She didn’t pull away as he’d expected with how distant he’d been since his grandmother’s death. Instead, she turned and wrapped her arms around his neck. “What if I told you the snowmen were a ruse to have an excuse to see you alone?”

He stilled. There was no way she’d make an effort like that, not for someone like him.

“Alone,” she continued, leaning in to place a gentle kiss on his jaw. She breathed deeply, as if she craved the scent of him. “And with a big bed just up the stairs.”

“What about Princess?” Gabe remained completely still, afraid to break the connection between them or remind her in some way that he didn’t deserve her attention or her affection.

“She’s settled in. Sleeps every night at the foot of Drew’s bed. He’s her person,” she told him with a small smile.

“You’re mine,” he said, his voice hoarse.

She laughed low in her throat. “You just compared yourself to a dog.”

He made a growling noise and then lifted her into his arms. “I’ll be whatever you need,” he told her as he carried her up to his room, hoping that would be enough.

ANGI STOOD IN the center of the old factory and spun in a slow circle, hardly able to believe what they’d pulled off in the space. It truly looked like something even Santa would be proud of—colorful lights, boughs of holly adorning the walls, along with the snowmen families placed as centerpieces on the tables that surrounded the dance floor. The band stood on the stage that Gabe had found, tuning instruments. She could see people crowding around the hot chocolate bar and enjoying steaming bowls of chili and soup from the food truck that had set up shop in the parking lot.

They had created a winter wonderland.

She turned at the sound of a joyful squeal. Carrie and Dylan stood near the entrance, the graceful artist’s big gray eyes wide with wonder.

“It’s better than I imagined,” Carrie said as she rushed toward Angi.

“Slowly,” Dylan said, placing a gentle hand on her arm.

“You came.” Angi was shocked and delighted. “I thought...”

“Just for a few minutes,” Carrie said. Color infused her cheeks, but there were still dark circles shadowing her eyes. On the few occasions Angi had seen or talked to the other woman, Carrie downplayed her illness, but Dylan wasn’t shy about making sure everyone knew that his wife should be called only in an outright emergency due to her focus on staying healthy.

“I’m fine, Dylan.” She looked at the haughty developer with such tenderness it made Angi’s breath catch in her throat.

That’s what she wanted in a relationship. Someone she could look at with unabashed adoration. A man she didn’t have to make up excuses—like an entire snowman craft project—to see.

“I think you’ve started a tradition,” Carrie said, turning to Angi. “The town is going to expect a holiday dance every year.”

“We’re raising money for a great cause,” Angi answered. “And it wasn’t too much trouble.”