for the other person.
I push out of my car, slide my hands in the pockets of my onesie, and look at him sheepishly.
His steps falter.
“That was supposed to be a love tap.” I flick my chin toward where our cars are French kissing. His bumper is dented. The front of my Honda is . . . smashed.
“Unicorn?” He doesn’t come any closer as if he’s afraid to. “Are you okay?”
I nod. “All good. I think I need more practice driving on the ice.” Is it hot out here? All at once, I feel like I’m in the tropics despite the freezing temperatures.
He runs his eyes up and down my body like he needs to check for himself.
“Where are your all-weather tires?”
“I didn’t exactly know I needed those.” I shrug, a little touched he’s so worried about my safety.
He glances behind me to my car, packed to the brim with everything I own. “What are you doing here?”
“I was in the neighborhood. Thought I’d see if there were any cookies since it’s afternoon snack time.” Audrey. You’re so lame. Don’t chicken out now.
He stares at me, unamused. “Your feet are going to get cold.”
I couldn’t even tell he was looking at my feet. Guess it’s kinda hard to miss the new addition to my outfit. Giant unicorn bedroom slippers. I have matching ones for Perry . . . somewhere in my car. Maybe we can find them by next year.
Again, his concern for my well-being gives me hope.
“Actually, I’m here for you and Perry.” Wow. That was harder to say than I thought it would be. I mean it with everything I am, but I have to give him props for all the things he’s said to me. I’m not sure I can get out another sentence.
“But you said—”
“A lot of stupid things. Because I was mad. And hurt. But the thing is . . .” I draw in a deep breath and release it. “The thing is, my life is here. And if I’m not, then I’ll miss out on the best people to ever happen to me.”
His brow furrows. That’s not a good sign. I hoped he’d sweep me into his arms and we’d live happily ever after.
“Perry hasn’t taken it well.” His voice is gruff, and regret fills me. I never ever meant to hurt that little girl. “Neither have I.”
“You lied to me. All of you. I needed time to sort my head out.” There’s a desperation in my tone I’ve never heard.
“It was a risk to let you into our world. I have my daughter to think about. She needs stability, and I lost sight of that.” He looks down as if collecting his thoughts. “Winter Valley isn’t a revolving door.”
“Perry’s taught me so much about who I want to be.” I sniffle, thinking about how amazing she is. How much I’ve missed her. I close the distance between us. “So have you.”
Colin twitches his fingers at his sides but doesn’t touch me.
“You said you’d wait,” I plead.
“Are you here for good?”
I light up. “I have a job,” I say excitedly.
“Where?” That sculpted brow furrows again.
“Here, silly.” It turns out, his family is pretty good at keeping secrets. I kinda think they enjoy it.
“At the bakery?” He motions toward the building where Becky is not so discreetly watching us from the window.
Actually, Colt and Morgan are at the end of the street. Mrs. Pollard is across the square, not even trying to pretend she isn’t taking in the whole scene.
“At the B&B.” I can’t stand being away from him a second longer. I touch his arm. “I worked out a deal with your family as an independent consultant. I’m going to run it under my own terms.” I grin at him. “With all of your help, of course.”
He stills, his expression impossible to read. “What if I decided I can’t take the risk with you?”
My heart crashes to my feet, but somehow, I hold it together. “Then I hope you can get used to me being around. I love it here.” I step closer until our bodies are flush. “I love your crazy family. I love Perry.” I cup his cheek. “And I love you.”
He doesn’t say anything for so long, and I wonder if he’s frozen. But he didn’t run away screaming either. That has to be a good sign, right?
“I thought love couldn’t happen that fast.”
I’d basically told him that very thing. “I was so wrong.”
“Yeah. You were, Unicorn.” He slides his hand behind