Chapter 8
W e ride in silence as we go past a trail dotted with fir trees and bare birches dusted with a layer of snow, their branches bending toward each other to create a canopy that glitters in the fading light. The crisp air carries the scent of pine and cedar, and the only sound is the steady clop of hooves and the occasional jingling of bells tied to the horses’ harnesses.
When my family visited Starlight Pines in the winter, we’d go sledding, have epic snowball fights, and I’d hang with Andrew at his house. Surprisingly enough, we never took a sleigh ride, so I’m taking in the scenery around me for the first time.
Lila sits beside me with the blanket on her lap, her gaze lingering on the snowy canopy, a serene smile on her face.
I’m entranced by her presence, from her infectious smile to the way she chews on her lip when she’s nervous, and I’m struck by how easily she quiets the storm inside me. And her love for the holidays has me seeing this time of year in a whole new light, making it impossible not to get swept up in her excitement.
Admittedly, some of my thoughts are far from innocent. It’s been hours, but I can’t shake the memory of us in the events room. Her body pressed tightly to mine as I held her close, the sweet scent of peppermint swirling around us, and the unmistakable hunger in her eyes as they lingered on my mouth.
When I glance over again, I notice she’s shivering, and her teeth are chattering.
Without thinking, I scoot closer and drape an arm around her, pulling her into my embrace. Even through all the layers, I can feel her warmth, and I will myself to banish the inappropriate thoughts.
“What are you doing?” Lila asks, wide-eyed.
“Can’t have you turning into an icicle on my watch now, can I?” I say, tucking the blanket tighter around her legs.
She tilts her head, the corner of her mouth twitching like she’s fighting a smirk. “I rather like chivalrous Brooks.”
“It’s called self-preservation. If you catch hypothermia, I’m the one who has to explain to Andrew why his sister got sick on my watch.”
“And here I thought you were just being sweet,” she quips.
I hold her extra close as I recall the way everything seemed to slow down as she lost her balance and fell off the stool earlier today—it was only a few feet off the ground, but she could have been seriously injured if I hadn’t been there to catch her.
The idea of her getting hurt sends a sharp pain through my chest, sparking an overwhelming need to draw her into my arms and reassure myself she’s safe.
Despite my best efforts to keep my walls up, she is dismantling them brick by brick, and the more I try to convince myself she’s off-limits and push her from my mind, the stronger my desire for her becomes.
Which leaves me confused.
I’ve built a successful empire by devoting my life to my business and shutting my emotions out. If I don’t allow myself to feel, I don’t have to face the complications they bring. Yet none of that holds true with Lila.
Begging the question, would my priorities shift if I had something—or someone —that I cared about to come home to at night? Someone like her.
“Is something wrong?” Lila rests her hand on my cheek, her face shadowed with worry.
I nod. “I’m fine.”
“Good.” She smiles. “I was beginning to think you regret being stuck in a sleigh with me.”
She’s wrong.
Her presence is magnetic, and I‘m drawn to her like a moth to a flame.
I shake my head. “Never.” I lift her other hand from under the blanket and bring them both to my mouth to warm them, the tips of her fingers ice cold against my lips. “You’ve somehow made the holiday season bearable again, believe it or not,” I say, voicing my earlier thoughts.
“What do you mean?” Sadness clouds her expression, a reflection of her empathy that makes me want to confide in her.
“Christmas was my dad’s favorite holiday, which is why we always celebrated in Starlight Pines. He said our apartment in New York was too cold and impersonal, and this was the only place that captured the spirit of the season, and he wanted my brothers and me to experience that too.” I pause, my eyes drifting to the snow-covered trees. “He was the glue that kept our family together, and after he died, the thought of celebrating the holidays without him felt like a betrayal, let alone coming back to the place that reminded me of his absence.”
“I’m so sorry, Brooks,” Lila says with a downcast gaze. “I can’t imagine how hard it is to be here, especially during the holidays.”
I lower our hands into my lap. “It wasn’t fair of me to stay away, especially when my grandma was left to grieve alone while my brothers and I avoided coming back. She deserves better.”
“Kay hasn’t been alone.” Lila’s words ease the guilt pressing against my chest. “She gave me my dream job despite my lack of experience, trusting I would grow into the role. Learning from her has been a privilege, and I cherish every opportunity to return her kindness.”
“I meant it when I said my grandma is lucky to have you.” I swallow the lump in my throat.
She’s not the only one.
Lila shifts in her seat. “Brooks,” she whispers.
“Yeah?”
“I might only be your friend’s annoying little sister, but I’m here if you ever want to talk. You never have to be alone if you don’t want to be.”
And just like that, she’s managed to dismantle the notion of keeping her at arm’s length. She doesn’t owe me anything, and yet, she’s offered me compassion and patience—things I’m not sure I deserve.
“Bullshit,” I state in a hushed tone. “You’re so much more than Andrew’s sister. You’re thoughtful and funny and an incredible event planner. This wedding wouldn’t have been possible without you. You’ve become my grandmother’s favorite person—aside from Winston, of course. Not to mention, you’re beautiful inside and out, and I admire how much you care about those around you.
Lila laughs, shaking her head. “Is that a line from one of your movies?”
“Nope, it’s the truth.”
She pauses, opening her mouth to add something, but stops herself.
When we turn off onto a dirt road, she points to a sign that says Welcome to Mistletoe Ridge .
“We’re here,” she exclaims.
I arch a brow, scanning our surroundings. “Where exactly is here, and why is it called Mistletoe Ridge?”
“You’ll see,” she says with a twinkle in her eye.
I don’t notice anything out of the ordinary until she edges closer, nudging me lightly. “Look up.” Her breath grazes the side of my neck as she speaks.
When I do what she asks, my mouth falls open when I spot the hundreds of clusters of mistletoe suspended from the branches of the surrounding oak and pine trees. The white berries are a sharp contrast to the green leaves, and it’s hard to believe they’re real.
How did I not know this place existed before today? I’ve been to Starlight Pines dozens of times, but I guess as a kid, visiting a landmark that I’d assume is considered romantic was the last thing on my mind. And once I got old enough to date, I can only imagine this would have been the last spot my dad and grandma would have wanted to put on my radar.
“The view is absolutely incredible, isn’t it?” Lila asks, her gaze drifting upward.
“You’re right,” I reply, never looking away from her. “It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I’d go as far as to say it’s the most stunning thing I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
“Don’t tell me you’re going soft over a little mistletoe…” She laughs, but the sound fades when she notices my focus is entirely on her, the view being the furthest thing from my mind.
Our faces are mere inches apart, my pulse speeds up as I absentmindedly trace my finger along her jawline, silently counting the freckles scattered across her cheeks. Lila trembles under my touch but doesn’t pull away.
There’s a smudge of lip gloss on the side of her mouth, and I gently wipe it off with the pad of my thumb. Her breath hitches in response, her plump lips practically begging to be kissed.
“Do you have a thing for my mouth or something?” she teases softly.
“I have a thing for you ,” I confess in a whisper.
She tilts her head back, eyes wide. “Please don’t say that if you don’t mean it.”
“You should know by now that I don’t say things I don’t mean, Goldie.”
Right now, everything that should hold me back from wanting her fades into the background.
My mind is consumed with the need to close the distance between us. We’re under a forest full of mistletoe, like the fates are conspiring to make me forget why I’ve been holding back.
It’s only one kiss; what’s the worst that could happen?
That thought may come back to haunt me later, but right now, I couldn’t care less.
For once, I abandon the thought entirely, leaning in to press a chaste kiss to her collarbone. She melts into my touch as I trail kisses up her neck, along her jaw, and when I finally skim my lips over hers, sending a heat spreading through me like wildfire, I can’t get enough.
Lila nips my bottom lip, delving her tongue inside my mouth.
She tastes like mint and sunshine.
I never expected kissing her would be like this—electric, urgent, and leaving me craving more.
“God, you’re so beautiful,” I murmur.
“And you’re halfway charming without that perpetual frown on your face,” she teases, her fingers trailing along the outline of my mouth.
I capture her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. “Careful, Goldie, or you might make me believe you actually enjoy my—”
Before I can finish, the sound of distant laughter and muffled conversation drifts toward us, shattering the stillness like a dropped glass. Lila’s cheeks flush a deeper shade, and as she retreats to her side of the sleigh, her hand brushes my thigh. I inhale deeply, reining in the desire to keep her close, and lean my head back, wondering how I became so enthralled with this woman.
“We must be near the lake,” she says, craning her neck for a better view. “All the sleighs stop so the guests can take in the view.”
And just like that, the absenceof her body against mine leaves a void colder than the wind nipping at my face.
We’re the last to get back to the inn.
Lila immediately shifts back into hostess mode when she spots the guests milling around the lobby and helps my grandma pass out cups of hot chocolate and shortbread.
I’m struck by how effortlessly she can switch gears from sharing a private moment together in a sleigh to slipping into the role of hostess like it’s second nature. It’s not just her efficiency but also the way she manages to make everyone feel welcome, and seems to brighten the room with her presence.
Returning to Starlight Pines has turned out to be nothing like I expected it would. I’ve avoided coming back because it reminded me of what I lost, and I wanted to avoid celebrating the holidays at all costs. But now, I’m starting to think this town might hold more for me than the ghosts of the past and could be the start of a new beginning.
What should have been a quick visit to check on my grandma has evolved into finding a reason to stay past Christmas so I can spend more time with Lila. The endless pile of paperwork and scripts waiting on my desk in California no longer seem as pressing as they used to be.
What terrifies me the most is how I’m consumed by an insatiable longing to kiss her again.
Whether I’m ready to admit it or not, she has the power to change everything, and I can’t help but wonder—what would happen if I let her not only into my life but also my heart?
I shake my head in an attempt to banish the silly notion, but it refuses to leave.
Andrew joins me by the fireplace with a mug of hot chocolate in hand, and a frown etched across his face.
“Careful, Andrew, or that scowl will be stuck like that for your wedding photos,” I mutter.
He crosses his free arm across his chest, his pointed stare locked in on me. “Care to tell me why you’re looking at my sister like she’s the only person in the room? Or better yet, why you’re staying in her cottage? You didn’t mention it when we talked earlier.”
My ears burn, but I keep my expression neutral. I take a long sip of my drink, buying myself time to think.
He’s right. I’ve purposely avoided the subject. What was I supposed to tell him? That Lila has dominated my thoughts for the past four months, and now that she’s slipped past my defenses, it’s as if a dam has broken, and there’s no stopping the tide from rushing in.
“Well?” Andrew drums his fingers against his leg, waiting for my reply.
“All the rooms were booked, so I was sleeping in the storage room, but my cot broke last night.”
He snorts. “And my sister’s cottage was the only place you could stay? That’s convenient.”
“Need I remind you that you’re the one who volunteered me to help her with the wedding?”
“Last time I checked, staying at Lila’s place wasn’t part of being my best man,” he retorts.
Technically, we shared a bed, and even though nothing happened, it seems like something I should keep to myself. The last thing I want is to give Andrew more reason to be suspicious of my intentions.
Which begs the question: What are my intentions when it comes to Lila?
There was always the option of sleeping on the floor in my grandma’s room or crashing on one of the couches in the lobby. Granted, neither option would have been particularly comfortable, and the latter could have caused guests to report me to the front desk for loitering.
The truth is, I couldn’t resist Lila’s invitation to stay with her when the opportunity presented itself. Not taking the chance would have haunted me, just like I regret walking away from her at the engagement party, and I wasn’t about to make the same mistake twice.
Andrew’s eyes narrow as he leans against the mantle. “Is there something going on between you and my sister?”
“Nothing happened last night,” I answer, deflecting the question.
I avoid telling him about the kiss Lila and I shared at Mistletoe Ridge earlier—another detail I doubt he’d take kindly to hearing. He’s my best friend, and I’m afraid of how this will affect our relationship. He’s privy to every detail of my past and has been my wingman since we were teenagers, well aware of my lack of commitment to the women I’ve hooked up with. Lila is one of the most important people in his life, and I worry he’ll assume I’m taking advantage of her because of our forced proximity.
“I’m not sure that…”
I trail off when Hannah approaches. “Andrew, there you are,” she says with a smile. “Your mom was hoping to introduce us to a friend of hers who recently moved to town.”
I let out a breath of relief, grateful for the interruption. That’s the problem with having a best friend since childhood. He knows all your secrets.
Yes, I want Lila, but risking my friendship with Andrew and Hannah for something I’m still trying to figure out seems reckless. And the last thing I want is to cast a shadow over their big day. But even now, I can’t shake the pull I have toward Lila, and I can only hope that Andrew doesn’t see what I’m trying so hard to hide—that every time I look at his sister, it feels like the ground shifts beneath me.
I’m diving headfirst into uncharted territory, and every minute spent with Lila makes it harder to hold back. Our kiss under the mistletoe is now etched in my memory, and I’m not sure I’ll
be able to stop myself from falling for her. I’m halfway there already.