Page 56 of Falling Like Snow

“We’re meant for each other,” I tell my cousin. “I’m taking him home.”

“I’m sure Aunt Naomi would love that,” she jokes. Then she pauses. “Actually, she probably would.”

I turn to find Ellis alone, dressed in her white puffer jacket and stylish cuffed jeans over brown boots. “Where’s Coop?”

Ellis shrugs. “He was hanging with Asher, but he said he’d be here soon.”

“He was? When?”

Cooper was with the same Asher who told me he was too busy to be here today? Mom’s speech rushes back to me. Things will change.

“He went over there a couple hours ago, after he left here. Why?” she asks.

“Just wondering,” I bite out.

“Is everything okay?”

I inhale and plaster on a smile. “Yep.”

I love my cousin, but I don’t feel like getting into it. One Asher conversation is enough for me today.

“All right…”

“What about Fern?” I ask, looking for her stunning friend.

“She’s around here somewhere taking video, probably pretending not to thirst after Jake.” We both chuckle. “What about Hannah and Preeti? Did they come?”

“Please. They’re staying warm and cozy at Preeti’s tonight,” I tell her. “Not even feeding the reindeer could get Hannah to brave the cold.”

“Hey, Sloane!” a voice calls from behind Ellis. I glance back to find Daphne strutting over. Her blue coat hood is pulled up over the black curls framing her face, and knitted white mittens cover her hands as she waves to me.

Unexpected relief crashes into me—relief that she’s not with Asher either.

“Hey, girl,” I say, waving back, refusing to analyze my asinine feelings.

“I’m meeting up with Parker and Sterling to see the lights,” she says, pointing at the entrance to the woods, where a sign Ellis’s mom painted reads WELCOME TO THE BRAMBLE FALLS WINTER WONDERLAND. “You want to come with?”

“Sorry, I can’t.” I hold up the camera around my neck. “I’m volunteering tonight.”

“Oh. Bummer,” Daphne says.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Ellis reaches for the camera. “I can take some pictures while you walk around for a bit.”

“Really? Are you sure?” I ask.

She slips the strap off over my head and puts it around her neck. “Positive. Go have fun.”

Daphne and I head toward the tall propane heater, where I spot our friends huddled together.

“So how’s all the planning been going?” she asks me.

“You know, it hasn’t been all that terrible. My mom has done a lot of it, so I’ve mostly just been stuck with mundane tasks, which is fine. It’s actually been sort of nice.”

“I get that,” Daphne says. “Mindless work is the best work—until it gets boring, anyway.”

“I can use some boring after the Falling Leaves Festival and all the play rehearsals.”

“Oh, for sure. Drama club is fun but exhausting. Still, I can’t wait to find out what the spring musical will be.”