“What if…”
“No ‘what ifs’. Just enjoy the moment. But the way he looks at you? He could be a keeper.”
“What do you mean, looks at me?”
“Girl, you’re his sun and moon. Don’t overthink it. Just enjoy.”
I take another glance in Nico’s direction and decide she’s right. This is for me. I’m going to enjoy it as long as it lasts.
The candy shop drops off the new order and Sall helps me package everything once the tree is finished.
A little while later Nico strolls in. “Agápi mou, we only have the gifts to wrap now, yes?”
“Yes.”
“And the last additional shipment comes tomorrow?”
“That’s what the confirmation notice said.”
“I need to run up to the lodge, I thought we could see if Ed had some shirts ready. You can talk to the gift shop manager while I have my meeting, then we get dinner. I’ve been curious about their new chef.”
“We have all the gifts to wrap.”
“Chad is going to drum up some extra help for tomorrow. We’ll be fine.”
My phone vibrates in my pocket. The third time in the last thirty minutes. I don’t even look. I’m sure it’s my mother.
“I’d love to go. I’ll call Ed and ask him to have samples ready. But we aren’t exactly dressed for the lodge.”
“Omorfiá mou,you’re perfect. Trust me.”
“Go, go. Have fun,” Sall says practically pushing me out the door. “I’ll lock up.”
Nico helps me into the truck and immediately laces his fingers with mine. I don’t feel the need to fill the silence with him. No awkwardness between us. Just calm.
He breaks the silence as we pull into the lodge parking area. “I’m meeting with the lodge general manager about the ski instructor position. I can’t start until my current season is overat the end of March, but they could announce a new instructor arriving next year which would let them start booking.”
“Withyourname, they’d be full in a week,” I laugh.
“Maybe, but it would also give the town time to advertise on their behalf as well. The lodge and town council should be working together. You said it yourself, if the town dies, then so goes the lodge with it. No reason to visit if there’s nothing to do.”
“I haven’t been to the lodge in a couple years. Still beautiful, but the parking lot is sadly empty for the holiday.”
“I noticed. I’ve trained here before. And honestly? I think it goes back to what you said about your mayor.”
He parks and insists I wait while he comes around. His hands span my waist he lifts me down, and then he kisses me—slow and sure. I wrap my arms around his neck, kissing him back.
Touching, being touched isn’t exactly normal behavior in my family. I don’t want to stop. Ever.
“Mmm, I needed that all day,” he murmurs.
“Me, too.”
He sets me down, takes my hand, and we walk inside. A tall, older blond man meets us.
“Sven,” Nico says, offering his hand.
“Vasi,” the man replies warmly. “Didn’t know you were in the area. Thought you were down in the Caribbean for the holidays.”
