“We never do,” Aster replies with a tinkling giggle. “But you understand why he didn’t tell you. He wanted you to feel it before knowing it was your destiny.”
The thoughtfulness he showed and his selflessness in delaying his own happiness untilIknew it was real has me wanting to hunt the man down right now and show him just whateverythingmeans to me. Because now I know that we both want the same thing, there’s no reason to hold back. It's time for this slow burn to become a raging inferno.
I turn to the woman who should know exactly how I can make that happen–or at least get the ball rolling, so to speak.
“Aster, I need your help.”
The smile she shoots me is as bright as the midday sun. “I thought you’d never ask.”
18
TOBY
I’m standing with all the other competitors from the Holly Jolly Christmas Cup as well as a lot of our friends and family at the annual Christmas Snowflake Festival. We’re waiting for the Sallys and Gandalf to announce which town–and mountain–wins the trophy.
“Did I tell you that I dreamt of you last night?" Lee tells me out of the blue.
My eyes jump to Colt's who laughs at the horror written all over my face. "I'm so sorry, brother. I can't control if your wife-to-be dreams of me."
"Damn, Tobes. Take a breath," he chuckles. "She's a Seer, remember? She dreams of other people all the time."
My brows arch and Lee giggles. "Notthosekinds of dreams. They're just for Colt. But seriously, I was dreamin' about Christmas and Santa andmistletoeof all things."
"OK..." I say slowly, more than a little confused. “Does that mean that Dee is not meant to be my One after all?”
Lee smiles softly. "I don't know what it means, Tobes. But maybe you could use all of the happycheerin the air to try again. You never know what might happen. Moose Mountain can be quite magical when it wants to be."
"Yeah, maybe," I sigh. "I keep tellin’ myself that if it's meant to be, it's meant to be. I know slow burn is a thing but I'm startin’ to think Dee’s never gonna get to the same place I am.”
Leah wraps her arm around my shoulders and rests her head against my arm. “It’ll happen when it’s the right time, Tobes. In the meantime, you could always do what you told your brothers to do and read those romance books for some tips."
I nod. "I’ve done that,” I say, feeling my cheeks heat. "I'm just focusin’ on winnin' that trophy now. The Holly Jolly Christmas Cup is comin’ home to Spring Haven.”
"That's the spirit, Toby," Aster says, walking up to join us. "I do need a favor from you though. Do you think you could help me out, one last time? It’s for a new book I’m writing.”
Curiosity piqued, I follow her toward a kissing booth stall. "Um… whatexactlydo you need help with?” I ask.
“Well, firstly, we’re running a bit short of volunteers, and I was hoping you’d man the fort–so to speak–until I can find someone to take over for you.”
“At thekissin’booth?" I look around the crowd, hoping that no one I know is around. Then again, this could very well be a practical joke being played on me by one or all of my brothers.
"Yeah," Aster says with a wry smile. There's something working behind her eyes that I can't quite get a read on. But Aster hasnever steered any of us wrong and I don't think she's suddenly going to start now.
I raise a brow and cross my arms over my chest. "I don't think I'm the best fit, Aster."
"Oh, come on, Toby. It's for a good cause," she says, giving me a pleading look. "Besides, I'm really stuck on this scene for my book, and I thought a kissing booth could be a perfect location for it. So, you'd be helping me out."
I let out a sigh. How can I say no to that? Besides, it's all for a good cause and it's not like I haven't kissed a girl before. "Fine, but only because it's you that’s askin’."
Aster grins, clapping her hands together. "Thanks so much, Toby. You're a lifesaver. I'll even dedicate the book to you if you want." I laugh and shake my head, taking my position behind the booth.
I'm not exactly sure how this works, but I'm assuming people will come up to the booth and pay for a kiss on the cheek or something. Maybe a forehead kiss, or a back of the hand. Easy, right?
I'm trying to calm my nerves down when I spot Dee walking toward me.
With a curious grin, she stops in front of me. "Hey. I wasn't expectin' to see you here."
"Hey. Yeah, I was roped in to help out a friend."
