I inhale his scent.It’s wild and woodsy with a sophisticated edge of expensive cologne.I hope the scent lingers on my clothes.
As soon as our Ferris wheel car reaches the platform, I’m clambering out of the seat.The car rocks a little, and Matthias takes my arm to steady me.
“Easy, beautiful.”He ends up helping me out.His big hand rests on my back, and I sigh with how right it feels.
“Thanks,” I murmur.Luckily, Daisy has made herself scarce.I don’t want her here grilling Matthias and me on our ride together.She’s been better about getting involved in my business, but today proves she’s not above contriving situations to make sure I’m alone with my crush.
“Anytime.”Matthias brushes a strand of hair back from my cheek.“When did you change your hair?”
“Um, last week.Missy helped me dye it.”
“It looks beautiful.”His eyes crinkle at me as he smiles, and it’s like the sun is shining on me.
“Maisy!”A cheery voice calls, but I can’t drag my eyes away from Matthias until my best friend runs up to me.
“Dr.Matthias, hey.”Missy tosses her blonde hair over her shoulder.She doesn’t try to flirt, but she doesn’t need to try.She’s effortlessly gorgeous, and years of theater and beauty pageant training means she’s always unconsciously posing for an audience.
“Hello, Missy,” Matthias greets her.I try not to notice how good they look together.The two most beautiful people on Bad Bear Mountain.“I didn’t know you were back in town.”
“I came back for the holidays.”Missy beams.“Hollywood is amazing, but it’s so nice to be home.”She flutters her long eyelashes, as if inviting him to ask about her budding actress career.
“There’s no place like Bad Bear,” Matthias says then switches his attention to gaze down at me.“What did the wave say to the shore?”
It takes me a second to realize he’s telling another dad joke.
“Seayou later.”His deep voice makes the silly joke the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard.I feel like I have a fever, except it feels good.
He’s reminding me of our date.
“Yes, Matthias.”I use his name as instructed.“Text me the details?”
“I will.”His eyes flash with a blue light, and he dips his head towards me.“‘Til then, Maisy.”With a nod to Missy, he leaves.
“Bye,” I whisper, feeling warm and happy inside, like I just drank the best hot chocolate.I can’t believe I have an inside joke with Dr.Matthias.
“Oh my goddess,” Missy turns to me with her eyes wide.“Did you just have a moment with Dr.Matthias?”Her voice is so loud, I feel like everyone can hear.
“Shhh.”I wrap my arm around her and hustle her away to find some privacy.She’ll want to know what just happened, and I need to verbally process.“I’ll tell you everything.Just not in the middle of town.”
“You better,” Missy says, and I can’t help giggling.
I have a date.With Matthias!For once, everything is going my way.
Matthias
I’m going on a date with Maisy.Mymate.
I am so fucked.
I’ve also never been happier.
After I left Winterfest, I texted her to set the date for tomorrow.Sundays the cafe closes early, so she’ll be free.At three pm, we’ll meet at the head of Bad Bear Trail and hike to the overlook.
My bear is so excited, I had to let him out and do laps around the mountain to use up some of the excess energy.I ended up chopping enough wood to fire my wood stove for the next three winters.I hauled some to Ma’s, too.My bear wanted me to drop off a cord at Daisy’s house, but I knew that would lead to him snooping in Maisy’s window.She’s never seen my bear yet, and I don’t want to scare her.
Instead, I settle into my cabin for a rare night off.After a dinner of braised short ribs, mashed cauliflower, and about a pound of sauteed kale, I pour myself a cup of dandelion tea.I’m about to relax into my favorite armchair by the roaring fire when there’s a hard knock on the door.Before I can shout “Go away,” my brothers burst into my space.
Not just Teddy but Darius, too.And Axel.At least they didn’t bring Everest and the triplets.There’s not enough room for all of us in here, especially since Everest insists on remaining in bear form.
