Chapter 23
It’s only been four days since I’ve seen her, but they’ve left a Mallory-shaped hole in my heart.
She’s been preparing things for her classroom before school starts back next week, but today she’s all mine.
Then I get her all to myself this weekend in Los Angeles.
I’m glad she agreed to go with me to the movie premiere because I’d be devastated to miss the last few days with her before school is back in session.
I know I’m going to see her less once she’s back to teaching, but I’m choosing to live in delusion until then.
There’s still plenty of time left for us to spend together while Granny recovers.
Until I have to return to LA, to my career.
I shake my head. I refuse to think about the distance that will separate us when I still have time with her here.
Plus, there’s a lifetime together to look forward to.
I know that’s wishful thinking, but, like I said, I’m choosing to live in delusion.
My phone buzzes in my pocket with an incoming text.
RHETT
Did you persuade Mallory to come to the showing with you???
Granny has always called me a golden retriever kind of guy…
but if I’m a golden retriever, what does that make Rhett?
A Labrador? A poodle? Or maybe one of the little goofy dogs spinning in circles at your feet.
Yeah, I think it’s that one. Rhett never runs out of energy, even when touring nonstop.
And he’s the most enthusiastic guy I know.
ME
Yes, you’ll get to meet her this weekend.
RHETT
*gif of minions cheering*
I can’t wait!
You better warn her about my charm, or I might just steal your girl *winking emoji*
ME
Have I told you lately how insufferable you are?
RHETT
It’s been a while. Thanks, I needed that to come back down.
Save me a seat by yours.
Most of these events have assigned seating, but I don’t bother telling him that. The only reason he was initially invited was because we used his hit country song “Forever, For Real” as the promotional song with the trailer and at the end credits.
I likely would’ve ended up inviting him anyway because he’s usually my plus-one to these things.
It takes the pressure off having to take an actual date and the media frenzy that always follows whenever I’m pictured with any woman.
Instead, the paparazzi have a ton of photos of me talking to my best friend. It’s a win-win.
Another text comes through.
RHETT
Better yet, I’ll see you on the carpet! *man dancing emoji*
Oh boy. Once he sends that man dancing emoji, it usually means he’s just getting started with all his over-the-top exuberance.
If I don’t end the conversation now, he’ll never stop.
I thumbs-up Rhett’s last message and slide my phone back into my pocket just as I hear a car pulling into the driveway.
I pop a stick of cinnamon gum into my mouth before grabbing my coat and gloves.
I head outside, lifting my pointer and middle fingers in a wave to Ted through the window before hopping into the backseat beside Mallory.
She’s buckled into the middle seat, so my leg presses against hers as the car starts to move.
It might mean nothing at all, but I’m taking it as a good sign that she chose to sit there, closer to me.
I lean over, pressing my lips to her cheek. “It’s good to see you, beautiful. It’s been too long.”
She smiles. “It’s good to see you, too.”
I love that she genuinely smiles at me now, like it’s effortless. A smile she can’t contain because she truly enjoys being around me.
“Are you ready for our date?”
Mallory nods. “Can you tell me where we’re going, or is this another surprise?”
“I can tell you, if you really want to know. But I think it will be more magical if it’s a surprise.”
She loops her hand through my arm and rests her head on my shoulder. “Okay, I trust you.”
Hope bubbles up inside me like a pot on the stove that I can’t keep from boiling over. Joy is my new resting state. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to wipe this grin off my face.
When we arrive at our destination, I open the door and step outside before helping Mallory get out of the car. “Give me just a second,” I tell her and move to the driver’s side.
Ted rolls down the window. “What can I do for you, Mr. Reynolds?”
“For the millionth time, you can call me Griffin.” I smile. “But you can go ahead and take the rest of the day off once you drop your friend off. I’ve arranged another way to get home.”
“You’re sure?”
I nod. “Go enjoy New Year’s Eve with your family.”
“Thanks, Mr. Re— Griffin.”
I shake my head as I wave goodbye and return to Mallory’s side. I take her hand and lead her from the parking lot into an opening in the woods surrounding us.
“Why are we in the middle of a forest? Why did you say Ted had to drop his friend off?”
Wrapping my gloved hands around her upper arms, I say, “Close your eyes.”
Mallory narrows her eyes at me playfully before closing them. Ted’s friend pulls the surprise up behind her. It’s probably already obvious with the sounds of the hooves crunching the snow.
I let go of her arms and say, “Your chariot awaits, beautiful.”
Mallory turns around and opens her eyes, gasping when she sees the horse-drawn carriage.
She launches herself at me. I barely catch her in time as she throws her arms around my neck and wraps her legs around my waist. With my hands cupped under her thighs, my heart races, but I try to control it before it makes me do something I might regret.
I’m not going to do anything to mess this night up.
Even if her lips are in the perfect position to be thoroughly kissed.
I avert my gaze. Nope, we’re not thinking about her perfect mouth. Fish lips. That’s what I’ll think of. Gross, stinky fish lips.
“Thank you.” Mallory’s words draw my eyes back to her beaming face. “I’ve always wanted to go on a carriage ride through the snow.”
“Really?”
She nods. “It may seem like I’m not into all the romantic things, but I think every girl has at least one princess moment they dream of. This is mine.”
“Then let’s make your dream come true, princess.” I carry her over to the carriage and carefully place her in it. I offer her an exaggerated bow that makes her blush before hopping up into the carriage and sitting beside her. There’s a plush cream-colored blanket that I pull up over our laps.
“Do you have everything you need, sir?” Ted’s friend—the owner of the horse and carriage—asks.
“This is great. Thank you. I’ll return it later, where we discussed.”
“Great, you kids have fun.” He walks off in the snow toward the car.
I pull my phone out and prop it up on the railing with a timer set. “We need a picture first.”
I lean my head against Mallory’s as we cozy up under the blanket and smile at the camera. This is a moment I never want to forget. After she approves the photo, I slide my phone back into my pocket and grab the drinks I had prepared for us in to-go cups.
Mallory takes the one I offer her, smiling when she sips the contents. “Snickerdoodle hot chocolate?” I nod. “You’re the best.”
There’s no holding back my smile as I take the reins in one hand while carefully holding my drink in the other. I make a small clicking sound, and the horse pulls us forward.
She raises a brow. “You know how to drive a horse-drawn carriage? Is there anything you can’t do?”
I laugh. “I had to learn for my role in A Chance Romance.” Thankfully, Ted’s friend owns one of the carriage ride businesses in town and allowed me to borrow it for the evening.
“Of course, you did.” She takes a sip of her drink, leaning back and looking at the scenery.
We move down the middle of the forest, rows of pine trees on either side, covered in a dusting of snow. It looks ethereal.
“I think we’ve been dropped into the middle of a fictional winter wonderland.” Mallory looks around in awe. “It looks like a scene from Narnia.” She tilts her head back and forth. “Or a horror film before all the murdering happens.”
I laugh. “I didn’t take you to a murder forest.”
“That’s a relief.” She pats her gloved hand on my chest, and my heart immediately picks up pace, a rhythm it only adopts around her.
I look down at her. “It really is beautiful. More than I could’ve ever dreamed of.”
“Are you saying you didn’t orchestrate for there to be snow covering all the trees and fresh snow along the path?” She glances up at me and blushes when she realizes I was already looking at her.
“I’m saying the view from where I am is the most stunning one I’ve ever seen.” I press a kiss to her temple. “Nothing else could ever compare.”
The color on her cheeks deepens, almost matching the pink of her coat. “So, should we go ahead and post the picture?”
“I don’t see every time we hang out as a photo op.
” I pull the horse to a stop, set my drink down, and lean closer.
A snowflake falls on my cheek, but I don’t bother brushing it away.
Nothing could pull me from this moment. I’m completely locked in on Mallory.
“Maybe I want pictures of us all to ourselves. Or maybe I just want to see you.”
“Is that so?” She tilts her chin, giving me the perfect access to her lips—an invitation.
“Mm-hmm,” I hum. If she truly was my girlfriend, I’d kiss her without fail, but I don’t want to make a move too quickly and lose all the progress we’ve made.
Thankfully, I don’t have to worry about that because Mallory closes the remaining distance between us, pressing her lips to mine.
It’s nothing like the kisses we’ve shared before.
Our first kiss was tender and sweet, while the one for the photographer was quick and staged.
But this one is filled with all the passion I’ve been holding back since I found her.
One that comes from thinking love was forever lost, but it’s finally found again.
No more holding back.
I put my all into each press of our lips, telling her everything I can’t say with my words yet. Not until I know for certain how she feels.
Your laugh is my favorite sound on the planet. I’d do just about anything to hear it for the rest of my life.
I can’t get you out of my mind.
You’re slowly becoming the very air I breathe.
Every minute I spend with you is my new favorite.
I don’t want this to ever end, because I don’t think I’d be able to handle losing you a second time.
I’m falling in love with you as quickly as the snow is falling around us.
I tilt my head, and Mallory deepens the kiss, tasting like sweet cinnamon.
A deep sound comes out of my throat, making me sound like a man who’s been starving for affection.
But I would wait my whole life for this kind of connection.
One where it feels like our lives are so irrevocably intertwined that you can’t call it anything but fate.
My gloved hands move to the back of her neck. This kiss feels special. Like we’re on the precipice of a real future together. Who needs food, water, and shelter when I have her? Every moment spent together—every touch, every kiss, every shared word—makes me feel alive.
When I feel her shiver, I reluctantly pull back. “Cold?”
Her cheeks are flushed from our kiss, but she still wraps her arms around her middle, huddling under the blanket. “Yes and no.” She laughs.
I reach down and pull out the thermos I had the owner stow under the seat. “How about more hot chocolate?”
Mallory’s eyes light up as she nods. “You thought of everything.”
“Only the best for my girl.” I open the thermos and pour the steaming drink into her cup.
“Thanks.” She sips on it before snuggling back into my side.
We’re quiet for a while as we take in the beautiful scenery around us. It smells like the epitome of winter—the scent of pine trees in the air mixed with the sweet cinnamon-sugar of her drink.
“Griff?” Mallory’s voice pulls me out of my daze.
“Mm?”
“Thank you.”
I laugh, pulling her closer to my side. “You already said that.”
“I’m not talking about the hot chocolate, even though it’s amazing.” She licks her lips and looks around like she’s searching for the words. “Thank you for not giving up on me. For pursuing me and showing up, even when I was being…difficult.”
“Like I’ve said, you’re worth the wait,” I reassure her. “But I think I’d like a repeat of that kiss every day for the rest of my life.” I watch her, waiting to see how she’ll respond to such a bold statement.
Mallory smiles, her eyes taking on a teasing glint.
“I think I could be convinced.” She looks down at her cup, then back up at me.
“Does this mean we can tear up that contract now?” She leans over and presses a kiss to my cheek.
“I don’t want your money or anything else between us. I have all I need right here.”
I lean into her touch. “So do I.”
“Does this make us officially official?”
“Absolutely,” I say, even though this has been the real deal for me from the start. “I think you just gave me a new favorite word.”
“What’s that?”
“Us.”
Mallory leans her head on my shoulder. “I like the sound of that, too.”