Luke’s grin softened into something more serious.“Yeah. But these little tests… they show me I don’t want anyone else by my side. Only you.”
Emma’s heart skipped a beat. The warmth of the room, the gentle snow outside, and the sincerity in Luke’s eyes made everything feel perfect.“Only me?” she asked quietly.
“Only you,” he confirmed, his hand brushing hers in a tender, unspoken promise.
As the evening settled, Emma realized that every challenge, every little interruption, only strengthened the bond they were nurturing. With Luke, even the unexpected moments felt like home.
Chapter 15:
First Kiss in the Snow
A fresh layer of snow covered Ashford when Luke called Emma, his voice excited.“Meet me at the riverside park. You have to see this.”
Curious, Emma bundled up and hurried over. When she arrived, Luke was waiting near the frozen river, a small clearing surrounded by snow-laden trees. The sky was pale, and the world felt hushed, almost magical.
“I cleared a little space,” he said, gesturing to an area where the ice was smooth enough to skate.“Thought we could… try skating together again.”
Emma grinned, her heart fluttering.“I’ll try, but I’m warning you—no holding back your laughter this time.”
They stepped onto the ice, slipping and gliding in playful tandem. Emma clung to Luke’s hand for balance, but soon, their laughter echoed freely across the snowy park.
As they circled the clearing, Luke stopped and pulled her close.“Emma…” he whispered, his eyes soft, filled with warmth.
Emma’s breath caught.“Luke…”
The world seemed to hold its breath with them, the snowflakes falling gently around, the river frozen and still. Luke leaned in, brushing his lips against hers in a gentle, tentative kiss.
Emma responded instinctively, the soft warmth of his lips against hers melting away the last traces of hesitation and doubt.The kiss lingered, slow and tender, surrounded by the magic of the snowy evening.
When they finally pulled back, Luke rested his forehead against hers.“I’ve wanted to do that for so long,” he admitted softly.
Emma smiled, her own heart racing.“Me too.”
They skated together again, this time slower, savoring each other’s presence. The snow, the ice, the crisp winter air—it all felt perfect, a memory they would carry long after the season changed.
That night, as Emma walked home with her cheeks flushed and her heart full, she realized their slow-burn romance had reached a new, unforgettable milestone. And with Luke by her side, she knew this winter was only the beginning.
Chapter 16:
Misread Signals
A few days after their riverside kiss, Emma and Luke planned to meet at their favorite café for a late afternoon study session. Emma arrived first, sipping her tea and sketching in her notebook, when she noticed Luke talking to someone by the counter.
A woman with dark hair and a bright scarf laughed at something Luke said, her hand briefly brushing his arm. Emma froze, a sudden pang of unease creeping in.
“Luke…” she called softly as he turned, smiling at her.
“Emma!” he said, approaching. But she couldn’t ignore the quick glance he had given the other woman, the easy familiarity in their conversation.
“Who was that?” Emma asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Luke blinked, puzzled.“That? Oh, just a classmate from my university days. We ran into each other by chance. Nothing important.”
Emma’s lips pressed into a thin line.“She looked… close. You didn’t mention her before.”
“It’s not like that, Emma,” Luke said gently, sensing her discomfort.“I promise, you’re the only one I care about. I didn’t think to mention her because it wasn’t… relevant.”
Emma nodded, though a small sting lingered.“Okay. I just… I don’t want to feel like I’m competing for your attention.”
