and if I know my mother, she’s already planning our wedding in her head.
As I wait for Cole to finish his shift, I read over the details of the job and decide to fill out the application.
Perhaps it’s the change I need and could be a sign that I’m meant to be in Snow Port again.
Chapter Six
COLE
Spending the past week with Sarah is what dreams are made of. We’ve relived old times and shared our feelings in ways I never would have imagined. Waking up next to her has made me a happier man, and I know in another scenario, she’d be my wife. She’s still the same woman I fell in love with, and knowing she never stopped feeling the same about me has changed things.
Neither of us can deny that.
I can’t believe it’s already New Year’s Eve. It’s crazy how fast the days have passed since Sarah arrived. It’s been magical, and I’m tempted to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. We’ve picked up where we left off as though no time has passed.
While everything is fantastic between us, I know her being here is only temporary. In a few days, she’ll get on a plane and go back to her life in Chicago. I greedily want to take her home with me and not come up for air until that day comes, but I have to be at work. I’m tempted to use my vacation days, but Sarah has already told me not to.
She’s my everything, always has been, and time and distance have shown me that. It’s been cemented in my heart and was confirmed the moment her lips touched mine at the tree lighting.
Tonight, we planned to hang out at the little pub on the corner of Main Street to ring in the new year. They’re having a party with drink specials and live music. Since it’s snowing, I offered to pick her up even though it’s only a few blocks from her house.
When I walk up the steps and she answers the door, my mouth falls open. She’s wearing a black dress that fits her perfectly with bright red high heels.
“Damn,” I whisper, leaning forward and placing a soft kiss on her crimson lips. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you,” she replies. Putting on her coat, she tells her parents goodbye over her shoulder.
“Hey, Cole!” They yell, and I wave hello before Sarah pushes me from their view.
“Your parents still love me too,” I say, grabbing her hand and leading her to the passenger side.
“You seem to have that effect on people.” She glances over at me with a popped brow, then continues, “I haven’t celebrated this holiday in years. I usually do the news the next morning, so I tend to go to sleep early,” she tells me.
I laugh. “All I know is you deserve to be kissed at midnight. Sets the foundation for the entire year,” I say matter-of-factly as we park on the street.
When we walk inside, music floats through the air from a band playing on the small stage. It’s an intimate setting, the lights are low, but people are packed in the room. We go to the bar, where I pull out a stool for Sarah, then sit next to her.
“Want a drink?” I ask as the bartender sets down napkins in front of us.
“Vodka and tonic with lime,” she says, and I order a beer. Moments later, our drinks are placed in front of us, and I pick mine up and take a sip.
Sarah turns and smiles at me, placing her hand on my thigh. I think about the past week we’ve spent together and grin. “I kinda want to dance,” she admits, biting her bottom lip. “After I finish my drink.”
“Deal.” I finish my beer at the same speed as she does, then pay our check. Sarah stands and reaches out her hand, pulling me toward the crowded dance floor.
We mosey in, and I place my hands on her hips, and she wraps her arms around my neck. Not able to hold it back any longer, I dip down and slip my tongue inside her mouth. Our bodies keep moving to the beat, but all I want to do is leave and be alone with her until the clock strikes midnight.
As if she reads my mind, she whispers, “Let’s get out of here.”
I create some space between us so I can meet her emerald green eyes. “Yeah?”
“I don’t want to waste the remaining time I have with