“Ready to get our tree, beautiful?”

“What do you think?” She tugged him toward the table where they were handing out tags to put on the tree they selected. The staff would cut down their tree as they enjoyed everything else the farm had to offer. She’d been anxiously awaiting this moment ever since Quincy had said they were going there, and she was too excited to walk.

“Come on!” She ran down a row, swiping her hand along the branches of the trees, sending the snow on them raining down. “Do you want a big tree or a small one? Fat or skinny? I think the sign said they had different types, too. Do you know anything about trees? Should we get one for your place and one for mine?”

He laughed and swept her into his arms, grinning from ear to ear. “I want this, baby—you, this happy and by my side, every single day.”

He kissed her hard and possessive, which turned slow and spine-tinglingly sensual, and just when she was sure they’d melt the snow beneath their feet, he pulled away, leaving her heart full and her knees weak.

“I’ll buy you as many trees as you want,” he said. “Where do you want to wake up Christmas morning?”

Her head was still swimming in his declaration, but she managed, “In your arms.”

“God, woman.” He touched his forehead to hers and said, “You’re killing me. I want that, too. Do you want trees at both of our places?”

“Not necessarily. We spend more time at yours, and I like being there. It feels more like home.”

“One tree it is.”

They sealed their decision with another kiss, and as they walked hand in hand, she told herself not to get carried away by this new level of togetherness, but it was hard not to when she wanted him by her side every day, too.

They took their time going up and down the rows, trying to pick out a tree, but none felt perfect.

“This one’s nice,” Quincy said, pointing to a massive tree that was at least a foot taller than him.

She wrinkled her nose and said, “It feels overdone, like that one guy in every high school who’s the star of everything, his hair is too perfect, and his teeth are too straight.”

Quincy chuckled. “It doesn’t sound like I missed much.”

“Actually, I wish you’d had a chance to go through high school because you like learning so much. But if you had gone, you’d probably have had a zillion girlfriends, and one of them would have wrangled you into marriage by the time you were twenty-one. You’d have two kids by now, and I’d see you down the aisle in the grocery store where I’d stopped on my way home after a solo dance performance, and our eyes would meet. My heart would go absolutely crazy for the blue-eyed guy who looked like he had a heart of gold. But you, Mr. Loyal Gritt, would have given me a friendly, but not flirty, smile and gone on your way, buying puppy chow—because you’d definitely have a puppy—kid-friendly foods, and probably something special for your wife—who, by the way, would be smart, and loving, and everything you’ve ever dreamed of.”