Page 3 of Falling Like Snow

“The sauce does. The cafeteria lady at school said so. We’ve discussed it several times.”

“Somehow that doesn’t surprise me.”

I shift onto my knees and turn to the window behind us, pushing it open and sticking my head out into the blustery cold night. The moon plays hide-and-seek behind the puffy gray clouds floating in front of endless sparkling stars. It’s the perfect night.

Asher squeezes through next to me. “Uh, why are we sticking our heads out the window?”

“Because it’s almost December!” I sniff the air and shoot him a giant grin. The day after Thanksgiving is one of my favorite days of the year because it unofficially marks the beginning of my favorite season—winter.

“Sloane, no,” he says, the corner of his mouth twitching. “For the hundredth time, you are not Lorelai Gilmore. You cannot smell snow.”

I lift my chin. “I refuse to accept that. And snow is coming. Call it a sixth sense.”

He shakes his head at me. “This time of year is mostly cold and rainy. Not snowy.”

“Have I ever been wrong?”

Now he lets himself smile, his eyes crinkling in the corners. “No, you have not.”

“Exactly.”

“It’s called luck. And don’t forget it often runs out.” He ducks his head back inside.

“I’m not even dignifying that with a response,” I say, crawling in after him. I close the window, bury myself under the comforter with Asher, and nestle against his arm to absorb his warmth as if he’s a space heater.

Every year, Bramble Falls hosts the Falling Leaves Festival, two months packed full of fall-themed activities. But this year, after videos of the events blew up online, we added an extra weekend in November. And now that the delightful-but-exhausting festivities have concluded, and the drama club’s fall production has also ended—meaning no more long rehearsals for me—and the stress of Thanksgiving preparations and the overstimulating day of socializing are both over, this is literally all I want to do: nothing.

Because although I’m a total people person and I love helping Mom plan Bramble Falls events, sometimes a girl needs a break. Which is what December is for—lounging around with Asher, watching movies, sleeping in until noon on the weekends, listening to holiday music, and soaking in the general merriment of the winter season.

And, of course, going to New York City for the first time.

Asher yawns. “I should probably head out.”

“But I’m warm,” I say, pouting.

“I can tuck you into bed if you want,” he jokes.

“Shut up. I am not a child.”

“No, you just want me to sit here and stare at the wall all night so you can use me for my heat.”

“Of course not. That’d be rude,” I say. “I’d let you stare at the TV.”

Asher laughs and shakes me off as he stands.

“Fiiiine,” I concede, following him to the front door.

He slips on his boots and his coat and faces me. “See you tomorrow?”

“Naturally.” I open the front door for him and shiver at the trespassing cold air. “Now get out of here before I get hypothermia.”

“So bossy.”

“Toodles.” I wave at him, practically pushing him out the door. “And happy first day of winter!”

“Unofficial first day of winter,” he says.

“Whatever, Scrooge. Let me know when you’re home safe.”