from a job that I love.

My mind keeps conjuring fantasies—holding hands, Christmas mornings together—but it’s all so uncertain.

What would it be like to enjoy a cup of coffee or hot chocolate with him on a chilly Christmas morning? To enjoy a warm, bright Christmas dinner with him? I already know my parents would love him.

But that’s getting way too far ahead of myself, right? I can’t expect to see him at Christmas. He has plans with Holly and Oliver, and I have plans with my family. Plus, I don’t even know what we are.

It’s too complicated. Too uncertain.

It’s a nice fantasy, though, and if he wanted to see me on Christmas, I wouldn’t hesitate to invite him over for an amazing dinner with the people I care about the most. He has already become one of them.

“What’s on your mind?” Jensen asks.

“Just thinking about Christmas plans.” It’s not a lie.

Jensen’s face softens a little. “I hope you have a great Christmas.”

His words coil around my heart and squeeze tightly, nearly leaving me breathless. There are so many words that I’m too afraid to speak perched on my tongue.

I care about you. I want to be with you. I’m scared of how strong my feelings are for you and the consequences that’ll come from them.

Will I ever get the courage to say them?

“I hope you have a great Christmas too.”

I’m too nervous to tell him about all the other things that I hope for deep down in my heart, but anything can happen in the days leading up to the holidays. I just have to wait and see if I’m lucky enough to experience a Christmas miracle.