Page 41 of My Secret Snowflake
Our hands touch as I reach to help.
“I think you’re only making it tighter,” I say.
“Our leaping didn’t help,” she says.
“It helped us win. That’s what’s important,” I say. The knot is impossible to loosen.
“Exactly.” Her eyes crease at the corners as she chuckles. “Even if we’re now attached for life.”
Our glances hold, and my hands still. She just seems so alive. And there’s that scent of flowers around her.
“Do you guys need scissors?” Rose asks. “Here.”
I take the scissors and focus on cutting the scarf. We both step away from the crumpled fabric and don’t look at each other.
The last game is a ring pop hunt, and Iris sprints off to take a ring pop from the top of a light fixture. I can’t help but tease her. She looks so intent on winning.
“I think there’s one behind the stairs going up to the stage,” I whisper.
Iris glances back. “Are you sure? Then why aren’t you getting it?”
“I want you to win.”
She finds the ring pop there and is on to the next possible hiding place.
“If you really want me to win, go look for some ring pops and bring them to me,” Iris says.
“Is that allowed?” I ask.
“Nothing in the rules forbids it,” Iris says.
“But it’s so much more fun to follow you around,” I say.
Iris plucks another ring pop from between a napkin holder.
“You don’t seem to be taking this competition seriously.” She pokes me in the chest.
I laugh.
“You must have been a terror to your little sister,” she says.
“My sister can more than hold her own,” I say proudly.
“Will she be at Lily and Rupert’s party tomorrow?” she says.
My lips turn down. “She’s in London now. Plus, she’s annoyed with me, so we haven’t talked recently. I miss her.”
“Just call her and tell her that,” Iris says. “I’m sure she misses you too.”
Aunt Viola rings the bell. Liam is the winner. He raises his beer to Iris. “Usually, Iris wins the Easter egg hunt. Thank you, Sebastian, for distracting her.”
I tip my head. Iris gives me a mock glare.
“I’m calling it a night. I need to sleep.” Dahlia pats her rounded belly. “But thank you all so much for coming to celebrate our wedding. Sorry we eloped, but I never wanted a big wedding. And this party was absolutely perfect for me. Thank you, Iris, for organizing this.”
Her husband Arjan adds his thanks, and a bit of teasing back and forth among all the friends follows.
Iris smiles at me. “I’m so relieved I could be here with my family and Dahlia’s friends.”
