Page 20 of The Christmas List

But after the kiss that night at the rink, she shut down, pulled away, and skated away so fast that I was worried she would trip. So honestly, I have no idea where her head is at or where things stand between us.

All I know is that I want her. Truly, despite all the years apart, I’ve never stopped wanting her.

That kiss only solidified what, deep down, I already knew: Josie’smine.She always has been. And if I have anything to do with it, she always will be.

Maybe she doesn’t realize that yet or is too scared to admit it, but I’m going to do everything I can to prove to her that taking a second chance with me is worth it. There’s no damn way that she doesn’t feel the chemistry we have when we’re together. It’s even stronger now that we’re no longer fumbling teenagers. And I know that I can’t be the only one that feels this way.

I texted her earlier and asked if she wanted me to pick her up for tonight’s task, but she thanked me and said that her brother offered to drop her off on the way to town. I know her well enough to know this is her way of creating distance between us.

Except that’s the problem. All the time that’s passed, all the miles and distance between us… still hasn’t changed how it feels when we’re together.

If anything, now it makes it feel like there’s a magnetic pull drawing us closer.

I slam the door of my truck after parking in the lot outside of Strawberry Falls. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it this packed before; nearly every spot is filled. I scan the parking lot for Josie, but I don’t see her yet, so I put the towel under my arm and lock my truck before making my way down to the falls.

It’s not quite dark yet, but the sun has begun to set, dusk settling over the sky. And with the sun going down, so has the temperature.

It’s cold as shit out here. Why the hell are we doing a polar plunge at the coldest part of the day? My balls are shriveling just thinking about it.

On my walk down to the falls, a few guys from high school stop me for small talk, but I keep it short, my mind only on finding Josie.

Finally, I spot her talking to a friend we grew up with, Quinn Grant, a wide smile on her face.

I take a second to drink Josie in without her noticing. She’s got on a fluffy red beanie, which covers her dark curls, and a big puffy jacket paired with black yoga pants that are fitted to her petite frame, tightly hugging the globes of her ass.

I can’t help staring. She’s so goddamn perfect it makes it hard to breathe.

How the hell did I ever walk away from her? Why didn’t I try to keep her, no matter how hard it was going to be? And how the hell did I let all these years pass without trying to get her back?

Quinn leaves, so I cross the packed clearing toward the massive tent that’s being used to ward off some of the cold pre-jump. When Josie finally spots me, her eyes widen slightly, and I smirk.

“W-Wyatt.”

“Josie,” I say, coming to a stop in front of her, my smirk widening into a full-blown smile when her pillowy lips part and a stuttering breath comes out. “You ready to do this?”

“Honestly? Not at all. I can think of about a hundred other things I’d rather be doing than jumping into that freezing water.”

“Luce wasn’t happy that she had to stay with Grams and Papa and miss all the fun. Then I reminded her how much she hates taking a bath, and she had nothing to say to that.” I laugh. Tonight’s task is an adult-only one, which seems smart because there was no way in hell I was letting my daughter jump into this cold-ass water. Josie’s breath hitches as I step closer and grab her hand, dragging the pad of my thumb over the top of her knuckles in a languid sweep. “Don’t worry, honey. I’ll make sure to warm you up when it’s over.”

Fuck, I love the way her cheeks flush, turning the most delicious shade of pink. I want to see that flush travel the length of her body after I make her come.

“Alright, folks! The time has come,” Mayor Davis says, voice raised over the chatter of the crowd.

Beneath his thick jacket, he’s got on a pair of bright red swimming trunks that are made to look like Santa’s suit, along with a matching shirt and hat, and I just shake my head because only this guy could pull off something so ridiculous and look like he was made to wear it.

“Tonight’s list task is the annual Jingle Jump, which, as many of you already know, is Strawberry Hollow’s polar plunge. Brrrr. Hence, the reason why we’re at Strawberry Falls tonight.” He chortles, tossing the crowd a wink. “This task is a simple one. You take a dip in the water when the air horn sounds, and then you can run back out. That’s it. You’ll be able to mark this task off your list and secure the points needed to move forward.”

Sounds simple, but there’s nothing simple about jumping into water that’s got ice floating in it. Fuck, we’re going to freeze.

But I’m pretty sure my daughter will never forgive me if I don’t mark this off the competition list.

“Good luck!”

I glance at Josie, who’s chewing the corner of her lip until it looks as if it’ll bruise.

Reaching out, I drag my thumb gently along her bottom lip, pulling it from her teeth. “We don’t have to do this, Jos.”

She lifts her gaze to mine, the spot between her brows furrowing as her dark brow shoots up, “Of course we do. We can’t let Lucy down!”

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