Page 48 of Hot Times in Heart Falls, Vignettes Vol 3

Instead, he pressed a gloved hand to Edison’s cheek, leaned in slowly, and kissed him.

The flash went off the exact second their lips met.

Edison fluttered his lashes. “We’re going to look like a couple on the cover of a romance novel.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” Kevin grinned. “I’d be proud to model with you.”

The answering heart-in-eyes was clear enough.

They took a few more photos—silly poses, serious ones, one with Kevin impulsively lifting Edison bridal-style, which nearly ended in both of them face-first in the snow.

Finally, Edison reached out and wrapped his arms tight around Kevin’s waist. “I like this,” he said softly.

Kevin rested his forehead against Edison’s. “Me too.”

A long moment passed. The kind where time slows down, where Kevin felt as if he could stay right there forever. With the snow falling and Edison wrapped around him because nothing else mattered.

But then Edison’s arms tensed slightly. He leaned back with something in his eyes that looked suspiciously like nerves.

“As much fun as this is,” he said, clearing his throat, “we should head in. I promised Yvette I’d taste test her new cranberry punch and pretend not to notice how much rum is in it.”

Kevin nodded. “Lead the way.”

They brushed snow from each other’s coats and headed toward the front doors of the fire hall. As they walked, Edison slipped his hand into Kevin’s and held on tight.

Inside, warmth hit them in a rush along with the smell of turkey, chocolate, and cookies. Christmas lights ran across the ceiling in zigzag patterns. Someone had hung tinsel along the beams. A small stage had been set up at the back, with a mic and speakers. Music played softly in the background, some classic crooner version of “Let It Snow.”

People were gathered in clusters all around them. Edison waved, and at least six smiling attendees waved back in the first ten seconds.

Kevin knew most of the Heart Falls residents now, at least by sight. He nodded at Brooke and Mack by the dessert table, exchanged smiles with Declan and Sydney, and spotted Ryan and Maddy setting out extra chairs.

Brad was by the buffet, arguing with Alex about whose meatballs smelled better. The two of them both wore appropriately ugly sweaters for the evening, although Alex’s was decidedly brighter—his sweater glowed like an underwater aquarium lit with spotlights. It was as bright as if an entire string of Christmas lights were tangled around his torso.

Brad’s sweater glistened in the lights, covered with way more glitter than was probably safe near an open buffet.

Edison leaned in. “Want to take bets on when the sweater competition starts?”

“Hopefully before we go blind from the flashing lights?”

“He’s committed,” Edison said solemnly. “You have to respect the hustle.”

They were almost to the coat rack when Kevin stopped. His surprise was ready. Carefully chosen. Maybe even perfect.

But he didn’t want to give it to Edison in the middle of the coat line.

Edison, still holding his hand, glanced back with a questioning smile. “You okay?”

Kevin squeezed once, grounding himself in the feeling of Edison’s glove against his own. “I’m great.”

The best he’d been in years. Better than great.

Because somewhere between the first delivery on Thursday and the moment they stood here now, hand in hand beneath blinking Christmas lights and surrounded by people who made them feel like family, Kevin had stopped worrying about whether Edison was too bright, too much, too dazzling for someone like him.

He’d realized that Edison was exactly what he wanted. Exactly what he needed.

And Kevin would do whatever it took to make sure Edison knew it. Even if it meant fully embracing his rainbow side—with glitter on his scarf and love in his actions.

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