Alix shifted uncomfortably. She didn’t want the responsibility of dealing with an emotionally momentous moment. “I probably said all the wrong things—”

“I think you handled it perfectly.”

He stood, legs spread to steady himself on the deep snow, his eyes on Holly. She had a feeling that, if necessary, he would have reached the child in a moment despite the distance.

“You think so?”

“Yes. You were caring, but matter-of-fact. If you hadn’t been, she would have been crying on you now. She’s a brave woman.”

“Brave?”

“Putting herself out there emotionally.” He stooped and picked up a handful of snow in his gloved hand. “Risking rejection. That’s a big deal.”

His comment was related to the conversation about Robyn, so why did she get the feeling he was talking about her? And she realized that even without Holly she wouldn’t have been able to relax. Not with Zac there.

“If you’re thinking of throwing that snow at me, think again.” Unsettled, trying to leave her thoughts behind with the man responsible for them, she walked a little way into the forest. Here the trees rose tall to the sky, their snowy tips cathedral-high. It was like being wrapped in winter.

“Romantic, isn’t it?” His voice came from behind her, deep and full of laughter, and she turned, eyeing the snow in his hand.

“Funnily enough, I don’t have any romantic feelings at all, but that’s probably the company.”

“Oh come on, admit it—” he leaned a little closer “—you didn’t get much sleep last night after that kiss. You were thinking about me.”

“I slept like a baby,” she lied, “and you didn’t so much as cross my mind. Maybe your technique needs work.” This bit of a relationship she could do. The banter. The verbal stalking. The distance.

How did he manage to look so good in outdoor clothing? Although she was grateful for the warmth and insulation, she felt awkward and bulky in the clothes lent to her by Robyn. Zac had his own, of course, and on him they managed to look flattering. His jacket was black with a reflective gray strip along the zipper. He looked tough and a little dangerous. Athletic and strong. Eminently capable of surviving in the most inhospitable conditions.

She tugged at her jacket, feeling like an impostor despite the clothing.

He laughed. “Does that usually work?”

“What?” She’d been so busy looking at his thighs, she’d forgotten what they were talking about.

“Your attempts to freeze a guy out?”

“Always.” She focused on his face instead. “Although, you don’t look particularly frozen out.”

“Ah, but there is one big difference between all the guys you’ve frozen before and me.”

“You’re more annoying? Stubborn? Obtuse?”

“I’m used to surviving in freezing conditions.” He tugged her hood farther over her hair, blocking out the cold. “I’ve studied the properties of ice and snow. It doesn’t scare me. Also, I happen to know that snow and ice melt under certain conditions.”

“Are you suggesting you’re hot enough to melt snow? You don’t think you might be a little overconfident?”