“Yeah,” I say quickly, with a nervous smile. “Just needed to be plugged in. All good now.” I wave my hand dismissively, hoping he gets the hint.
He nods and walks off.
I take in a breath, my heart rate slowing down. “I kind of went overboard with the frost. Is it too much?”
Dylan shakes his head, grinning. “Too much? No way. It’s like stepping into a winter wonderland—with your twist. It’s magic.”
His awe catches me off guard. He’s not just admiring the room. He’s admiring me. And I feel proud of what I’ve created.
“That means so much,” I murmur. “I’ve been fighting this for so long. Telling myself I’m too old to start. That this is nothing but a silly dream.”
His hands land on my shoulders. “It’s not silly. You brought an empty, lifeless room and turned it into something alive. Something breathtaking.”
I glance around us, hoping no one walks in. Wanting more time with him alone.
“This is exactly where you’re supposed to be.” He lifts my chin, his eyes on mine. “Doing what you love… with me.” A chill runs through my body, and tears build in my eyes.
I’m lost in him. In this moment. In wanting something I can’t have. No one’s ever made me feel this seen. Not my mother. Not Jacob. No one.
Without thinking, I step forward and kiss him. I pour every desire, every unspoken word, every piece of me into it, and he kisses me back just as fiercely, his hands gripping me like he’s afraid to let go.
Until I smack him playfully on the arm. “How the hell do you do that?” I murmur. “Flirt with my head, my heart, and my lady parts all at once?”
He smirks. “Maybe it’s because I love being inside all three.”
I choke. “Oh really?!”
He cocks an eyebrow. “Really. Your head, heart… and soul. Isn’t that what you meant?”
I roll my eyes. “Sure. Real smooth. Didn’t your sisters warn you that women hate guys this charming?”
“Guess I missed that memo.”
My smile fades a little. “Speaking of your sisters… what happened between you and Amelia?”
His face twists. “First, how’d it go with your mom?”
I pause, debating how much to share. I’m still hurt she lied to me. But are all lies unforgivable even when they are meant to protect someone? Or is that just the story we tell ourselves to justify hurting the people we love?
“It was… a lot. Total torture at first. But once the shock and anger wore off, we talked. I think we’re okay now,” I shrug. “Giving her space to process. Back to your sister.”
He nods, his expression darkening. “Okay. Short version? Amelia and I were never close. She was much older, always busy with her friends. I was the annoying brother still playing withTonka trucks. Then our brother died and everything collapsed. My parents’ divorce had already done enough damage, but that?” His voice cracks. “That destroyed us. My dad and Amelia both blamed me. Said I should’ve been there. It got ugly. And after that… ten years of silence.”
“Wow,” I say under my breath. “That's a really long time. But I’m glad you two are finally speaking again.”
“Me too. I can’t get my brother back, but I don’t have to lose what’s left of my family,” he murmurs. “I don’t want to lose you either.”
He hesitates, his voice raw when he continues. “But I can’t ask you to tear apart your family for this. I know what happens when families fall apart. I’ve lived it.” He sighs softly. “Even if you won’t say this out loud, I know you’re hoping for more than I can give.”
Distant voices pull us out of the moment. Dylan steps away, the space between us suddenly unbearable. He looks like he might say something, but he doesn’t. He turns and walks off, leaving me standing in my winter wonderland, feeling colder than the ice sculptures around me.
Before I can collect myself, Gabriella walks in. She stops, her eyes darting from me to the spot where Dylan just stood. My gut twists, panic building inside me.
Did she hear us?
Then she smiles. “Dylan was right. You’re worth every penny.”
Her heels click as she rushes toward me, her white mermaid gown flowing. “This is… better than I ever could have imagined. I can’t wait to celebrate my marriage in this gorgeous space.” She kisses my cheek again and again, just like Dylan warned. “Thank you, thank you!”
