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“While you were packing,” he said.

Reece shook his head, smiling as he looked at her. “We should’ve known they thought of everything.”

They stopped at a small kiosk, and while their parents moved ahead, Reece ordered two peppermint cocoas. Then, on impulse, he grabbed a Lakeview Harbor scarf and gently wrapped it around her.

“Can’t have you freezing,” he murmured, his hands lingering just a bit longer as he adjusted it.

She tilted her head slightly, her eyes meeting his. “Mmm… very thoughtful of you.”

“Always,” he said quietly.

Her lips curved before she leaned in and kissed him. It was soft and lingering and just enough to make him forget the cold entirely.

“Come on,” she said, her voice warm with promise. “Let’s enjoy the lights… so we can get back to our room and exchange gifts.”

Reece smiled, threading his fingers through hers again as they followed after their families.

“Best plan I’ve heard all night.”

twelve

After a quick detour to their parents’ rooms to pick up each other’s gifts, they could finally head to theirs. Alesha stepped into the room ahead of him, the door clicking shut behind them. She slipped off her coat and draped it over the back of a chair, smoothing her hands down the front of her sweater more out of nerves than anything else.

“So…” She glanced back at him with a small smile. “Gifts?”

Reece huffed out a soft laugh, like he felt just as off-balance as she did. “Yeah. Gifts.”

He moved toward the tree where he had just placed the presents and picked up a small box. He waited for her to sit down before handing it to her. “This is for you.”

Her stomach did a little flip as she took it, her fingers brushing his. “You really didn’t have to…”

“I wanted to,” he said, and something in his tone made her look up at him.

There was no teasing there, no big grin, just… sincerity.

Her chest tightened as she looked back down and carefully unwrapped the paper. When she opened the box, her breath caught. “Reece…”

“It’s nothing crazy,” he said quickly. “I just…I saw it and thought of you.”

Nothing crazy.

Right.

Because a delicate crystal snowflake necklace nestled in a velvet-lined jewelry box was definitely nothing.

“It’s beautiful,” she said softly, lifting it from the box. “Will you…?” She didn’t even finish the sentence before standing and turning to gather her hair over one shoulder. His fingers brushed her skin as he settled the necklace into place and fastened the clasp. Her breath hitched despite herself as they lingered, his fingers grazing lightly along the back of her neck before dropping away.

She swallowed, trying to steady herself as she turned back to face him. The necklace rested just below her collarbone, close to her heart. Her fingers lifted to touch it, almost without thinking. “It’s beautiful,” she repeated, softer this time. “I love it. Thank you.”

“I knew it would look good on you,” he said, his voice lower now.

Alesha knew that every time she wore it, she’d think of this moment.

Clearing her throat, she forced herself to step back before she did something reckless like close the distance between them again. “Okay,” she said, injecting a little brightness into her tone. “My turn.”

Moving over to the tree, she picked up the gift she’d debated about more than she cared to admit—whether it was too much or too personal—but it had felt right.

“This one’s… nothing fancy, either,” she said, handing it to him. “Just something I thought you’d like.”