“Fucking hell,” I say under my breath as I take in the room. Wood panelled walls. A huge open fireplace. Cute Christmassy decor!
Juniper drops my hand, bounding over to greet the barista, and for a second I’m lost without her, but then I spot a pile of blankets by the seats at the front window.
I squeeze Ethan’s hand and point. “They have blankets!”
He smirks.
“It’s so cosy!” I put a hand over my heart. I think I might actually be in love.
And it’s fine. We made it out of the cabin. We made it here. And the spell hasn’t broken. I blink back tears. Bloody hell. I have never felt so much at once.
“What do you guys want?” Juniper hollers to us, as if, unlike me, she doesn’t have a care in the world.
I grin back at her. “Something festive!” I look to Ethan and catch the very end of an eyeroll. Sure. He can try and play it cool, but I know he’s loving this place as much as I am.
We join Juniper at the wooden counter, and the barista, Alice—as per her name badge—smiles cheerily back at us. Hmm… I bet she can tell we’re tourists from a snowy mountain mile away.
“Peppermint mocha?” She raises an eyebrow, and I nod enthusiastically. She’s teeny, and blonde, and suspiciously elf-like, and maybe I am dreaming after all? Maybe I bumped my head and ended up in Santa’s workshop, where all my Christmas wishes are coming true …
She nods, turning to Ethan next. “And for you?”
He clears his throat. “I’ll have um …” He gazes at the chalkboard behind her, perusing the menu in all its sweet, swirling calligraphy.
Juniper nudges him, and it gives me butterflies seeing them together like this. Comfortable. Free. She reaches up to whisper in his ear, and I’m not even jealous. I’m … hot for them both.
I like this dream. A lot.
He nods. “I’ll have the um … dirty chai latte?”
Alice grins at him. “Two dirty chais and a peppermint mocha, coming up!”
“Thanks, Al.” Juniper slaps a few bills down then pushes them across the counter.
“Juniper!” I turn to Ethan, then back to her again. “We—”
“It’s fine.” She winks at me and I go weak at the knees. “My treat.”
I heave a sigh. “We owe you one.”
Juniper gives a nod to the barista then turns back to me. “Oh, I’m sure you can make it up to me somehow.”
Alice swiftly spins around to face the coffee machine but doesn’t quite manage to stifle her smile as she does so.
“You”—I lower my voice, frowning in mock outrage—“are a cheeky sausage.”
Juniper cackles. “Now,thatis the most English thing anyone has ever called me!”
I march over to the table by the front window. Juniper slides in beside me, and Ethan takes the seat opposite.
We all look over as the door springs open once more and a man strolls in with an insanely beautiful and insanely massive Saint Bernard.
“That’s it.” I roll up my sleeve and lay my bare arm across the table. “Pinch me. I am definitely dreaming.”
Alice brings over our coffees, and we melt into our seats as we sip.
Perfection.
“So …” Juniper sips her latte, and I cannot stop staring at her mouth. Damn. “Mia?”
