The Boots and Blankets Bonfire is absolutely enchanting.
After meeting Asher by the tables of food and grabbing cups of hot mulled cider, the three of us make our way to the bonfire. We squish together on a log bench, and I sip my drink while Sloane talks about the upcoming school play.
I’m completely zoned out when, across the fire, Cooper walks over with Slug and some guys from our calculus class, his mussed hair, black hoodie, and gray sweatpants glowing orange in the firelight. He throws his head back, laughing at a joke his friend tells, and I can’t tear my eyes away from him.
Cooper puts his hood up and stares into the fire, flames dancing in his eyes behind the black-framed glasses that drive me wild. He grins, and I study the curve of his upper lip and the way his one canine slightly overlaps the tooth next to it. I notice the scar on his left eyebrow, and I take in the way his dimple creates a crater when he bites his bottom lip.
Admiring Cooper Barnett might be my favorite Bramble Falls activity.
As if he can sense me watching him, Cooper’s gaze meets mine. The fire crackles and pops between us, turning wood to ash, and all I can think is,Maybe he did lean in. .. .
“What do you think?” Sloane says to my right. I drag my eyes from Cooper and settle them on my cousin.
“Sorry. About what?”
“We’re going to walk around and see who’s here. You want to come?” she repeats.
“No, that’s okay. It’s freezing out here. I’m going to stay by the fire for a while.”
Asher and Sloane slink off toward the gazebo, leaving me alone on the bench.
I sneak a glance across the fire, but Cooper is gone.
Friction warms my hands as I rub them together, and my breath creates a puff of white in the cold air. A song fromFearlesscomes on, and a bunch of girls cheer.
It seems a Swiftie was in charge of the playlist—another thing Bramble Falls got right tonight.
I’m humming along when someone plops down next to me.
“Hey, partner,” Cooper says, setting a plate of treats on the bench to his left. He pulls my scarf from his front hoodie pocket. “You left this here earlier.” He shifts his body so he’s facing me and gingerly wraps it around my neck. My breath catches as his fingers graze my collarbone.
“Thanks,” I breathe, meeting his amber eyes. I swallow and look away.Pull yourself together, Ellis.“You’ve just been carrying it around all day?”
He shrugs and faces the fire again. “Figured I’d see you at some point. We always seem to be in the same place.” He grabs the plate next to him. “I also brought you treats.”
“Oh, thanks.” I take the plate, intensely aware of Cooper’sthigh and shoulder pressed to mine, despite him having plenty of space on the other end of the bench.
“So, what do you think of all this?” he asks, gesturing widely around us.
“It’s beautiful. Andatmospheric…but also freezing.”
“I know, right?” He leans into me ever so slightly, warming my side with his radiating body heat. When his pinkie accidentally brushes mine, every one of my nerve endings buzzes. “I can’t believe I forgot my blanket.”
A soft breeze rustles the trees and feeds the fire. I try to tuck my head into my scarf.
“You want my hoodie?” Cooper asks.
“You’d freeze to death without it. I’ll be okay but thank you.”
“You gonna eat that?” He nods at the plate he handed to me. It’s full of various desserts—macarons, cookies, brownies, scones, and cupcakes.
“Yeah, but I can share. This is a lot,” I say, holding the plate in front of him.
“No, I’m good. Thanks.”
I grab an orange cookie with chunks of Oreos sticking out of it.
“I haven’t tried this kind yet,” I say.
