The holiday party is kind of over, but everyone is still hanging around in shock over what went down. This will be the biggest news to ever hit Snow Hill. Not that we’ll let it get out. We might gossip inside our town, but it stops there. We don’t like outsiders knowing our business.

I think I must be in shock too because I have been in Marco's arms since he caught me seconds before I could hit the cold, hard ground. He doesn’t give a smug I told you so when word gets back that Liza is safe and sound with Crane.

“You doing okay?” Marco asks.

I nod my head that’s resting on his shoulder. He carried me back into the building saying it was too cold for me to be outside in a dress. I hadn’t protested. It’s been nice being in his arms. He’s been holding me close with a firm grip. There is no wiggling out of it. I’ll have to ask for him to let me go eventually. But for now, I let myself just be. For so long, I’ve wondered what it might feel like to be like this with him.

Liza has been my person since I moved to Snow Hills, and to think of losing her almost killed me. She’s the only person that gets me. I’ve got a tough exterior that formed from my childhood, but inside, I can be a softy that loves romance books and cries at Hallmark holiday movies. Doesn’t matter how many times I watch The Family Stone, I cry every time. I’m not talking a few tears either. I turn into a blubbering mess.

Now she has Crane. I wonder if our relationship will change. It will have to. I’m sure she’ll be knocked up and heading down the aisle in no time. With a dating record of zero, I don’t see myself getting that anytime soon. I also don’t think anyone knows I long for that—except Liza, but she’s my romance book hookup.

The smell of Marco is soothing. Outdoorsy is the only word I can think of to describe it. It’s a mix of snow, sun, and pine. My mouth is so close to his neck. If I moved in only a touch, my lips would be on his skin.

Now that I know my best friend is safe, reality starts to creep back in. I’m sitting in Marco’s lap. Not only that, I think he has a hard-on. I shift my ass because I have to be wrong. That’s too big but not big enough to be one of his giant thighs.

“Eve,” Marco grunts. I stop moving. Yeah, that’s his cock. “Ignore it.”

“Ignore it?” I whisper. How does one ignore that?

“You smell good” is his only response before I feel a tug, and Marco pulls my hair out of my ponytail that I always keep it in. It’s easier than having to deal with it.

“What do I smell like?” Curiosity gets the best of me.