Charlie looked up at him. It felt too good to be true, that this man she had fallen so hard for had the same strong feelings for her—and was willing to forgive. “I still feel like I need to find a way to make it up to you.”

“There’s one thing I’d like to do actually . . . and it feels like it’s been too long since I have.” He leaned down to kiss her. Charlie closed her eyes, losing herself in his kiss. When she opened her eyes again, Jake rubbed his hands up and down her arms and it reminded her of the first time they had kissed, how careful and caring he had been.

“You cold? Should we go in?”

“No, I’m not cold at all. I could stay out here kissing you all night. Like you said, it’s been too long.”

“In that case . . .” He kissed her again and murmured, “Maybe we need to make a promise to each other never to go longer than, I don’t know, an hour? Does that sound reasonable?”

Charlie laughed and put her head against his warm, solid chest. “More than reasonable.” Not so long ago she would have said that the idea of staying in Starlight Peak instead of heading straight back to L.A. the moment the holidays were over was preposterous. But now, she was standing in the arms of a man she cared deeply for, not able to imagine a future without him—and fresh off a call that would give her career a major boost while also allowing her to focus on her personal life. With Jake. Maybe she could have it all.

She pulled back and looked up at the sky above them, visible through the clouds that had just parted. Her heart was pounding—but she was no longer afraid of the depth of her feelings for him. Tonight, it felt like anything was possible.

“What are you looking for?” he asked.

“A star to wish on. Did you know Starlight Peak is the wishing capital of the world?”

“Come on now, you just made that up.”

She winked. “Maybe I did.” Then she grew serious. “But I promise you, Jake—despite the way things started between us, I am always going to be honest with you about everything, from now on.”

“I’m not worried,” he said. “You’d have to work pretty damn hard to tick me off, Charlie Goodwin. You just might be my weak spot. Now, tell me, what were you wishing for?”

“If I tell you, it won’t come true.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him once more. “Speaking of stars, though, we need to get to the Starlight Eve party to set up. Without our bread, it won’t be Christmas in Starlight Peak.”

He laughed, but he kept hold of her hand and gazed into her eyes. “Here’s my Christmas wish: once the party is over, I want you right back in my arms.”

Charlie grinned. “That’s exactly what I wished for.”