14. Good Timing

14

Good Timing

Zane

Who knew snow tubing could be this fun? The tubing hill is full of tourists—mostly kids—but the way Ivy lights up when she slides down the lane is a reward in itself. We’re going up again, and she bugs me to ride on a double tube with her because it’ll slide faster with two people.

“I thought you hated speed,” I say with a grunt.

“I don’t hate speed. I just don’t like when moving vehicles—or rides—go too fast. Tubing is different. Plus, nothing can happen to us.”

“Fine.”

I sit on the back hoop and she in the front, and down we go. She was right about the speed, but not the part where nothing can happen to us. When we reach the little bump near the middle of the lane, the tube flips, and we land on the packed snow. Or rather, I land on the snow, and she lands right on top of me. Her face is inches from mine, her long brown hair framing her face, and her lips hovering way too close to mine. We lock eyes for a second, then she starts giggling until it turns into full-blown laughter. She rolls off of me and lies on the slope.

“Are you okay?” she asks, sitting up.

“Yeah. You?” Aside from the fact that I was thinking of kissing you two seconds ago. The fact that I was this close to leaning forward and closing the gap between us scares me to death. I have never been that close to kissing someone—or even thinking about it—since Sofia. My stomach twists, and I chase Sofia from my thoughts.

Ivy nods. “Good. But I think I’m ready for some food now. Should we go?”

Forcing myself to focus, I get up and offer Ivy a hand. “Absolutely.”

“The Christmas market? Really ?” I whine as we approach the park that has now been overtaken by holiday music and cinnamon fumes.

“What do you have against Christmas?” she asks, arching an eyebrow. “Or this market? It looks cute.”

It is pretty cool, I guess. I’ve never been here, even though they’ve been setting it up every year for a while now. It’s just not really my vibe. Quaint chalets of vendors selling local delicacies and handmade products with dozens of kids running around isn’t exactly my scene. Though, I could see myself taking Aaron here.

“Let’s start with hot chocolate,” she says, her eyes going as wide as her smile. We stop by a stand that’s making hot drinks in reusable white mugs with trees and other Christmas symbols stamped on them.

An old lady I don’t recognize greets us with a warm smile. “What can I get you?”

“Hi,” Ivy says. “I’ll have a hot cocoa with marshmallows, please.”

The woman nods, then looks at me.

“I’ll get some coffee. Black. ”

“Zane,” Ivy scolds. “That’s not very Christmassy.”

“Christmas is over,” I say with a shrug.

She gives me a pointed look. “Only if you let it be.”

I want to say that she’s wrong, that Christmas is a date on the calendar and not a mood, but I don’t want to be a downer. “I’m good with coffee. I don’t like sweet stuff.”

“Of course you don’t,” she says, rolling her eyes.

Minutes later, we get our drinks and begin our stroll around the market.

Ivy takes a sip of her hot chocolate. “Mmm. Delicious. You have to try it.”

“I’m good with my coffee.”

“Oh, come on. I went snowmobiling, didn't I? Now it’s your turn to trust me.” Her smile widens, and she waggles her eyebrows in a goofy way.

Well, I guess I’m drinking hot chocolate.

With a grumble, I grab the mug and bring it to my lips. A warmth fills me, the sweet taste settling on my tongue like a blanket of nostalgia. I haven’t had hot cocoa since I was a kid, when Belinda would make it for us after we played outside in the snow for a while. Ivy’s right. It’s really good. A little too sweet, but comforting.

She stares at me with a questioning look.

“It’s all right,” I say, giving her the mug back .

“All right?” She looks down at her mug. “You drank almost half of it.”

I shrug. “My mouth is just bigger. I’ll get you another one.”

“No need,” she says with a grin. “Plus, Ethan gave me plenty of money. I’m treating you today. You’ve been so kind to keep me company, both today and yesterday at the wine tasting. This trip has been so embarrassing, you have no idea. I really didn’t think this through, coming here alone.” She lets out a nervous chuckle, tucking a strand of loose hair behind her ear.

“Can I ask what happened?” I don’t want to make her relive it, but I just can’t comprehend why anyone would let this girl go when they’re about to get married to her.

She sighs, her gaze drifting. “He was in love with someone else.”

“But he asked you to marry him?” I grimace. Could this guy be any dumber?

Her face scrunches. “I know. It’s weird, right?”

“Yeah . . .” That’s an understatement.

“He was still hung up on his ex. She went back to him the night before our wedding, and he called me to let me know.”

My blood freezes in my veins. “Wait. He didn’t even tell you face to face?”

“Nope,” she blurts out in a single breath. “But Dan was never really a frank person so . . .” She clears her throat. “It was just very bad timing.”

“Or good timing?” I suggest, raising an eyebrow. “At least you didn’t have to get a divorce.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. Who’s the one with a positive attitude now?” she jokes, shoving me with her shoulder.

I let out a grunt. “I spend way too much time with you. And you make me drink sweet stuff.”

“Then my work here is almost done.” She chuckles, and I tense at the thought that she’s going home in a few days. Soon, this will just be a memory. “But seriously. Thanks again for everything. I’ve had a lot of fun these past few days.”

“Me too.” My stomach twists as I say the words.

“Oh, ice skating!” She points to the side of the park where a large ice skating rink is filled with people. “That looks like fun.”

“Absolutely not.” I hold a hand up, careful not to spill my coffee. “Don’t push it. We already did tubing. That’s enough for one day.”

“All right,” she says. “What about a bite to eat?”

I relax my shoulders. “I never say no to food.”