“They?” Her eyebrow arches.
“You.” I’m grinning now, can’t help it.
But I feel very unsteady inside as her gaze lowers and lands on my mouth.
For once, we both agree as our lips brush together.
Just a touch. Soft. Simple.
I should pull back. What if this is a mistake?
Her breath catches, and I feel her smile against my mouth. Every doubt evaporates.
I’m smiling too—can’t help it, can’t stop it—and we stay there for a moment with our lips skimming, then barely touching, only to meet again and we can’t resist. Both of us grin like fools before breaking into soft laughter.
“This is a bad idea,” she whispers against my lips.
“The worst,” I agree, kissing her again anyway.
After we part, remembering we’re in public, the walk back to our cars is quiet, but the space between us crackles.
“So, maybe we have been playing flirty eye tag after all,” she whispers, still smiling.
“Could very well be,” I say, knowing full well we most certainly have.
We’re both quiet for a moment as if replaying the last months leading up to this.
My breath fogs in the cool night. “I’ve officially compromised my by-the-book reputation.”
“Do you have a manual for off-site, snowy walk smooching?”
My grin only grows. “No, this is a first.”
She says, “I’m worried the whole town is going to know about it.”
“I’m not the kind to kiss and tell and chances are they’re all half asleep after the rowdy town meeting.”
“I’d rather not be the subject of gossip.”
“Then you picked the wrong town, but not the wrong guy to kiss. Should’ve thought of that before you fell into my arms.”
“I, um, felt dizzy.”
“And now?”
She lifts onto her toes. “Steady, sure.” Her lips dust mine again. “Zero regrets.”
“So it was worth it?” I nip at her mouth.
“Definitely.”
I let my lips brush hers once more, gentle and sure, sweet.
“By the way, my middle name is Elizabeth after Grandma Joyce’s mom,” she says, not moving.
A secret part of me smiles at this new information. “Mine is Charles.”
She grips the door handle of her car. “The Fire & Ice Fest is this weekend.”
