Page 51 of Wicked Love

“It’s still beautiful, though.” She surveyed the not-quite white scenery. “Can I watch it fall?”

“You wanna watch the snow fall? From the window?”

“Yeah. Is that a thing? Watching the snowstorm from inside?”

“Snowstorm? Nah. These are just a few snowflakes. Nothing like a storm.”

“Oh.” Grace looked defeated. “I like the snow. It brings me peace. What else do people do when it snows outside?”

“You want to experience a real snow day?”

“Yes.” Joy returned to her face.

“Okay, that we can do,” I said. “Let’s make hot chocolate, bake cookies, put Christmas music on, change into our PJs, and pretend we’re snowed in.”

Sparks shone in her eyes. “And we’re stuck in a cabin in the woods?”

“That’s the idea.”

“Perfect.” Her entire face lit up, and her contagious energy rubbed on me. “I love it. I’ll put music on, and you boil the water.”

Thirty minutes later, we put a batch of molasses cookies into the oven.

“I like playing house with you, Joe. It feels like the kind of day the kid in me should have experienced growing up. Did you do that with your mom? Bake and spend a day in pajamas?”

“Yes. On Christmas Day, we always spent the day baking and playing outside when it snowed. We would visit my grandparents and listen to music all day, dancing and singing.”

“How was she?”

“My mom?”

“Yeah.”

I hadn’t talked about my mother to anyone in a long time. “Pretty. Big eyes, high cheekbones. Her hair was the same color as mine. She always smiled, like her world was the happiest place on Earth. I miss her.” A surge of emotions washed through me. “Thanks for asking. Not a lot of people do.” I remained silent for a moment. “In many ways, you remind me of her. Your eyes. And your heart.”

“I wish I could have met her.”

“She would have loved you.” I took a big inhale. “Enough with the trip down memory lane. Pick a movie. I’ll make some popcorn. I’m gonna give you the best snow day you’ve ever had.”

We sat beside each other, snacking, while the opening scene of a Christmas action movie played on the screen.

“You didn’t wanna watch one of your rom-coms?” I asked Grace.

“Nah. I thought we could do it your way this time.”

“Thanks.” I draped an arm over the backrest of the couch, and after a while, Grace leaned against me.

She made me feel stuff I had locked deep inside a long time ago. She made me feel whole. And calm.

For the first time since my mother died, I felt like love could maybe be an integral part of my life. I was done chasing it away.

All my doubts left me, and I relaxed against her.

Grace cocked her head, and our eyes met. The smile she aimed at me filled me with hope. “Joe, this is the best snow day ever. I’m happy that my first time is with you.”

I planted a kiss on her forehead. “I’m glad we’re doing this together.”

She repositioned her head, and my arm pulled her in.