My phone by the darkened lamp lights up, vibrating.
“Is your mom checking to see if I’m behaving?”
I snicker, swiping right on the notification. “Yeah, probably a welfare check, and—” I gasp. “Mom says it’s snowing!”
“Yippee.”
“Don’t you dare spoil my moment, Herd. Didn’t you hear me? It’ssnowing,” I repeat, emphasis added, since clearly, he’s missing the point.
At least I hope it’s snowing here too. I toss the covers and throw my feet over the side of the bed.
“What are you doing?”
“What do you think I’m doing—ow!” The second my foot meets the floor, my injury screamsnot so fast, lady.
“Everly, your ankle!”
“I’m good.” No, I’m fantastic. It’ssnowing.Any other time, I’d have been channeling my inner child all evening, glued to a weather app, watching, hoping. Knox has made for a mighty fine distraction, allowing the wintry event to sneak up on me.
I step-hop to the door and slide the chain.
Giant white flakes float and flutter. They’ve already remade the parking lot into a peaceful winterscape. I squeal, clapping, then brace on the wall and slip my feet into a pair of Knox’s tennis shoes parked near the door.
“Everly Anne.” His call echoes in my wake.
A gust of wind whips giant flakes into a festive dance. Even the sidewalk beneath the awning is unspoiled white. I steady myself on one of the posts, cheeks pleasantly smarting with a grin.Wow. Easily two inches have fallen while we gabbed the night away.
“Hey, you stole my shoes.” Knox rumbles from the doorway.
“Snooze, you lose, mister,” I whisper-yell.Mustn’t disturb the neighbors. I want this wonderland to myself.
And Knox.
Knox and me.
The open parking lot, pristinely frosted, beckons. A first, successful step bolsters my confidence, but my skidding feet nearly take me down on the second. Yelping, I catch myself on the mirror of a black pickup.Right. Ice. Got it.
I spread my arms and walk my hands along the truck and the sedan parked next to it, step-hopping and making giant footprints with Knox’s boat-sized shoes. My fingers are popsicles by the time I stop, clutching the truck’s tailgate. Snow turns liquid and seeps through my flannel sleeve. Flakes pepper my cheeks.
I tilt my face to the inbound blast. This night couldn’t be better.
Behind me, footsteps shuffle the snow. Knox’s arms wind around my waist and pull me against his chest.
I lay my palm atop his clasped hands and close my eyes. Cold snow, Knox’s heartbeat. Sighing, I tip my head to his shoulder, caving into his warmth. His chin brushes my hair.
I let go of the tailgate. His strength cocoons me and holds me upright. The wispy, fluttering flakes become icing on the cake of an idyllic moment.
He brushes snowy hair away from my face and presses his cheek to mine. “You were supposed to wait for me.”
Not the cold, but his gentle grumble at my ear makes me shiver. My heart thuds. “I’m waiting,” I whisper. Waiting for his kiss. Waiting for…him.
Sometimes it feels like an eternity I’ve been on hold for the right man. Am I crazy—or might I have found him at last?
I wriggle around so we’re face to face, flattening my palms on his t-shirt, already spotted where the Knox-sized flakes have succumbed to his warmth. The snow doesn’t stand a chance.
There’s heat in his eyes, too.
My throat jams. I want his kiss desperately, but…Does he really wantyou, Everly, or is he just a guy seizing a moment? You thought Ethan’s interest was sincere.
