“And what if I didn’t want to travel anymore?” I asked softly. “What if I wanted to stay here and work on building out Sullivan Hardware’s online presence so that you can have more time for your photography, and I could come home to your mom’s lasagna more often?”
“Then that’s what we’ll do.” He tugged on a lock of my hair. “Idon’t care what our happy ever after looks like, as long as it has you in it.”
I leaned down and kissed him again, but it only took half a second before I realized there were catcalls and shouting all around us.
“Fuck,” I cried, shoving off him. “I was about to make out with you in front of the entire town.”
I reached down to help him to his feet, then began dusting the snow off his chest.
He shot me a teasing grin. “Copping a cheap feel instead?” he teased.
“I’m not stupid,” I said with a wink. “Gotta take my moments any way I can.”
Maddox looked around us before pulling his glove back on and reaching for my hand. “I think our moment was captured by more than the town,” he murmured.
Sure enough, cell phones were raised over people’s heads, filming every moment as Maddox and I made our way down the slope. But Maddox didn’t seem unhappy about it. If anything, he seemed… satisfied.
“You realize you’re going to be immortalized wearing earflaps, right?” I tugged at the edge of the hat. “And I can’t believe this coat even fits you.” I pushed the scarf aside and spotted a vintage cable-knit Nordique sweater beneath. “Wait, is that…?” My words trailed off as I realized the effort he’d gone to… and why.
“My dad’s old sweater.” Maddox nodded, his expression relaxed and happy. “I figured there was no better time to pull it out. If I was going to create a viral moment, why not make your sponsor happy?”
“But… this was our moment,” I protested. “It was about us.”
“It was. Itis. But it doesn’t have to be one or the other,” he said softly. He pulled me to a stop beside him, wrapping his armsaround my waist. “That’s what I was trying to tell you with this.” He waved a hand to indicate the mountain, the crowds of smiling tourists and townsfolk, and the two of us. “I know I said a lot of shit about your work when you first came to Legacy?—”
“You said the content I created was manufactured moments. And you were right,” I admitted. “About some of it, anyway.”
“But not all. You do a lot of good, too, baby. You make people feel seen and understood. You bring light and joy to their lives. You sure as fuck did for me.” His eyes glowed with love and adoration. “I don’t want you to feel like you have to choose between me and your work. I care about your career, too. We can build something together that works for both of us.”
I grabbed him by the lapels and kissed him again because I couldn’t help it. I was pretty sure the crowd erupted in cheers and applause, but I was too giddy and lost in the moment to care one way or another.
When we finally reached the bottom of the slope, Maya launched herself at both of us, nearly knocking us over again.
“I can’t believe we pulled this off!” she cried, bouncing between us. “Your plan rocked, Maddie. Mrs. Hoffman organized the ways to keep Adrian distracted—which was easy, since we already had a group text going from when we canceled all your dates. Foster helped with the lighting crew. Alex handled logistics. Tommy managed transportation?—”
“Maya,” Maddox interrupted with a laugh. “Breathe.”
“And Chief Kincaid!” she continued, ignoring him completely. “He actually volunteered to help with the electrical setup. Said something about making sure nobody burned down the mountain with all those lights.”
I glanced around, finally understanding the scope of what had happened. “You planned all this?” I demanded. “You, the man whowas determined not to let Legacy matchmake for him, got the entire town involved?”
“Not theentiretown,” Maddox said modestly. “Just… most of it.”
Mrs. Hoffman appeared beside us, eyes bright with tears. “Oh, this is better than any Christmas movie I’ve ever seen!” She pulled out her phone. “I got the whole thing on video. Wait ’til I show the girls at book club!”
Before I could process what was happening, we were surrounded by well-wishers and congratulations. Sadie pressed thermoses of spiked hot chocolate into our hands. Nate slapped Maddox on the back and teased him about “finally growing a pair.” Even Chief Kincaid nodded approvingly from across the group, though I noticed he was standing suspiciously close to where Alex, who must’ve left Timber right after me, was distributing hot drinks.
“How did you come up with this?” I asked as the crowd gradually dispersed to watch theactualStarlight Spectacular begin.
“When I saw those texts this morning, I was angry,” Maddox admitted. “Hurt, too. I really wish you’d told me about the job offer.”
“I should have. Iwouldhave. But I was scared if I said anything, I’d pop this happy bubble we’ve been in,” I confessed. “It’s been a long time since I let myself want something this much.”
“Same,” Maddox whispered.
“But I need you to know I never would have taken that job without talking to you. You do know that, right?” My gaze searched his.
Maddox frowned. “Of course. Adrian, your manager was giving you shit aboutnottaking the job offer. And I know you’re half in love with Legacy. You shine here. More than that, I knowyou. I know that’s not the kind of man you are.” He caught my jawin one gloved palm. “I just figured if Vic was reminding you of all the reasons you should leave, the least I could do was remind you of the reasons you should stay.”
