My life may have had a rocky start, but my tragic past has been more than made up for when this angel walked into my life. Morgan May truly is one of a kind. And she’s all mine!
Chloe Martin
I can hardly believe that it’s Christmas Eve and we get to spend it in Pine Island. Yesterday morning I didn’t even know this place existed. It’s almost like I dreamt it into existence.
Everything about Everett’s Christmas Lodge & Tree Farm is perfect. It’s so untouched and dreamy. I wonder if the whole town is like this. I wish we had more time to explore. I truly can’t believe there’s a quaint little place like this so close to New York City. I keep expecting to wake up back in Manhattan, this trip nothing but a snowy dream.
Yet, here I am, with all of my friends—old and new—and Donovan by my side. It might as well be a dream. Everything is so perfect . . . though I do wish things between Donovan and I were a little more in sync.
I can’t deny we’ve had a few moments when I can glimpse the man I fell for. One who had a passion for other things besides work. He has been better here. I haven’t seen him on his phone or laptop much at all. But there’s still something missing between us. Something that’s causing all this worry to spoil the amazing meal I just had.
But again, I remind myself I need to swallow it down. Christmas Eve is no time to bring up my concerns.
Once dinner is done, I try to help Co-Co and Margot clear the dishes, but they’re not having it. Instead, the staff sweeps away the dishes before any of us can lift a finger.
Co-Co switches seats so that she can settle in beside me, leaning close as if we’re the best of friends catching up after a long day. To be honest, it feels like we’re already that close. Our brief time together has bonded us and made me feel like I can tell her anything.
“So I helped Eric and Jake plan fun activities for their better halves this evening, but you and Donovan have been a little trickier to figure out. What kinds of things do you guys like to do on vacation?” Co-Co asks, eagerly.
My heart drops when I realize I don’t know the answer to her very simple question.
This is a bad sign, isn’t it?
If I can’t figure Donovan out, I can’t expect Co-Co to.
When I don’t answer, she makes a suggestion. “We’re going to have our traditional showing of Miracle on 34th Street in the lounge if you want to join us.”
I tap my chin, thinking for a moment before an idea strikes me with sudden clarity. This plan of mine isn’t working. Keeping things bottled up isn’t doing any good. The best Christmas gift I can think of is clearing the air with Donovan and figuring out if we still have a future together.
It’s time I speak up!
I take Co-Co’s hand. “Honestly, I want to get Donovan alone for a bit, maybe away from the lodge. There are some things we need to discuss.”
Co-Co’s already bright hazel eyes gleam with enthusiasm. “I have a great idea! You should go ice-skating! The pond is a really quiet spot. It’s only a short distance from the lodge and the ice is safe as long as you stay in the cleared areas. We’ve got it marked off so it shouldn’t be an issue.”
“Oh!” I gasp. “That sounds perfect!” And romantic. Which is exactly what Donovan and I have been missing.
“It’s my favorite thing to do here.” Co-Co blushes and lifts her left hand to fiddle with her engagement ring. “It’s where Ethan and I got engaged!”
“That’s so sweet. When did you guys get engaged?”
Co-Co frowns like something has just dawned on her. “Wow . . . has it really been that long?” she says softly, more to herself than to me. She clears her throat. “It was years ago,” she adds. “The time has really flown by. I guess I thought we’d be married by now.”
“Really?” I ask, perking up. Finally, someone who understands my troubles! “Why haven’t you guys taken the next step?”
Co-Co gestures around her, her eyes fondly sweeping over the beautiful lodge. “We’re just so busy working all the time. We love this place so much and it’s so important to help my family, but I guess it’s sort of taken over our lives. We haven’t even managed to set a wedding date yet.”
Sympathy wells up in my heart as I gaze at Co-Co. “From one workaholic to another, believe me, I know how that feels. But if I were you, I wouldn’t wait too long.”
Nodding slightly, she bites her lip. It’s good that we’re all getting out of her hair for a bit. From the look on her face, she could use some down time with her fiancé, too. I gently squeeze her hand and wish her a Merry Christmas before standing up to look for Donovan.
I find him back in the lobby looking at some of the Price family photos on the walls.
“Guess what? You and I are going ice-skating!” I announce, tugging him with me.
“Wait? What?”
“No arguing. It’s what I want for Christmas.”
Donovan chuckles, throwing his hands up. He knows better than to argue with me when I use my ‘all business’ tone. And tonight, I mean to fix this business between us. I don’t want to end up like Co-Co and Ethan, letting years go by without moving forward.
I need to tell Donovan how I’m feeling tonight!
We grab skates on the way out and make our way to a frozen pond nearby. Christmas lights have been strung up for evening skating, but we’re the only ones out here.
Even though it’s cold, the brisk weather invigorates me. It feels nice to be surrounded by the peaceful landscape of sleepy snow and twinkling stars.
We’re still close enough that we
