Page 146 of Merry Me
Easton.
Watching me with that soft, steady look like I was the only thing in the world that mattered.
He glanced at my star. “What’d you wish for?”
“If I tell you, it won’t come true,” I said, my lips curving.
“You really believe that?”
“I believe in hedging my bets.”
He grinned, then leaned past me and tied his own star to the branch right beside mine. Our wishes spun slowly together, dancing in the twinkle of the tree lights, as though they were already bound by fate.
“What about you?” I teased, fighting to keep my voice steady. “Want to share yours?”
Easton smiled, softer this time, his eyes lingering on mine just a second too long. “Maybe later.”
I bit my lip, smiling helplessly as I watched him.
Eventually the evening wound down. Guests began to drift toward their rooms, murmuring soft goodnights and Merry Christmases. Easton touched my elbow lightly as I started toward the staircase, drawing my attention back to him.
“Hey,” he said, his voice low and warm, sending a shiver down my spine. “Want to walk together?”
I nodded, my throat tight with emotion. “Yeah,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’d like that.”
We climbed the stairs slowly, quietly, in comfortable silence, shoulders occasionally brushing. My heart raced, caught in the tension between wanting to say something—anything—and wanting to just enjoy the quiet closeness.
Then Easton paused by the door that led out into the courtyard. He glanced through the frosted glass, then looked back at me with a mischievous grin.
“Come outside with me.”
“It’s freezing out there.”
“I’ll keep you warm.”
I raised an eyebrow but couldn’t fight my own smile as I followed him into the snowy courtyard. The moment we stepped outside, the chill hit me, crisp and sharp, but the air smelled fresh, like clean snow and possibility.
Easton took my hand without hesitation, and we walked slowly down the winding stone path, snow crunching softly beneath our feet. Overhead, a thousand stars glittered faintly through the soft haze of frost, quiet sentinels to our private moment.
I happened to glance through a window into the bed-and-breakfast, and almost fell on my face when I saw MeMaw air-humping as she watched us leave.
That was an image I’d never be able to get rid of.
“Natalie?”
I turned to face him, my breath stuttering for a moment because nowhere in the history of the world had such a pretty man existed.
“Okay,” he said. “I’m ready.”
“Ready for what?”
He turned to face me fully, pulling me gently to a stop in front of him. His eyes glowed warm beneath the frost beading his lashes,his gaze so tender it stole my breath.
“To tell you my wish,” he murmured.
My pulse quickened, my voice barely a whisper. “Yeah?”
He nodded slowly, eyes steady on mine. “I wished to spend every Christmas with you.”
