He led her outside, not bothering to lock the cabin door before he turned to her and held out his arms. “Up you get.”
She stared warily, annoyed at the part of her that wanted to fling herself back into them and never let go.
“There’s a car,” she said, gesturing down the road. “Right?”
“Flying’s faster.” He clapped, arms coming out wider. “Come on.”
She sighed and walked up, looping her arms around his neck. He picked her up easily, the cold already much more bearable when she was pressed up against his chest.
Seconds passed. Nothing happened. She looked up at him, cheeks heating when she saw he was watching her.
“What happened to being in a hurry?”
“We still are.” His arms flexed around her, wings poised for flight. “Would you like to take me on a tour after the shoot ends?”
“Oh, would Iliketo,” she said, automatic. “Thanks for giving me this golden opportunity—”
“You can just say no.”
She fixed him with a dubious look. “I refuse to believe you haven’t gotten one yet.”
“I had offers,” he admitted. “I want it to be you.”
He said it so casually. And yet it made her traitorous heart clench.
She opened her mouth to say no. To sayhellno. To say that last night was fun, but she wasn’t about to dig herself deeper into the heartbreak that until a few days ago, she thought she had gotten over. She wasn’t digging this hole any deeper.
“Fine,” she said instead.
He beamed. “Great! I can’t wait to see your argument for how this place is actually worth living in. Something tells me it’s improved over the years.”
“Claw Havenisworth living in,” she snapped. “If you just—”
“Save it for tonight,” he told her and took off.
She yelped, clinging. The icy wind stung her cheeks. She turned her face grudgingly into his mane, ignoring the pleased look on his face.
It didn’t mean anything. Not the risotto or his continuous attempts to string her along.
He’ll be gone by New Year’s,she reminded herself and held him tighter.
* * *
He soared over the town, heading dangerously close to Main Street.
“You can drop me off a block away,” she told him.
He hummed. Pretending to consider it, she realized, and she had to bite her cheek to hold back a laugh.
“Nope,” he said, landing right outside Cozy Grotto Café.
Before Emma could decide whether to double back and pretend she was just coming in, a dozen heads swiveled to look at her through the glass—including but not limited to the camera operators, his glamorous costar, Daisy and Hazel, Luna Musgrove, and extras who had known Emma her whole life and looked far too overjoyed to see her climbing out of her ex’s arms.
Emma smiled tightly. Great.
Arthur held the door open for her. “After you.”
She ignored him, adjusting her handbag and walking in. Some of the camera crew were getting back to work, but everyone who already knew Emma was taking their sweet time looking away. Thankfully Daisy and Hazel were stuck behind the counter talking to the director, but Luna Musgrove made an immediate beeline toward her, looking positively delighted.
