Page 30 of When It Snows

It’s a fun night. There are prizes for the best costume, a secret gift exchange – assuming you can smuggle a gift in – dancing, and lots and lots of moonshine.

I can’t wait to find out what outfit Scarlett is wearing. I bet she’s sexy as hell in a flapper dress. Those dresses can’t hide her curves. Curves I long to touch again. Curves I want sleeping in my bed every night.

I straighten the tie of my bootlegger costume. “I prefer the word dashing.”

My sister, Sophia, groans. “Of course, you think you’re dashing.”

I spin in a circle to show off my outfit. “Aren’t I?”

“Personally, I think Flynn is the dashing one.” She stares up at my best friend with hearts in her eyes.

I swallow my growl. I can’t complain about my little sister and my best friend hooking up since I helped get them together. Without my assistance, they would have danced around each other for centuries. But all I want is for the two of them to be happy. The dancing around needed to end. So, I made sure it did.

Flynn smiles at Sophia. “And you’re the most beautiful flapper in the history of flappers.”

And now I’m done. I feign gagging. “Enough with the lovey-dovey stuff. I accept your relationship, but there’s no need to flaunt it in my face.”

“Don’t you want to fall in love, big brother?” Sophia asks.

A vision of a woman with long dark brown hair, light green eyes, and pink, pouty lips flashes in my mind. Scarlett is smart and fun and witty and sexy as hell, but love? I’ve only known her for a few days. It can’t be love.

“Nah,” I say. “Love isn’t for me. I’m a lone wolf.”

“Even after this weekend?” Flynn asks.

There’s no longer any need to wonder if the island gossipmongers found out I was stuck at Scarlett’s cabin for a few days.

I glare at him. “I thought you didn’t listen to gossip.”

He waggles his eyebrows. “Is it gossip if it’s true?”

“I’m not enjoying this new side of you.” I’m lying. I’m happy for my best friend. After his mom died and his dad abandoned him, I became his only family. But now he has my sister and the rest of my family.

“You’re stuck with me,bro.”He emphasizes the bro to remind me we’ll always be brothers no matter what.

Dad strolls into the living room wearing a costume similar to mine. White shirt, black vest, black tie, a pocket watch, and flat cap.

“Oh my.” Mom fans herself. “Someone is looking mighty handsome.”

Dad wraps an arm around her waist and hauls her near. “All for my beautiful bride.”

He melds his lips to Mom’s and Sophia gags. “Gross. No. No making out in front of your impressionable children.”

I chuckle. “If you think this is making out, Flynn is doing things wrong.”

Dad ends the kiss and tucks Mom into his side. “Who’s ready for the Smuggler’s Holiday Masquerade Dance?”

“I’m ready to dazzle the women with my charm.”

My stomach heaves at my words. I don’t want to dazzle any women with my charms. Correction. There’s only one woman I want to dazzle with my charms. Scarlett.

Sophia elbows me as she passes. “Don’t be an asshole.”

“She’s not wrong,” Flynn agrees as he hurries after her.

Mom pats my arm. “I’m always here if you want to talk.”

I start after her but Dad throws an arm around my shoulders to slow me down. “Walk with me, son.”

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