Page 54 of Holly and Ivar
Holly was tucked under the inn's quilt.She should've been asleep hours ago, but her mind kept replaying the night—the firelight, Ivar's crooked grin, the way he'd said "we" without hesitation.She liked being part of a "we" and an "us."The world didn't feel quite so lonely.
Her phone buzzed.
Ivar: Is this the North Pole?
Holly: Be careful.You’re on the “nice but leaning towards naughty” list.
Ivar: That tracks.I think you might be on the “works too hard and forgets to have fun” list.
Holly: Ouch.Accurate.
Ivar: You did laugh tonight, though.Twice, I think?That’s progress.
Holly: If you count laughing at you dropping a ladle.
Ivar: I’ll take it.Night, Kringle.
Holly: Night, Ranger.
She set the phone down, but the glow still painted her ceiling in soft light.Her body was tired, but her heart—her heart was awake.
It had been years since someone had made her laugh like this.Years since she’d let someone see her this unguarded.
And she wasn’t sure what scared her more: that she wanted to see him again tomorrow, or that she already knew she would.
CHRISTMAS EVE COUNTDOWN
DAYS
29
breaking the ice
Ivar
Ivarpouredhimselfacoffee while Al was sprawled in front of the stove, paws twitching in a dream.Picking up his phone, his thumb hovered over last night’s messages.
For someone who claimed to hate surprises, Holly Kringle had sure become one he liked very, very much.In one short, but incredibly full week, she’d turned his world upside down, inside out, and given it quite a good shake.
And now it was the first day of the Christmas Carnival and the kickoff to Operation: Christmas Arc the Hales.
He wondered if she was awake yet and if she, too, had spent the night replaying everything between them.He thumbed open their chat and started typing.
Ivar: Woke up to find roasted squash in the fridge and lingering trauma from hearing you say “ho ho ho.”Thanks for that.
Holly: Consider it an early Christmas gift.
Ivar: Pretty sure that’s what nightmares are made of.
Holly: Then you’re welcome.
Ivar: You bringing your broom today or should I clear the skies first?
Holly: Keep it up, Ranger, and I’ll turn you into coal.
Ivar: Worth it.
Ivar stared at the screen for a while before setting the phone down beside his coffee.Outside, the trees were dusted in light snow, the world still and waiting.He had no idea where any of this was going, only that it had a momentum of its own and he would follow it wherever it led.
