“Does that mean you’re rating that kiss a ten?”
She scrunches her nose in the most adorable way. “I’m going to give that kiss a six.”
“A six?” I shrug. “Do you know what that means?” I take a strand of her hair and tuck it behind her ear. “We’re going to have to keep practicing.”
Her smile widens. “I guess kissing through Christmas lives on.”
“I’m so glad to hear that.”
Her phone rings inside her shoulder purse, killing the moment, but she doesn’t move.
I point to her bag. “Are you going to answer that?”
“No, that would be rude.”
“I don’t mind.”
“Okay, thanks.” She slides the bag around so she can unzip the top. She digs through the pack, taking out a tube of lipstick and a pack of gum. “Do you mind holding these?” She shoves the items in front of my face.
I smile, thinking back to when I saw Lacee at the airport yesterday. She was doing this exact thing. “Your purse isn’t that big. How can you not find your phone inside it?”
She hands me a stack of receipts. “I just don’t want everything to spill when I pull it out.” She lifts it out, glancing at the screen. “Oh, it’s Erika.” She stands up, pointing to the side. “I’m going to take this call.”
“Go ahead.”
“Hello?” she answers as she walks away.
I glance down at everything I’m holding in my hands and notice the United States Postal Service receipt on top—dated yesterday. My eyes quickly scan the paper while Lacee’s distracted with the phone call. At the bottom of the receipt is a tracking number. That’s exactly what I need.
I check to make sure Lacee’s back is to me, then I pull my phone out and take a picture of the receipt.
“Okay, I’ll see you later.” The call is finishing up, and Lacee’s walking back toward me. “Alright. Bye.” She looks at me. “Erika just wanted to know how things are going.” She reaches for the pile of stuff in my hand.
“I hope you didn’t tell her about Blitzen tackling me,” I say as I hand everything back.
“Of course I did. That was hilarious.” She finishes shoving everything in her purse and then swings her gaze to me. “Are you ready to go with me to our next stop?”
At this point, I’d go with Lacee anywhere…for the job, of course.
No other reason.
SEVENTEEN
LACEE
Easy.
That’s how I would describe my time with Park.
Everything comes easy with him—the conversation, the chemistry, the feelings. For once, it’s nice not to have to work so hard for a connection. One year ago, when I was in the trenches of things with Nicholas, I remember hating how difficult everything was with him. It was exhausting and took a bigger toll on me than I ever realized.
“Are you warm enough?” Park asks, tugging the blanket up over my knees.
“This is a sleigh ride through the mountains.” I smile back at him. “It’s supposed to be cold.”
The icy air slaps me in the face as the sled's runners glide over the powder. There’s probably a red mark on my cheek and frost on my breath, but it’s magical—just how the song describes it.
Rivers.
