Chapter Twenty-Eight
COLE
After what seemed like forever, the last competing couple took their final steps, ending in a dramatic pose.
The crowd erupted in applause as glitter cannons fired across the floor, leaving a shimmer in the air.
Cole couldn’t stop watching Aspen—his eyes roaming her profile until his gaze found hers in the darkness once more, the glitter from the cannons dancing in her emerald eyes.
He was vaguely aware of Barry Mynt’s voice somewhere in the background, but as people began moving to the dance floor, they stayed rooted in their own little world, as though nothing else existed around them.
Aspen’s hand brushed his, sending his heart racing, before she grabbed it and pulled him from the moment they were having. “Come with me,” she said as she stood from her chair.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, saluting her as he scooted his chair out.
She laughed, shaking her head, and he followed close behind, their hands still intertwined. Her hand fit in his perfectly—so delicate, yet strong. So gentle, yet sure—and it warmed his heart to know he was the one who got to hold it.
She led him toward a small side door, and he kept his eyes down, not wanting anyone who might know him to notice them or stop them from whatever goal Aspen had in mind.
She pushed the door open and tugged him outside.
The cold air hit him, but he didn’t mind, their breaths going up in the air like clouds before them as they continued to walk.
“Where are we going, Snow?” he asked with a chuckle, following her blindly into the darkness.
“Nowhere in particular. I’ll let you know when we’re at the right spot,” she said, her laugh floating back to him.
“If I trip on something out here and twist my ankle, you’ll have to carry me home.” He teased, squinting into the darkness.
Aspen squeezed his hand in response. “Then don’t trip. Because there’s no way I can carry you out of here.”
He couldn’t help but laugh, despite himself.
They continued on, the sounds from the ballroom fading from Cole’s ears the farther they moved, until they were almost in complete darkness, the only light from the stars above.
She stopped suddenly and turned to face him. In the dim light, her eyes caught his, their breaths coming fast, his heart thrumming, waiting to hear why she had practically dragged him out into the middle of the forest.
“I heard you the other night, you know,” Aspen rushed to say as Cole wrapped his arms around her back, his heart doing acrobatics in his chest from the anticipation of hearing her words.
“Heard me say what?” Cole asked, knowing full well what she was referring to but wanting to tease her just a little as she fiddled with the buttons on his suit jacket.
“I heard what you said. That you… um…” She paused, as though unsure how to say the words, as she continued playing with the buttons on his jacket.
They sat in silence for a moment or two as he battled internally with what he should say.
Should he say it again? He waited for her to speak before deciding to rescue her from her struggle.
“That I might be falling in love with you?” he asked, his hand moving up to her face, his thumb brushing gently over her cheek.
She exhaled softly. “Well, yeah. That,” she whispered.
“I hoped you had heard me. But I wasn’t sure, since you sleep like a rock.” He brushed his thumb over her cheek again, and she sighed, leaning into his touch.
“I just wasn’t sure what to say back. I really like you, Cole. And I think this is love, but my heart has been hurt so much that… well… It's scary.” Her voice shook, and she growled in frustration. “No. I am not going to cry.”
His lips touched hers gently, and she hummed in appreciation as they continued to kiss.
He pulled away, resting his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling in the air between them.
“Snow, you don’t have to tell me anything. Really. I just wanted you to know that I know you’re the one for me. And if that scares you, I’m sorry. I don’t mean to, but I don’t want to keep anything from you.”
He kissed her again and held her close against his chest, her weight settling into him, as if handing over her burdens, trusting him to hold them with her.
“So… is that all that you wanted to say? Or is there something else?” he asked as he pulled away, tilting her head up, his eyes tracing the outline of her face. “Or… are you trying to murder me this time?”
She shook her head and laughed, then exhaled, as though letting the tension fall away.
“I’ve decided to retire from… from professional sports.
After almost hurting my knee again with Chase on that mountain and pushing myself like I did, I realized how terrified I had been—terrified of hurting myself.
I can’t snowboard like that anymore. Always worrying, always wondering if one more jump, one more trick will be the one that ends everything for me.
That’s no way to live. I had been trying to hold onto something familiar, but you helped me realize that clinging to the past wasn’t what I needed—or wanted.
I was missing out on my future. I had a good run, and I loved it while it lasted, but my health and happiness are more important.
And now… I finally feel ready to move forward. ”
Cole was shocked into silence, completely lost for words, his brain trying to make sense of what she was saying.
They sat there for a moment as he collected his thoughts, not wanting to say the wrong thing, before he finally managed to speak.
“I… uh… what? But you love snowboarding and competing. I’ve seen you on those runs, Aspen.
I’ve watched you for all of these years—you are one with this sport.
What are you going to do now? Are you sure?
Are you absolutely positive? I thought you wanted this to be your comeback.
All of that work, Aspen… are you sure that’s what you wa–? ”
She cut him off with a finger to his lips, silencing him—and making him smile.
“Well… if you let me finish without asking me fifty questions, I’ll tell you, silly.
I had a meeting with Mr. Mynt this afternoon.
And… you’re looking at the Program Director for the new Youth Mentorship Program.
I mentioned that I met a kid at the Mynt Mingle and Jingle VIP event and how much he wanted to compete but couldn’t because his family didn’t have the money.
The only reason he was able to come to the VIP event was because he had won a ticket.
I want kids to have the opportunity to live their dreams, the same as me, and I think I can make that happen.
Mr. Mynt is really excited about it. He’s been wanting to help underprivileged kids for a while but wasn’t sure where to start.
But with all of my community service hours over the years, I’ve made some really great connections, and when I told him about it, he was ecstatic. ”
Cole smiled at her enthusiasm. This woman was meant to lead, to inspire—and she would, just in a different way. A way that would make her happy.
“Well, one thing’s for sure, you’ve got the bossy part down,” he teased.
She threw her head back with a laugh. “I already know I’m bossy.
But do you want to know the best part of all of this?
I get to live here at Mynt Resort—in my cabin—next to my boyfriend.
” She poked him in the side and he flinched, watching the outline of her mouth lift into a smile.
Before he could stop himself, he picked her up and spun her around, her laughter ringing out through the trees.
He set her down gently, and she tipped her head with a teasing little smile.
“So… does that mean you’ll like having your girlfriend around all the ti—?”
He pulled her closer, cutting off her words with his mouth, kissing her breathless. She smiled against him, and he laughed softly as they stood there in the dark. Eventually, he drew back a little, giving them both a moment to breathe.
She shivered, rubbing her arms as though finally noticing the chill. “I’ll take that as a yes,” she said with a smile. “Now that that’s all settled—let’s head back to the party so we can warm up a bit. I’m freezing.”
He tucked her into his side, and she wrapped her arms around his back, her hands sliding between his jacket and his shirt as though seeking warmth.
He shivered as her icy fingers ran across his thin dress shirt.
“Geez, woman. Your hands are freezing.” He took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders, then tucked her back into his side as he guided her to the ballroom, sneaking in through the side door before slipping onto the dance floor.
She rested her head on his chest, and he held her hand against his heart as they swayed to the music, neither of them keeping the beat as they floated around the dance floor.
She hadn’t quite said she loved him, but the thought that she might, that it was possible, was good enough for him.
She would get there—he was certain of that.
He had found his soulmate, and as ridiculous as that sounded, he knew it was true.
Another song started and ended, and she lifted her head from his chest, tilting her face up as their eyes met. He bent down and placed a soft kiss on her lips. She smiled up at him, and he returned the smile as they continued to sway together.
They danced through a few more songs before Aspen decided her knee had had enough, and then they left—back to her cabin.
Aspen changed into some comfortable clothes while he started a fire. As soon as she was done in the bedroom, he changed into pajamas as well, and they cozied up together on the couch, the warmth of the fire and their happiness wrapping around them like a blanket.
He tugged her a little closer, running his fingers through her soft curls, which smelled faintly of strawberries—and something even sweeter he couldn’t name.
Her soft sigh against his chest made him grin. “Comfy?” he asked quietly.
“Very,” she whispered, tilting her head back just enough to look at him. “I could stay like this forever.”
He bent down and kissed her lips gently as the fire crackled in the fireplace. He could stay like this forever too—and he would, if Aspen let him. She snuggled into his chest, and he pressed a kiss to her hair, thinking about how at peace they were.
“I still can’t believe you dragged me into the forest,” he murmured as his lips brushed her ear.
“And I can’t believe you let me,” she replied, laughing softly.
Cole smiled, his hand stroking hers gently as he held it over his heart. As he held her there, he felt a quiet assurance settle over him. They had their entire lives ahead of them, chasing their dreams, and he would be with her for every single step.
“I’m pretty sure I’m falling for you, Cole.” Her sleepy words drifted up to him, soft and tender, and his chest tightened with a warmth that made him never want to let go.
“Fall away, sweet Snow,” he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple. “Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is fall… right into love.”
The End