“Number four.”
“Four what?”
Cody pointed straight up, the simple gesture drawing her gaze to the night sky. Vibrant greens and purples danced overhead. She stared, mesmerized at how alive the moving colors seemed to be. “It’s like someone’s using a paintbrush.” A fluid streak would appear, then disappear, almost as if erased and replaced by new colorful streaks. Everything moved so much faster than she expected. Tears of awe gathered in the corners of her eyes. She’d never seen anything more beautiful. “They’re so much brighter than I expected—soclose.”
“You’re in Alaska now. Better get used to it.”
“Oh, I definitely can.”
“C’mon.” Cody held out his hand for her. “The view’s even better from Lookout Point.”
She slid her icy fingers into his warm hand, threading her fingers through his until they locked together. She never wanted to let go. For tonight, she’d forget that she’d have to. It was easier that way.
She marveled at the rapidly moving lights as she followed his lead down the trail. “Did I tell you I saw Ed today?”
“You’re kidding.”
“Graham and I came out here earlier. Ed surprised us.”
Cody let out a low laugh that made those butterflies wake right up from their slumber. “Go figure.”
“I asked him if he had a message for me, but he didn’t have much to say. He just sort of stared at me and blinked.”
“Yeah, he does that.”
“And the head tilt!” Jenna added excitedly. “He may not be some insightful talking moose, but he totally did the head tilt everyone talks about.”
“I wonder if Jenkins would accept that we’ve both seen him, just nottogether,” Cody mused as they approached the familiar fence. Though the trail started in the lodge’s backyard, Jenna had been reassured it was open to the public. She planned to make many more visits to her new favorite place.
“I was so shocked that I forgot to pull out my phone. Well, honestly, I was backed up against the fence worried that Graham would spook him and we’d all tumble down a cliff when Ed charged. That guy ishuge! Way bigger than I expected.”
When Cody stopped in the clearing, he tugged on her hand to spin her around. She collided against his chest, catching herself with her palm. It wasn’t intentional that her hand slipped through the opening in his jacket and landed flat against his shirt. But she wasn’t complaining about the hard, sculpted muscle she felt through the chilled cotton fabric.
“May I have this dance, Jenna Kingsley?”
“We don’t have any music.” She stepped closer to him. “Wait, don’t tell me you’re going to sing. It would make sense that you have an amazing voice that drives your fan club even crazier about you.”
Cody laughed as he placed her arms around his neck, then dropped his own to her waist. “My singing voice is terrible enough to send the northern lights away. I’m not risking it.” He reached into his jacket pocket for his phone. She expected him to snap a picture, but instead, he turned on a slow song. One she’d heard on the radio during her long drive to Alaska, but not often enough to know its name. She didn’t care. The happy ballad gave her the perfect excuse to tuck herself against him.
Jenna nestled her cheek against his chest, catching a whiff of his woodsy with a hint of aquatic cologne. She inhaled deeply, committing the scent to memory.
Here in Cody’s arms, the world felt right in a way it rarely had. Everything in her life was changing. Everyone who’d been a part of it was gone in one fashion or another—except Graham Cracker. All of it should terrify her, but instead, she felt excited for the unknown. Invincible and fearless to start a new chapter of her life on her own terms. She’d call the shots and never again allow herself to feel unfairly guilty.
If only Cody would stay.
“Hey,” Cody whispered, tracing a finger across her jaw. She didn’t understand how his hands were warm, but she appreciated the way they transferred heat throughout her body so she could stand the chilly night air longer. “We need a picture.”
“Do we?” She’d rather nestle closer against him and keep dancing to the random playlist of ballads.
“The lights won’t stay out forever. They tend to disappear. Some nights they come back for another round or two. Some nights—”
“—they don’t.” She stopped rocking long enough for him to snap a few pictures. Who knew whether they’d turn out. Hopefully they’d satisfy Jenkins. Maybe they’d have to try again.
Cody dropped the phone back in his jacket pocket, the music no longer playing. But he held on to her just the same. “That’s officially number four.”
“Only two more—” A long yawn Jenna couldn’t fight escaped.
“Two left.” Jenna might be imagining the forlorn tone. It was late, and she was sleepy. She wanted to believe he was falling in love with her, too, but the timing couldn’t be any worse.
