One Big Apple Christmas: Big Apple Blessings

By Laurie Larsen

Just in time for the holidays, a heartwarming story about love in the Big Apple.

 

Tony White has soared to professional heights as an advertising executive at a major New York agency, but his love life is far from a success. Having been dumped by his girlfriend weeks before Christmas, Tony has little to look forward to in this season of good cheer.

 

His luck begins to change when he meets talented and ambitious Joss McGee, who is hoping to secure a position within the world-famous Radio City Music Hall Rockettes. She's sacrificed nearly everything to pursue her goal, and romance is a complication she simply doesn't have time for.

 

In the midst of his stressful world, Tony discovers that success can mean helping someone else achieve their goal. And as much as Joss wants to be a star, that pinnacle holds little meaning unless you have someone to share it with.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random Moon Books
• Release date: Sep 29, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201863968

Laurie Larsen

Laurie Larsen is a multi-award winning author of inspirational romance and womens fiction.  Fans love her books for their heartwarming storylines and life-changing message of God's love.  Her stories mostly take place in her very favorite place in the world -- coastal South Carolina's beautiful Lowcountry. Laurie lives at the beach with her husband Norm and her feisty rescue dog Weezer, where, when she's not writing, she loves walking the beach, reading, traveling and pampering her adorable first grandchild!

Book preview

The holidays can be stressful, especially for New York advertising exec Tony White, who just got dumped. Will his Christmas be as dismal as he expects, or will wannabe Rockette Joss McGee dance her way into his heart?

One Big Apple Christmas

I didn't want to do it this way.

Her words broke through the haze of his incessant multi-tasking and quieted his movements.  As usual, he’d been talking to Melinda while he was also responding to this morning’s email from his latest big shark client.  She’d been doing most of the talking, so as long as he responded with an mm hmm at the appropriate times, his 100% attention was not required.

At least that’s what he thought, until he heard those words.  Those words dragged his attention away from his work.

Focusing on the phone propped to his ear with a shoulder, he asked, Do what, babe? 

Her exasperated sigh filled his ear. 

The glow of the computer screen on his desk distracted him. He switched it off.  The attraction of his client's new advertising campaign papers sitting face-up on his desk was too strong, so he flipped them over, only blank white pages now.  I'm sorry, Melinda.  I'm all yours now.

Her tired chortle held an ironic tone.  What a coincidence.

Tony drew a hand over his eyes.  You know it's rough when you call me at work.  I'm ADD to the hilt.  But you've got my full attention now.  He waited.  Go ahead.

Another exhale came over the phone line.  I can't do it anymore, Tony.

A sliver of apprehension permeated his heart.  What had he missed while he was sidetracked?  Do what, baby?

A pause.  This.  Us.  You and me.

He shook his head, dislodging the phone from its perch.  He grabbed it before it clattered to his desk and lowered his voice, eyeing his open office door.  You're breaking up with me? 

She made a small gasp, and he could tell tears were on their way.  Dang. 

We've had a lot of fun, and you're a great guy, but we just want different things in life.

He laid his head back against the chair, his eyes searching the ceiling.  How many breakups involved that tired old line?  Weren't all the memories they'd shared worth something?

We're at different stages, she continued 

No, no.  He interrupted, You tell me what to do, Melinda, and I'll do it.  Seriously.  You think I don't know my faults?  I'm stubborn, I don't always listen, I can be a smart-alec. 

She started to interject but he kept going, on a roll now.  He could get through to her and change her mind, he knew he could.  But I can work on those things.  And be honest, some of those things are actually what you love most about me, right?  He waited for a response, but she was into full-fledged tears and nose sniffs now.  His voice took on a pleading tone, much to his dismay.  Baby, come on, now.  Eight months.  You want to throw eight months away?

She drew a ragged breath.  I don't, but I think it's the best thing. 

Jealousy pierced his temple with a sharp throb.  Is there another guy?  Have you met someone else?  He tried to control his voice, keeping it as even as possible.

She sighed in frustration.  No.  But at my age, I can't waste time.  You and I want different things in life.  You've already had your family.  I haven't.  And you don't want to start over, do you?

He hesitated, thinking of his teenage son and daughter in Connecticut, living happily with their mother, their long visits with him every summer, their short visits every month.  Of course, he didn't want