Page 115 of Wild

“Let’s get that hot chocolate I owe you,” I say, looping my arm through his.

We place our order and wait for her to hand us the Styrofoam cups.

Walking hand in hand we make our way down the walking mall. The trees are wrapped in twinkle lights and with the snow it’s … well, a fairy-tale come to life.

I lean my head against his arm and I feel him look down at me.

“Did you ever think this would be us?” I ask him.

“No,” he admits. “For the longest time I didn’t think I was capable of loving someone like I love you. At times I didn’t think it existed. Then I met you—and I was instantly drawn to you. You didn’t fawn all over me—you warned me you knew jiu-jitsu and fuck, I think I was a goner from that moment on.”

I laugh loudly. “You mean to tell me, my threatening to kick your ass is what did you in?”

“Yep, that’s exactly what I’m saying.”

“You’re so weird, Hollis.”

He grins, his eyes twinkling as brightly as the stars and lights around us. “It’s part of my charm.”

“Insufferable bastard,” I groan.

“But I’myourinsufferable bastard.”

“You’re right,” I agree lifting the cup of hot chocolate to my lips.

He takes a sip too. “This might be the best fucking hot chocolate I’ve ever had.”

“But you still needed ten mini marshmallows?”

“Any less is for pussies,” he quips.

I shake my head. We reach the end and turn around to head back.

“This place, this town,” he begins, looking around, “it’s pretty unique.”

I look around. “Yeah, I guess it is.”

“I could be happy here,” he remarks. “Happy with you.”

My heart stutters.

He looks down at me, his eyes serious. “We have a lot to figure out, Mia.”

“I know,” I breathe shakily. “It seems like an impossibility at times, you and me.”

He shakes his head and stops walking. He tucks a piece of hair behind my ear. The snow is still falling even harder than before. “Impossibilities only exist to prove the possible, and we, Mia,” he bends his head closer so I feel his breath against the skin of my cheek, “are most definitely possible.”

He kisses me then. Slowly. Deeply. Until I completely forget the world around us.

I close my eyes, soaking in his words, holding them close to my heart and willing them to be true.

It’s not until were tucked back, safe and warm in my apartment, that I realize we haven’t been careful at all tonight.

Not once, did I think about the possibility of getting caught.

CHAPTER28

HOLLIS

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