STUCK WITH MR. BILLIONAIRE FOR CHRISTMAS novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25

CINNAMON:

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I set three rules for myself Sunday morning. One: Don’t touch Dante unless absolutely necessary. Two: Keep answers neutral. Professional. Nothing that could be mistaken for warm. Three: Don’t meet his eyes for longer than it takes to nod.

Simple rules. Easy to follow. Except nothing about sitting next to him in a church pew feels simple.

The building is small, wood-paneled, smelling faintly of lemon polish and old hymnals. Sunlight filters through stained. glass windows, casting colored patterns across the worn floor. Mrs. Hartley sits in the front row, spine straight, surveying the congregation like a general inspecting troops.

Dante shifts beside me, tugging at his collar. I don’t look at him or ask if he’s okay. Not my problem anymore.

The service drags. Pastor Mitchell’s voice drones about forgiveness and second chances, words that land like stones in my chest. I keep my gaze forward, hands folded in my lap, face arranged into something that hopefully resembles peaceful contemplation instead of barely suppressed rage.

When we finally stand for the closing hymn, Dante’s hand finds the small of

my

back.

I step sideways. Just enough that his hand falls away.

He doesn’t try again.

After the service, Mrs. Hartley descends on us with three older men in tow. They look worn by years of work, hands rough with calluses and backs bent by age. Their suits are simple, neat, and carefully worn.

“Cinnamon, Dante, I’d like you to meet Robert Sail, William Deluca, and Thomas Lee.” Mrs. Hartley’s smile is expectant. “They own some of the most strategically positioned properties in Meadowbrook.”

I shake hands, smile, say all the right things.

Dante becomes a different person.

The discomfort from the service vanishes, replaced by his CEO attitude. He leans in when they speak, asks thoughtful questions about their families, their histories with the land.

“We’re not just buying property,” he says, his voice warm, making me wonder if he’s being sincere. “We’re investing in Meadowbrook’s future. Jobs. Infrastructure. Opportunities for the next generation to stay instead of leaving for the cities.”

Robert nods slowly. “That’s what we want to hear. Too many young people leave because there’s nothing for them here.”

“Exactly.” Dante’s hand settles on my waist, pulling me closer. I go rigid but force my face to stay pleasant. “We want to change that. Create something sustainable that honors what you’ve built while giving your children and grandchildren reasons to come home.”

The promises are beautiful. Ambiguous enough to mean everything and nothing.

And they’re eating it up.

William claps Dante on the shoulder. “You’ve won us over already, son. Stop worrying about the business side and focus on spending time with this lovely young lady.”

Dante laughs, the sound easy and genuine. “I’d love nothing more. Unfortunately, the company gave us a hard deadline. All signatures and compensation finalized by New Year’s at the latest”

“That soon?” Thomas frowns.

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09:54 Sat, Feb 28

Chapter 25

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“I know it’s tight. But we want to start construction early spring. Get ahead of the season.”

Mrs. Hartley steps in smoothly. “If that’s the case, we’ll make Monday’s meeting count. Jensen will have all the necessary documents ready. We can start the formal process then.” She looks between the men. “There are other companies bidding. but I’m confident this will work in everyone’s favor. Once we all gree, we can finish this and move forward.”

Monday.

The word lights something bright and desperate in my chest.

*If this moves fast, I’m free of him sooner,* I celebrate.

Free to quit and leave Meadowbrook, never seeing Dante Morett’s face again.

I thank them, keeping my voice humble. “We really appreciate you trusting us. You’re making our work so much easier.”

Robert’s expression softens. “Of course, sweetheart. You’re our daughter. We know you’ll only bring what’s best for us.”

The word carried heavy expectation and guilt. How could I be their daughter when I had been dubious just to get what they had? I didn’t deserve their love or their claim.

Dante leans close, his breath warm against my ear. “You did well

I turn my head slightly, meeting his eyes for exactly two seconds. “Just doing my job,” I mumble back, loud enough for him. to hear while maintaining a wide smile for the others.

He doesn’t seem pleased. His attitude shifts, the smirk on his face disappearing.

Behind us, two women whisper loudly enough to hear as they walk past.

“Do you think she can handle it? Her ex-fiancé is in town?”

“I hope she’s stronger than she was two years ago.”

“I don’t think so. Someone said she had a run-in with him at the own square, and it was such a scene.”

I keep smiling and nodding, pretending their words don’t get to me.

Mrs. Hartley touches my arm. “Do you two have plans for the rest of the day?”

I seize the opportunity. “No. We’re free all afternoon.”

“Perfect.” Her eyes gleam. “We’re distributing relief packages to the west side due to the damage the blizzard from yesterday caused. Could use extra hands.”

Dante opens his mouth. “Actually, I have some calls to-”

“It can wait.” I cut him off, my smile still fixed in place.

His eyes narrow.

I don’t care. Anything to avoid being alone with him in that cabin. Anything to fill the hours until Monday.

“We’d be happy to help,” I say.

Dante’s expression goes carefully blank. “Of course.”

Mrs. Hartley directs us to the supply area, assigning which items need to be moved to the delivery trucks heading out.

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09:54 Sat, Feb 28

Chapter 25

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