Page 65 of Frost
“Any reason why you haven’t settled down? I love to travel, but I can’t imagine not having somewhere to call home.”
“Nowhere calls to me,” he answers, then glances toward the window. “Or so I thought.”
“Well, if you plan to stay in town for a while, I don’t mind showing you around,” I offer, hoping he’ll say yes. I’ve just met Jack, but he already has me captivated.
“Earlier, I heard someone mention some kind of Christmas village nearby,” he says. “Would you like to check it out with me?”
“I’d love to.”
The Christmas village is only a few blocks away, so we go on foot. The fresh air is nice after being in the crowded bookstore for most of the evening, and while cold, the temperature isn’t unbearable. The snow slows as we walk. The flurries come down gently, and I look up, watching them fall through the glow of the streetlamps.
“Wow,” Jack says when we turn on the sidewalk and the village comes into view, illuminating the dark night with strings of twinkling lights, storefront windows, and fancy lampposts. “It’s pretty.”
Every December, the town decorates the large courtyard at the edge of Main Street. Traveling merchants set up shop inside the fairy-tale-like buildings selling toys, snow globes, and other trinkets. Hot chocolate stands are set up along the path, as well as places to buy roasted chestnuts and deep-fried Oreos. In the center of it all is a massive Christmas tree, the blinking lights giving off a warm glow.
“Looks like they pulled the North Pole and Santa’s workshop out of a children’s book and dumped it here,” Jack says, taking it all in.
“Yeah, it’s more for kids, I guess, but I like coming at least once each year. Do you want something to drink?” I nod to the stand beside us. “They have apple cider and hot chocolate.”
“Cider sounds great.”
“Coming right up.” I go over and buy a cider for him and a hot cocoa for me before turning back around. He’s not where I left him. I glance around the area, not seeing him in the crowds of people. “Jack?”
And then I catch sight of pale blond hair moving through the crowd. I walk through the swarm of happy families and find Jack off to the side of the path in front of decorated Christmas trees.
“Thought I lost you,” I say, handing him the cider. I take a drink of my hot chocolate. It has a perfect balance of creamy, chocolatey, and sweet.
“Sorry. I got distracted by something shiny.”
I laugh and look ahead at an archway with peppermint posts on each side.
“Winter Wonderland,” Jack reads the sign. “Should we go inside?”
“Why not?” I smile at the excited gleam in his blue eyes and step forward, passing under the archway.
The narrow path is big enough for us to walk side by side, though it’s a snug fit. Our shoulders brush together as we stroll through the forest of Christmas trees, icicle lights, and lit-up inflatables of Santa, Frosty the Snowman, elves, and even one of Jack Frost. We stop in front of that one.
“A jutted chin, big nose, and pointed ears.” Jack tilts his head as he examines the blowup. “I kind of picture him differently. Younger. More handsome.”
“Me too.” However, it’s not the inflatable that holds my attention. Jack’s eyes seem to sparkle as he takes in the sights, and pink colors his cheeks from the cold air nipping at his porcelain skin. My heart beats faster, and despite the winter night, my palms get kind of sweaty. “I feel like I’ve met you before today.”
He turns to me, and the glow of the surrounding lights reflect in his eyes. “It’s strange.”
“What is?”
“I feel like something drew me here,” Jack says. “When I saw your book in the display window, my body acted before my brain could catch up. I was in that store in a second flat, searching.”
“Searching for what?”
He softly smiles. “For you, I think.”
I act on impulse. I slide a hand to the side of his neck and bring our lips together. Jack emits a soft moan before placing a hand on my hip. He tastes like apples and spice as our mouths meet again and again. Kissing him feels so right, like I’ve done it a million times.
And then it happens.
Images swarm my mind. Memories I’d forgotten.
I see Jack standing against a glaring white background of snow, holding out a hand to me. I hear him laughing as he soars through the air, then smiling after telling me to open my eyes. Other memories hit me next, ones of him sighing as I kiss his neck, him whimpering as we make love in the warm pool in his cave.
