“Yes,” she said softly.“It’s… perfect.”
Jack glanced at the lake, then back at her.“You should see it at sunset. The sky turns this incredible shade of pink and gold. Hard to believe a place this small can feel so… magical.”
Emily laughed lightly, brushing a strand of hair from her face.“You make it sound like a painting.”
“Maybe it is,” Jack replied, his tone teasing.“Or maybe it’s just better when you’re not looking at it alone.”
Emily felt her cheeks warm. Before she could respond, a sudden gust of wind swept across the balcony, carrying snowflakes that settled on their shoulders. Emily squealed, laughing as Jack flinched and tried to shield her.
“Hey! Watch it!” she giggled, shaking off the snow.
Jack grinned, scooping up a handful of snow and gently tossing it at her. Emily shrieked in surprise, retaliating with her own snowball. Soon they were laughing, dodging and tossing snow at each other, the winter chill forgotten as they played like children.
Finally, they paused, breathless and laughing, faces glowing from the cold and exertion. Emily leaned against the balcony railing, her chest still heaving, and Jack stood close, his warmth radiating toward her.
“You’re competitive,” he said with a mock-serious tone, brushing snow off his coat.
“And you started it,” Emily shot back, smiling.
Jack’s gaze softened.“I don’t usually do this,” he murmured,“but I’m glad I did it with you.”
Emily’s heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t expected to feel such a pull — this combination of fun, comfort, and something undeniably electric — on her very first afternoon in Willow Lake.
As the sun dipped lower, casting a golden glow over the frozen lake, Emily realized something she hadn’t anticipated: this winter getaway was already becoming unforgettable, and Jack Harrison was at the very center of it.
Chapter 3:
Cocoa and Confessions
The morning after her playful snowball fight, Emily bundled up in her warmest scarf and coat and stepped out into the town’s quaint streets. Willow Lake was quiet, the holiday decorations twinkling on every lamp post, shop window, and rooftop. She could hear the crunch of snow under her boots, and the faint scent of pine and cinnamon filled the air.
“Good morning, Emily!” Jack’s voice called from across the street. She looked up to see him leaning against the doorway of the inn, holding two steaming mugs of cocoa.
“You didn’t have to—” Emily began, but Jack was already striding toward her, the warm chocolate drinks in hand.
“I insist,” he said with a grin, handing her a mug.“Trust me, you’ll need this after yesterday.”
Emily took a careful sip, the rich chocolate warming her from the inside out.“This is amazing,” she said, her eyes meeting his.
Jack chuckled.“I make a mean cocoa. You’ll have to let me prove it again sometime.”
They wandered together through the snowy streets, stopping to peek into shop windows filled with holiday decorations, handmade crafts, and tiny trinkets. Emily couldn’t help but notice how naturally Jack fit into Willow Lake — the way he greeted shopkeepers, the ease in his movements, and the subtle charm that seemed to make everyone smile.
At a small bookshop, Jack paused, holding the door open for her.“Go on,” he said.“I’ll wait out here.”
Emily stepped inside, browsing through the cozy, cluttered aisles. She picked up a book on local history, flipping through the pages. When she turned, she saw Jack watching her, his gaze soft and attentive.
“You look happy,” he said quietly when she returned to him outside.
“I am,” Emily admitted.“This place… it feels like it’s frozen in time. Peaceful. Simple. And I didn’t expect… this.” Her voice trailed off, but the meaning was clear.
Jack smiled, brushing a lock of hair from her face.“I’m glad you’re here, Emily. I like seeing you like this — relaxed, smiling.”
For a moment, the world around them seemed to pause: the falling snow, the distant chime of the town clock, the faint hum of holiday music. Emily felt a warmth spread through her chest that had nothing to do with the cocoa in her hands.
Jack’s hand brushed hers. It lingered, just for a second, but that second was enough. Emily’s heart skipped, and she realized that Willow Lake was giving her something more than quiet and beauty — it was giving her Jack Harrison.
Chapter 4:
