Frostbite

“Stay,” he insists with a soft kiss to my mouth. “I won’t be gone long. I’m on the board of an art exhibition for teens set to launch next summer. We’re meeting today to firm up some of the details.”

His generosity knows no limits. He’s proven time and time again that he’s not the selfish man I met on the sidewalk when snow draped the city.

“When I get back, I want to talk.”

“About?” I ask hesitantly.

“Us,” he answers succinctly. “There’s something here that feels rare. I don’t know if it’s the same for you. I realize you had plans to move to Amsterdam, and maybe I’m jumping ahead of myself, but…”

I interrupt him with a kiss on the mouth. “It’s the same. Let’s talk about us tonight.”

His hand moves to cup my cheek before he gives me another kiss. This one is longer. His touch is softer. “I’ll be back in a few hours.”

“I’ll be gone by then,” I say. “There’s something important I need to take care of today. I’m going to call Eleni. I need to. I don’t care about the money, but I trusted her and she needs to know that she shattered that.”

His eyes search mine for a clue. “If you need backup, I’m an Uber ride away.”

“I need to handle this alone.” I straighten. “It’s important that I do.”

With one last press of his lips to my forehead, he closes his eyes. “You’re my favorite person, Raelyn.”

I bite back my emotions as I close my eyes too. “You’re mine.”Chapter 25CalderI spent the day spreading cheer in the world. That’s a first for me. Instead of rushing around Manhattan frustrated with all the people getting in my way, I smiled at everyone I passed.

I bought coffee for a group of college kids who stopped by their favorite café to load up on caffeine.

Then, I did something that I swore I never would do. I watched my grandpa do it when I was a nine-year-old kid. Christmas was approaching, and instead of giving gifts to my older brother Lennox, Magnolia, and me, he took us down to the grocery store and made us watch him pay for other people’s food.

At the time, I was angry with him.

I wanted a building block set, but he wanted my siblings and me to understand that fate doesn’t cast the same shadow on everyone.

Lennox got the message loud and clear. He used the good that thrives within him to keep the tradition going. Somewhere in this city, he’s probably standing in a grocery store, wearing an expensive suit, and playing Santa to everyone.

He’s a lawyer with the heart of a saint.

Magnolia and I are still getting there. I’m determined to be a better person because I want Raelyn to be proud of me.

That’s not to say that I haven’t sprinkled my wealth around and planted a few seeds in the form of scholarships or donations to worthwhile charities. But, there’s a different peace that settles inside someone when they help a stranger who is down on their luck.

I turn the key in my studio’s lock, hoping that Rae made it back before me. For someone who craved solace a few weeks ago, I never want to be alone again.

I need to temper that need. If I come at Raelyn with the full force of my emotions, I’ll scare her the fuck away.

I slide the door open and blink twice.

This can’t possibly be real.

A Christmas tree is set up in the middle of my studio. It’s decorated with sparkling white lights. I step in and slide the door shut behind me.

Music is playing softly. It’s a Christmas carol that I recognize from the days I used to sing it with my family before opening gifts and diving into our feast.

My gaze shifts to Raelyn.

She’s standing next to the tree. She’s dressed in red. It’s not the pantsuit she had on the night we were formally introduced. This is a dress. The fabric shimmers as the lights from the tree bounce off it.

I approach her with measured, heavy steps. With her arms outstretched, she walks toward me. We meet halfway as I pick her up and spin her in a circle. The skirt of her dress floats around her legs.

“You look like an angel, Rae.”

Her eyes flutter shut before she opens them again. “I hope this is all right?”

Glancing around the studio, I see a table set with a white cloth, two tall white candles, plates, wine glasses, and a pizza box in the middle.

“Dexie told me that’s the best pizza in Brooklyn.” She scrunches her nose. “I may have had a sample bite. I think she’s right.”

Laughing, I kiss her softly. “I can’t believe you did all of this.”

“We’re celebrating.” She moves to slide my jacket off. “Get comfortable, Calder.”

“How comfortable?” I perk a brow.