Page 95 of Falling Like Snow

And when I get to the fountain, I close my eyes and light my candle with the intention of letting these unwanted feelings for my best friend go.

Because they can’t lead to anything good.

Micah: we still on for the snow ball tomorrow night?

Me: of course.

Micah: don’t of course me. you didn’t text me at all yesterday. AND you’ve blown me off three times.

Me: I was busy helping my mom set up for the dance yesterday! And I have NOT blown you off 3 times. Just the night I had unexpected plans with Asher.

Micah: you didn’t call me afterward. That counts as a blowoff.

Me: Not sure I agree, but fine. And the third time?

Micah: My hockey game.

Me: That definitely doesn’t count. Not only was the winter solstice event planned before I knew you, but as the mayor’s daughter, I have to prioritize town events.

Me: Maybe you should have skipped your game and come to the inn instead.

Micah: I should have. I have regrets.

Micah: We’ll have to make up for all these missed opportunities tomorrow

Chapter Twenty-Six

Ellis and Cooper, Asher and Daphne, and Micah all meet at my house to take photos before the Snow Ball. Even though we get dance photos taken every fall for homecoming, Mom always declares that the Christmas Eve Snow Ball requires its own set of photographs. And even more so this year because it’s the first year Asher and I are going with real dates. Plus, Ellis has crafted me the most spectacular blue organza ball gown, with a strapless neckline that highlights my shoulders and collarbones, especially with my dramatic curly updo. The layers of fabric make it voluminous and flowy, and the shimmering beading on the bodice is so elegant, I feel like I stepped out of a fairy tale.

“You look like a princess,” Micah says, standing behind me as we pose for my mom.

“Thank you very much. You look like a prince—a very laid-back prince,” I say, making him laugh. Micah showed up in a black suit jacket and pants, the top two buttons of his white dress shirt undone and his tie loose around his neck. Somehow he pulls off the whole lazy look. Then again, he can probably pull off any look.

But my eyes keep wandering to Asher, who opted to go all out and wear a slim-fitted tuxedo, complete with a vest and bow tie that match Daphne’s silky teal dress. He looks like a prince.

We’re posing for our parents when Hannah, Preeti, Chloe, Jake, and Slug show up and join us for whole-group photos.

“No Fern?” Jake asks Ellis as she straightens her glittery pink mermaid dress.

“I thought she was—”

“Sorry!” Fern suddenly shouts as she comes barging into the house wearing a white winter coat thrown over a hunter-green satin gown. Her hair is half up, with curly red strands framing her face, and she’s carrying strappy silver heels. She toes off a pair of salt-stained black boots as she gasps for air. “Sorry I’m late.”

“Did you jog all the way here?” Ellis asked. “What happened to getting a ride with Jake?”

One glance at Jake tells me he was completely unaware of this plan.

“I only said that because I wasn’t ready and didn’t want to make you late, too,” Fern says. “It’s fine. I got here before you left for town hall, didn’t I?”

“I would have swung by and picked you up,” Jake tells her.

“Thanks, but I made it,” Fern says, slipping her foot into her shoe, still avoiding looking at him.

My gaze finds Asher’s. He raises his eyebrows at me and gives Jake and Fern a sidelong glance, silently communicating that he’s thinking the exact same thing I am—that our nosy asses are dying to know what’s happening there, but now is not the time to ask.

“All right, well, one picture of everyone together now that Fern’s here?” I ask.

We all pose for one last photo, and I snap a few shots of all the parents dressed in their gowns; then the twelve of us split up to ride to town hall, with Ellis, Cooper, Slug, Chloe, Fern, and Preeti piling into Jake’s SUV, and Daphne, Micah, Hannah, and me all climbing into Asher’s car.