“No, you enjoy it.” Harvey blew on his coffee before taking a sip.
I hugged my hot chocolate. “How is it?”
He licked his lips and narrowed his eyes. “Kind of nutty. But good. Like you, maybe.”
“Hey.” I pushed his arm, laughing.
“No, you’re sweet. And smart. And funny. And super pretty,” he said, toasting me. “And yet you ended up on a date with a bitter, black coffee-drinker like me.”
I bumped his elbow. “You’re not as much of a grinch as people might think.”
He raised his eyebrows. “No?”
I hummed, appraising him. “You’re cool. Like Frosty.”
“The snowman?” He gaped.
“What would you prefer? Jack Frost, nipping at my nose?” I teased.
He grinned. “Maybe. Your face is probably less sugary than everything else they’re serving.”
“So, you plan to eat my face?”
His cheeks flushed as his laughter rang out in the field. “I’m notthatbad at kissing.”
I held the tip of my tongue between my teeth. “We’ll see.”
19
Sleigh Ride
The hot cocoa must’ve loosened my lips, because I couldn’t stop talking. Or flirting.
I twirled my hair and nudged Harvey’s arm. “The drive-through light tunnel opens soon. We should head over before the line gets too long.”
He nodded. “Whose car should we take through?”
“We’re going to ride in the sleigh, silly.”
He stopped and stared at me for a beat. “The sleigh. Like with horses and everything?”
“Yes.” What was the point of doing the winter festival if we weren’t going to get into it? I edged closer. “Are you afraid of big animals? Because the ones they use here are usually well-behaved.”
He stroked his eyebrow piercing. “I’m not scared, I’m confused. Other people will be driving through and we’ll be in a horse-drawn sleigh? Won’t that be weird?”
“They stagger the release. Come on.” I tugged his wrist. “Waiting in line is more fun when you still have a hot beverage.”
We followed the string-light-lined paths to the Sparkle Zone and chatted until it was our turn. Harvey tossed our empty cups and helped me into the sleigh.
I pulled the big fuzzy blanket across our laps. “See? Super cozy.”
“Nice view, too,” he said, his gaze set on me instead of the horses’ rear ends, their midsections covered in heavy plaid blankets. He smiled and draped his arm across the back bench.
Was that an invitation? I scooted closer, and he closed the distance by spreading his legs until our thighs touched.
Sparks danced through my veins as the carriage rolled onward. I leaned into Harvey’s side and pulled the blanket higher, trying to enjoy the display rather than watch the colors dance across his face. This waswaydifferent than riding with my friends or family. I marveled at the neon park filled with stars, hearts, and snowflakes, excitedly making commentary the whole way.
Harvey chuckled at my enthusiasm and jerked his chin at a penguin display. “Hey, are those your little friend’s cousins? What’s his name again? Waddles?”
