“Hey,” I said as I approached.
“Hey,” he echoed, giving me a once-over. “You warm enough?”
I nodded, even though I wasn’t sure I was. Not from the cold, anyway. There was something about the way he was looking at me now—more open than before. Something had shifted between us, and we both knew it.
“Shall we?” he said, holding out a hand to help me into the sleigh.
I placed my gloved hand in his, letting him help me up. He climbed in beside me, and the driver gave a cheerful nod before clicking his tongue and urging the horses forward. The sleigh jolted gently before gliding into motion, the bells on the harness jingling softly as we rode along the snow-covered path.
We sat in silence for a minute, only the sounds of the sleigh and the crunch of snow beneath the horses’ hooves interrupting the quiet.
“I’m glad you stayed,” he said after a while, voice low. “Even if it’s just for the s’mores.”
I smiled. “I do love a good s’more.” I turned to look at him, surprised by the vulnerability in his expression, and said, “I wasn’t sure I’d stay, either. But then…I realized I didn’t want to leave.”
His eyes searched mine. “Me neither.”
Something unspoken passed between us again, deeper this time, a current of possibility and something that felt dangerously close to hope.
“Thanks for not pushing me,” I said softly. “About staying.”
“I didn’t want you to do anything for me,” he replied, his voice low. “But I’m really glad you’re here.”
My heart thudded as he looked at me, his face partially lit by the lantern mounted to the side of the sleigh. His gaze dropped briefly to my lips, and my breath caught.
Holden leaned in just slightly, slow and uncertain, giving me time to pull back.
We were close, so close I could see the gold flecks in his gray eyes, feel the warm puff of his breath in the cold air. His hand brushed against mine beneath the blanket.
But then the sleigh hit a bump, jostling us, and I let out a startled laugh that broke the moment. Holden rocked slightly, steadying himself with one hand on the back of the seat.
“Do you think kissing isn’t allowed on sleigh rides?” I whispered with a teasing grin.
Holden’s eyes sparkled as he leaned in just a bit, his voice low. “If it’s not, I’m absolutely willing to break the rules.”
I laughed, feeling a rush of warmth despite the cold temperature. “Careful. You’re starting to sound like trouble.”
He gave me a lopsided smile. “You don’t seem all that bothered by it.”
“I’m not,” I said softly, and the moment stretched again between us—charged, tender, and full of possibility.
“I’ll remember that.” The mischievous glint in hiseyes sent a thrill through me. This man was wreaking havoc on my nervous system, but I couldn’t say I hated it.
When the ride came to an end, we climbed down from the sleigh, and I immediately missed the cozy warmth beside him.
Several small fire pits crackled nearby, surrounded by a few other guests already roasting marshmallows. A table was set up with graham crackers, chocolate, marshmallows, and long roasting sticks.
“Care to make a wager?” he asked as we approached the table.
My brows lifted. “What kind of wager?”
He picked up a marshmallow and held it between us. “To see who can roast the perfect marshmallow.”
“And what does the winner get?”
“If I win,” he said, picking up another marshmallow and holding it out to me, his gaze smoldering. “Then you’ll be my date to the Mynt to Make a Difference charity ball tomorrow night.”
Oh, sweet peppermint.
