Page 150 of Thaw My Heart

Listening to her talk about her dreams fills my heart with joy. Except I can’t stop the sadness from building in my chest. The difference between our lives is as stark as day and night.

Averie’s cheeks suddenly flush bright pink. She tucks a lock of hair behind her ear, fidgeting in her seat. I turn to see the cause of the change in her, finding Ryker grinning at her from across the crowd.

“So…” I start, playing with the candy cane in my hand. “Do you have plans to do something about that?”

“I don’t know what you mean,” she tries to deflect.

I level my eyes at her. “You. Having the hots for Ryker.”

She chokes on her candy cane. “That’s crazy.”

She’s such a liar, and I’m about to call her bluff. “Why don’t I just call him over here, then? We can⁠—”

Averie grabs my hand before I can signal. “Alright, fine. Yes, okay. Yes.” She fiddles with the silver rings on her finger. “I like his mustache, okay. But that’s all.”

My smile grows wider. “Cute.”

She sighs. “He’s not my type, Sadie. My type is Josh.”

“Josh… right. But is that what you really want?” She’s no stranger to my dislike of her current boyfriend.

“Josh is what I need,” she quips. “We’re similar people with similar dreams.” Her eyes follow Ryker through the crowd. “Ryker doesn’t fit in my world.”

Though I understand her reasoning, there’s a part of me that feels like I don’t either. Perhaps it’s easier to convince herself that she feels nothing for him, and I understand that, too. “You’re not going to forget about me when you become a big star, are you?”

She laughs, squeezing my hand. “Of course not. Don’t be ridiculous. My life would suck without you.”

“Good,” I smile, hoping she means those words.

As soon as the sun sets behind the mountains, the town mayor commences the tree lighting ceremony, and we all watch as it lights up brightly in the night. Colorful lights glimmer like incandescent stars as soft snow falls from the sky, brushing my nose as Kit pulls me in for a kiss.

He smiles against my mouth, whispering I love you, and my body melts in his arms. Those three words used to scare me, drown me in my past hurt, but hearing them now feels like being resurfaced. And I know that my heart will always be safe with his.

After the ceremony, we find ourselves following the crowd to Elkhorn Tavern to continue the celebration. Jax and Averie take the lead, conversing on the way like old friends. When we approach the tavern, Kit grumbles when a familiar mechanical Santa greets us.

“Still?” After all this time, he still hates that Santa.

“He’s creepy. I don’t know why everyone likes him,” he huffs.

I burst out laughing, grabbing his arm to lead him into the bar before he decides to harm that adorable decoration. “Come on, Cowboy.”

Elkhorn Tavern is overflowing with beer and laughter.

Hudson is on the floor dancing with Kinley. Sierra is dancing with Wes, and Leah is dancing with a cowboy I don’t recognize. We drink and sit around a large wooden table with Averie, Blake, Candace, and Ryker. My brother is currently at the bar, flirting with cowgirls.

For the last half-hour, Candace has been pretending that she hasn’t been ogling Blake. I make eyes at her from across the table, gesturing from her to Blake, to the dance floor, hoping she gets my signal. She’s red-faced and fidgety, trying to hide behind her luscious red curls, shaking her head. Too embarrassed to try.

Guess it’s up to me to make this happen.

I bump Kit’s shoulder. “Let’s dance.” He smiles, offering his hand. Before we walk away, I place a hand on Blake’s shoulder. “Blake, you should dance with Candace.”

Blake seems confused by my words, but then something in him changes, and he seems intrigued. Candace looks mortified, but it’s all for a good cause, and I know that Blake will dance with her. He just needs the opportunity. And she just needs the shove.

Blake’s gaze drifts to hers. He warmly smiles, offering his rough hand for hers. “What do you say, Sunshine?”

Sunshine? I ship them already. My eyes are practically beaming, and I’m grinning so hard my face hurts. Internally screaming for her to take his hand.

“I um… I’m sure there are other women you’d rather dance with,” Candace murmurs.