Page 81 of A Cozy Kind of Christmas
“You took on that role and owned it. You made it your own. You got really good at it, and then when ESPN came calling, you didn’t question whether you were ready or prepared or good enough—you went for it, and you’ve been crushing it ever since. Meanwhile, I took the safe and steady route.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Meg said, wanting to reassure him. “As Gam says, we all have to find and follow our own path of purpose.”
“Maybe.” He paused briefly and looked over at Lucinda and her dad. “This isn’t my path of purpose, though. I’ve known it for a while now, but I was just too damn scared to admit it, but seeing you this weekend, well, like I said, you held up a mirror for me, and I’m ready to launch off cliff faces and scale mountains with you, Meg Reed. That is, if you’ll take me.”
“I gave up launching off cliff faces a while ago, remember?”
“Metaphorically speaking.” Matt bent down his lips so close to hers she could almost taste them.
She couldn’t wait a second longer.
She reached up, grabbed the back of his head, and pulled him into a kiss.
FIFTY-TWO
JILL
Jill clasped her hand over her mouth and cheered as she watched Matt and Meg kiss. It was the kind of kiss that would make even the hardest of hearts believe in love.
It’s about damn time.
She chuckled to herself and gave them space, moving with the crowd toward the food table.
But her eyes scanned the room.
Where was Owen?
He’d been headed right for her before Matt’s impromptu speech and subsequent confession had taken center stage.
She could have sworn that he looked determined, as if he had something important to say.
But he’d vanished.
Again.
He’d either been swallowed up by the crowd—or worse…maybe he’d changed his mind. Maybe Matt’s impassioned speech had left him with second thoughts.
She did another turn through the room and made her way to the buffet, suddenly famished and out of ideas.
She filled a plate with puffed pastries, slices of thick ham, and cheesy potatoes. She eyed an empty table on the far side of theroom near the dance floor and staked her claim. Johanna and a handsome man Jill recognized from TV joined her.
“Have you seen Meg yet?” Jill asked Johanna pointedly, nodding in the direction where Meg and Matt were still wrapped in each other’s arms.
“Get it, girl.” Johanna squealed and gave Jill a fist bump. “Have you met Connor?”
Jill shook her head as Johanna made introductions. She picked up on a serious spark between the two of them as well. At least her friends were lucky in love. That was enough for her for the moment.
Jill polished off her plate and was about to return for seconds when she heard her name. The MC was saying her name. “Is there a Jill Pettygrove in the house?” The announcer paused for a moment, reading from a slip of paper. “Jill Pettygrove. Jill Pettygrove, you’re needed outside.”
Outside?
Why?
She weaved through the crowd, stopping to grab her coat, and stepped outside. The cold air hit her cheeks and made her suck in a gasp.
But what she saw next took her breath away.
Owen stood on a patch of snow near the entrance to the lodge. He’d spread out a soft red blanket on the ground. Hundreds of white rose petals scattered like snowflakes on the fabric, mingling with flickering LED candles that cast a soft glow on the snow.
