Page 36 of Lone Wolf in Lights
“How about you leave that decision up to me, hmm?” he countered, offering his glove-covered hand to her.
She laughed softly, shaking her head. “Okay.”
He smiled when she took it, and he led her into the heart of Wolf Springs’s Winter Wonderland.
“Look at this place,” she murmured.
“Every year it gets better,” Eli said. “Like I said, I’m not much of a city person, but this is something they definitely get right.”
Christmas music drifted from hidden speakers, filling the space between the laughter and chatter of families and couples. Ahead, people skated on an ice rink with a large decorated Christmas tree in the center.
As they strolled past the food trucks decked out in festive decorations, the tempting smell of sizzling meat filled the chilly night air. “Feeling hungry for a bratwurst?” he asked with a grin.
She nodded eagerly. “I haven’t had street meat in forever.”
“Trust me, you haven’t lived until you’ve tried one from here.” He winked at her, enjoying the flush of excitement on her cheeks as they approached the stand.
“Three bratwursts, please,” Eli ordered, handing over a couple of bills to the vendor who accepted the order with a nod. The flames licked the brats, and Eli’s mouth watered.
“Thank you,” Willow said as she accepted the sausage wrapped in a paper napkin, her breath forming tiny clouds in the chilly night air. He couldn’t take his eyes off her at the way her nose scrunched up slightly as she took her first cautious bite, then her eyes lighting up with approval.
“Good, huh?” he asked.
“Delicious,” she confirmed, her voice muffled by another eager bite.
“Wait right here,” he said with a finger raised. “I’ve got one more thing.”
A few paces away, under the soft glow of a string of lights, a hot chocolate stand beckoned. He returned quickly with two steaming cups, the rich chocolatey scent mingling with the crispness of the winter air.
“Here, this will warm you up,” he said, handing her one of the cups.
“Perfect.”
Her smile hit him like a physical blow, but in the best possible way. He couldn’t help feeling a bit foolish that it took Aubrey’s straight talk to finally make this night happen, where being together wasn’t pretend, but real. Although he would never be happy about Buck’s sister’s text and comment, he had to admit that pretending to be Willow’s boyfriend was what brought them together for this moment.
Andthis momentfelt damn good.
He didn’t want to make any mistakes. But he didn’t want to pretend anymore that he wanted to do things with her. He liked spending time with Willow, as friends, or anything she damn wanted.
They wandered further into the park, finding a secluded bench beneath a canopy of twinkling lights that was covered with thick cushions, heaters installed above providing a comforting warmth. Settling down, he ate his two sausages in the same time she finished her one, as they watched the ice skaters, wonderful memories filling his mind.
“Used to come here every year, my mom and sister and I,” Eli shared breaking the comfortable silence between them. “It was our thing, you know? No matter how busy we got, we made time for this. My mom loved Christmas.”
“Sounds like a nice tradition,” Willow said softly, her gaze meeting his. “My mom makes Christmas a really big thing too. They’re coming to town for this Christmas. It’ll be nice to have them here.”
“I bet it will be.” His heart thumped heavily, a mixture of sweet memories and lingering pain.
“Did your sister like Christmastime too?” Willow asked, after a sip from her cup.
“She loved it all, especially baking cookies,” he explained, stretching his arm across the back of the bench. “She would’ve liked you.”
“Can you tell me about her?” Willow asked gently.
It almost felt like Miranda was there next to him, urging him to let Willow in. “She was...vibrant. Always laughing.” His gut tightened, but he pushed through the emotion, wanting Willow to know his life. “She would always wake me up at the crack of dawn for Christmas morning, no matter how old she got. I always tried to ignore her, but she’d jump on me until I got up so we could open presents.” He laughed, warmth filling him at the memory.
“Sounds like she was a special person,” Willow murmured.
“Beyond special.” Eli cleared his throat, focusing on the skaters twirling below them. “It’s tragic what happened to her.”
