11. Aiden

CHAPTER 11

Aiden

Morning crept in softly, the pale light slipping through the thin curtains. My eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, I wasn’t sure where I was. The rough texture of the blanket wrapped snugly around me felt foreign. Then it clicked—the chalet. Levi.

Memories from the night before rushed in, vivid and warm. Decorating the tree. Laughter. The kind that bubbled up from somewhere deep, like my vocal chords hadn’t been used in a long time. It reminded me of the times I’d spent with Nicholas and Mom, stringing popcorn garlands, singing along to her off-key versions of Christmas carols. She’d always let me put the star on top, even when I was too small to reach without help.

And the book Paige had found. The Littlest Christmas Tree. My chest had tightened at the sight of it, the memories crashing down like a tidal wave. Mom used to read that to me almost every night during the holidays. Her voice, soft and steady, made the words feel like magic.

I pulled the blanket tighter around me, inhaling deeply to ground myself. Levi’s mom hugged me last night. A real, solid hug. At first, I’d stiffened, unsure what to do. It had been so long since anyone touched me like that. Not since the morning Mom left for her shift, kissing my forehead and squeezing me tight before stepping out the door for the last time. I’d leaned into Levi’s mom’s hug eventually, and it had nearly broken me. I’d almost let go right there in her living room, the realization of just how touch-starved I was slamming into me.

And when Levi offered to read to me? Oh my god, oh my god! It was like I’d discovered Paradise. But I’d been self-conscious about it. Was he being genuine? Didn’t he find it weird that a grown man would want to be read to… like he was a little boy? Oddly enough, Levi didn’t seem to mind, and it looked like he enjoyed doing it too. I couldn’t help but feel connected to him in some way, and unwittingly, I drew nearer and nearer to him because I didn’t want to miss a word he said with those sexy lips of his.

A sound pulled me back to the present. Pots clanking softly, the low hum of movement. And the smell… bacon. Coffee, rich and earthy, mixed with the faint sweetness of pancakes or maybe waffles. It had to be Levi.

Dragging myself out of bed, I made my way to the bathroom. The cold tiles underfoot were a sharp contrast to the warmth of the bed, but the hot shower quickly chased away the chill. I let the water wash over me, rinsing away the remnants of sleep and the weight of yesterday’s memories. After brushing my teeth, I pulled on a hoodie and sweats, feeling fresh and somewhat ready to face the day.

The kitchen came into view as I stepped out. Levi was there, his back to me, wearing a plain black t-shirt that hugged his shoulders and faded jeans that sat just right on his hips. His hair was damp, like he’d showered earlier, and it curled slightly at the ends. The sight of him standing there, working with quiet efficiency, made something stir in my chest—something warm and dangerous.

“You’re up early,” Levi said without turning, his voice carrying an easy warmth.

“Could say the same about you. Smells good.” I slid onto one of the stools at the counter, watching as he flipped a pancake with practiced ease.

“Hope you’re hungry.” He slid a plate in front of me piled with pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs. “Coffee?”

I nodded, reaching for the mug he placed near my plate. Our hands brushed briefly, and I felt it again—the spark that had been flickering between us since I arrived.

“You didn’t have to go all out,” I teased, taking a bite. “Trying to impress me?”

Levi smirked, leaning against the counter. “Maybe. Is it working?”

I huffed a laugh, but the truth settled somewhere deep: it was absolutely working. Every little thing he did—the way he moved, the way he’d created this space that felt safe and warm—made it harder to ignore the pull I felt toward him.

When I reached for my coffee, I had to lean slightly across him. Our shoulders brushed, and I stayed there a beat longer than necessary. He didn’t move, and the air around us seemed to hum.

“You know,” I said, trying to keep my tone light, “if you keep taking care of me like this, people might start to talk. Next thing I know, you’ll be calling me ‘Little.’”

Levi’s eyebrows shot up, and his mouth curved into a slow grin. “Would that be so bad?”

Heat crept up my neck, and I took a sip of coffee to hide it. The comment had been a joke… mostly. But his response hung in the air, heavier than I’d expected.

“I’m not used to it,” I admitted after a moment. “Having someone… look out for me. I’ve been doing it on my own for so long. After my mom died, it was just me and Nicholas. He did his best, but we were kids, you know? I learned early not to rely on anyone. Safer that way.”

Levi didn’t say anything right away. He just leaned forward, resting his forearms on the counter, his gaze steady and unwavering. “I get that it’s not easy to feel safe enough to rely on someone else.” The sincerity in his voice was almost too much. I looked away, focusing on the plate in front of me. “But I think there comes a time when we have to take the risk, and let in someone who’s proven we can trust them.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I wasn’t sure whether to thank him or tell him to back off, to mind his business. But before I could decide, he shifted, leaning in slightly, his face closer to mine than it had any right to be. Our knees brushed under the counter, and that spark from before grew into a steady flame.

The space between us seemed to shrink on its own. His eyes flicked to my mouth, and I could’ve sworn the world held its breath. My pulse pounded in my ears, and I leaned in without thinking, drawn to the magnetic pull between us. His breath fanned warm against my cheek, carrying the faint scent of coffee and something distinctly him. His presence overwhelming. My lips parted, the words unspoken—unneeded.

Then hesitation clawed at me, like a cold wind cutting through the heat. Doubt crept in, whispering warnings I couldn’t ignore. Was I really about to fall for someone like Levi? A man tied to this town, his roots and dreams planted firmly in the soil here? I’d been saving for years, dreaming of something bigger—of leaving Juniper Hollow behind, traveling from one place to the next, untethered and free. Falling for Levi felt like willingly tying myself down to a life I didn’t want, to a place where I couldn’t stay.

The weight of everything—what this could mean, what it could change—pressed down on me. Levi didn’t move right away, his gaze searching mine as though he could read the battle raging inside me.

Then he leaned back fully, putting just enough space between us to breathe, and the moment slipped away. My chest felt tight, like I’d just lost something I hadn’t realized I wanted so badly.