I try not to laugh. “You both watch too many holiday movies.”
I’m not even sure how he even convinced me to go on this date.
“Correction—I watch the right amount of holiday movies, which is all of them. And this…” Maeve gestures at me, at the already slightly festive chaos of my room, “…this is the setup. You’re the small-town girl who’s been through too much, and he’s the emotionally damaged boy learning the meaning of love again. Tell me I’m wrong.”
“You’re insane.”
“Maybe.” She smirks, hopping off the bed and rifling through my closet as if she lives here. “But I’m also right. Now, what are we thinking? Cozy-sweater chic? Or I’m-so-hot-he’s-gonna-trip-on-the-sidewalk hot?”
I raise a brow. “You do realize this is in public, right?”
She gives me a wicked grin. “Exactly my point.”
“You’ve got to use every opportunity to your advantage,” Dakota adds. “Life is a fashion show.”
I shake my head at both of them, making my way to the closet. Letting them both fuss over my clothes like I’m their own personal doll.
Eventually, we settle on a soft cream sweater dress, black tights, paired with my favorite knee-high boots. Dakota insists on adding a long camel coat and a scarf that matches my gloves, because “fashion matters even in freezing temperatures.”
When I finish my makeup, Maeve and Dakota lean against the doorway, arms crossed and looking entirely too pleased with themselves.
“Perfect,” Dakota says. “Now all you need is snow falling at exactly the right cinematic moment and a kiss under some mistletoe, and boom—award-winning holiday romance.”
Dakota and Maeve pretend to act out the scene and burst into giggles.
I roll my eyes but smile anyway. “You really think that’s how tonight’s going to go?”
Maeve grins. “Babe, I’m manifesting it.”
Dakota fusses with the hem of my sweater for the third time.
“It’s California, it doesn’t snow here.” I laugh.
A knock sounds on the door before I can respond. Maeve’s grin widens like she’s been waiting for her cue. “That’ll be your leading man.”
I want to drop my face into my hands, but I know I’ll get scolded.
She pulls the door open before I can stop her.
Jace stands there in the hall. He’s swapped his usual dark layers for a crisp wool coat, open to reveal a dark red sweater that looks far too good on him. His hair is styled effortlessly and the faint scent of his cologne drifts in with him.
His gaze slides to me like a heat-seeking missile, running over my outfit before it returns to my face. “Ready?”
I nod, suddenly aware of my own pulse. “Yeah.”
Dakota gives me a little shove toward the door. “Don’t keep him waiting.”
Jace offers his arm, a ghost of a smirk tugging at his mouth when I take it. “Come on.”
“Use protection!” Maeve calls after us. Maeve and Dakota cackle. I shoot them a look over my shoulder.
“Those two are ridiculous,” I mumble. Jace gives my hand a squeeze with an amused smile.
We move through the quiet halls, our footsteps softened by the thick rugs. Most of the household staff have retired for the evening, and the air holds that peaceful stillness that comes when a big house finally goes quiet.
Instead of heading toward the grand dining room, Jace leads me out through one of the side doors. The cold night air hits instantly, our breaths misting in the light from the lanterns strung along the garden path.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
