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She grabbed my coat, laughing.

“This is becoming embarrassing.”

“I’m going to start charging you for this service.”

“Put it on my tab,” she said, giving me a quick kiss.

We followed the others into the park and spent the next twenty minutes working our way deeper in, dodging kids hauling sleds, dogs tearing through the snow, and New Yorkers who’d decided a snowstorm was an invitation to come outside and play.

Isabella took in the untouched stretches of white lawn, the snow piled along the stone walls, and families building snowmen anywhere they could find enough open ground. Every few minutes, she stopped to point something out or turned to make sure I’d seen it too.

By the time we reached the lake, even I had to admit Central Park had earned its reputation.

Fresh snow covered everything, weighed down the tree branches, and made the paths slick beneath our boots. Bow Bridge curved across the lake ahead, white with snow and half-veiled by the flurries like something painted onto the landscape, while people threw snowballs, posed for pictures, and dragged sleds toward the hills.

Isabella stopped beside me, barely knowing where to look first.

“Oh my gosh, it’s so romantic.”

I smiled. “Aye. This one’s worth stopping for.”

We caught up with the others near the bridge, and for a few minutes everyone managed to behave like civilized adults.

Then Lacey scooped up a handful of snow, packed it between her gloves, and launched it straight at Nik.

It hit him squarely in the chest.

He looked down at the white splatter across his black coat.

Lacey backed away, laughing. “Oops.”

That was the end of peace.

Within seconds, everyone was grabbing snow. Nat fought dirty, Jae complained loudly whenever anyone hit his hair, Scarlett and Lacey formed an alliance that lasted roughly thirty seconds, and Lucian became far too competitive for a grown man.

Isabella crouched beside me and tried to scoop up a handful.

The snow fell apart between her mittens.

“How do you make it stay together?”

I stepped behind her and covered her mittened hands with mine.

“Pack it tight like this.”

I guided her hands together, turning the loose snow until it formed a solid ball between her palms.

“There. Now pick someone you don’t mind offending.”

She looked across the park.

Lucian was laughing at something Scarlett said.

Perfect.

Isabella threw.

The snowball caught him high on the shoulder.