So much for work first. Em second.
She’s right at the front of the rope, eyes wide, face bright from the reflected heat.
And God help me… I feel my heart crack open completely.
I’m screwed.
Head over heels. Madly and truly in love with Emmy Alder.
A fact that I’ve known, deep down, for far too long.
Last night didn’t scratch the surface of whatever’s happening between us.
And I want more.
All of it.
Without hesitation.
Fuck. She damn well better feel the same.
The second I know everything is handled, my gaze goes right back to her.
Emmy catches me staring.
Of course she does.
She walks along the rope line toward where I’m standing, boots sinking into the snow-covered ground, coat pulled tight around her. When she reaches me, she dips her head a little, that sweet grin curving her lips.
She glances toward the fire, then back at me. “You guys make this look easy.”
“We train for it,” I say, stepping just a little too close. “But the crowd makes it interesting.”
“Oh, I imagine.” Her eyes glint with mischief. “Especially when a certain firefighter keeps staring at one particular person.”
“What can I say? You’re the best kind of distraction.”
Her breath catches. It’s quiet, but I hear it. Feel it.
Before I can say anything else, her attention flicks over my shoulder. “Ohhh. Look.”
I follow her gaze across the park and land on Cade Murphy and Stella McKinley.
Standing way too close, faces way too soft. He’s looking at her like she’s the only person on earth. I know that look all too well.
“Well, I’ll be damned.”
Emmy lets out a soft huff of a laugh. “I guess we’re not the only new couple in Mistletoe Bay.”
I angle a look down at her. “We’re a couple now?”
She jolts, eyes widening like the words just slipped out before she could stop them. Then her blush climbs high, blooming across her cheeks.
“I didn’t mean—well, I didn’t not mean it, I just—” She groans, burying her face in her hands. “Ignore me.”
I gently tug her hands down so she has to look at me. “Emmy.”
Her eyes lift, cautious and curious all at once.
