Chapter 229

Scarlett’s POV: How did Everett end up here? Didn’t he say he was swamped with work? My heart pounded wildly. I never dreamed Everett would show up… and dressed as Santa Claus, no less. Was he trying to surprise me? Should I play along? I blinked, steadying my nerves. Seeing Everett in that costume stirred a wave of emotion within me. Once upon a time, I never would’ve imagined Everett doing something this crazy for me. Could this notoriously clueless man actually come up with something this romantic? I couldn’t help but doubt it. But regardless, he was here now—and I wanted to see what else he had planned. “Did you come to give me a gift?” Everett nodded silently and set the red sack from his shoulder onto the table. I watched as he untied the bag. He pulled out several gift boxes and placed them on the table. “What are these?” He didn’t speak, merely gestured for me to come closer and open them myself. I looked at him but did as he asked. There were nine gift boxes in total, each var