Chloe

Chloe couldn't stop herself from glancing at Ethan as they decorated the Christmas tree with the never-ending line of guests visiting the lodge. Her quick glances through the tree did nothing to help deter her confusing feelings for him.

Each glimpse revealed a new layer of Ethan she found attractive. The quiet storm of his eyes, the way half of his mouth was always turned down as if he expected the world to disappoint him, the slightest hint of stubble along his strong chin, the way his jaw muscles ticked when he was concentrating, the unintentional confidence he exuded. All of it was alluring.

It was hard to tear her eyes away from him. Even now, as he stood politely chatting with a guest who was clearly flirting with him. Chloe found herself wanting to know what he was thinking. Ethan stood patiently with his hands in his pockets almost smiling at the shameless lodge guest. He looked like a million dollars in the cheesy Christmas sweater all the lodge employees wore. Chloe was convinced no one had ever worn that sweater better than Ethan Hall.

Even with the tacky wreath pattern on the front it was impossible to hide his appeal. It made Chloe wonder just where he came from. He was impeccably well-groomed and his confidence bordered on cocky, yet in a sexy way. She’d never met someone like him. Ethan wasn’t trying to impress anyone, and that made him even sexier.

What Chloe wouldn’t give to feel that much confidence herself.

Maybe if she had that kind of confidence she could do a better job of sorting out her jumbled feelings, because right now her heart was a mess. And when Ethan caught her staring at him his lips completed the frown they were already halfway to. His stormy green eyes dulled before they darted away completely, returning to his polite conversation with the lodge guest.

Guilt knotted Chloe’s stomach as she realized she was the cause of that pained expression. It was the same look he’d given her each time she pulled away from his kiss. She hated herself for behaving so immaturely. This was going to be a long holiday if she couldn’t find a way to smooth things over with Ethan. And what if he told Owen? Owen would surely tell Margot and then Chloe’d be in an even bigger mess.

Sighing, Chloe grabbed a pen and tiny slip of paper from the wish station her parents had set up. She knew it was childish, but she needed as much help as she could get, so she scribbled her Christmas wish down anyway. ‘Figure out what I want.’

She folded up the wish and stuck it inside a clear glass ornament and hung it on the tree. Then, Chloe set her shoulders, determined to make her wish come true.

She was just crossing the room to talk to Ethan when she heard someone calling her name. She turned to see Brady pushing through the wreath-clad double doors to the lodge and her steps faltered.

Brady

Brady spotted Chloe by the new Christmas tree in the lodge. He figured this was where she’d be. He checked her house earlier but no one was home. And with only a few days left until Christmas he knew the Price family would be busy with festivities at their booming hotel.

It was impressive how they’d turned the little Christmas tree farm into a thriving business in such a short time. Brady remembered when he’d first moved to Pine Island and Everett’s Tree Farm hadn’t been much more than a small barn to grab a cup of hot cocoa or cider in after purchasing a tree. Now there was a gorgeous rustic building that resembled a ski lodge with hotel rooms, banquet halls for weddings, horse-drawn sleighs, crackling double-sided stone fireplaces, a bar and lounge and room for twelve massive Christmas trees scattered throughout the warm three-story lobby.

That’s where Chloe was, looking as beautiful as ever with her wild brown hair piled atop her head. She hadn’t seen him yet and Brady took the opportunity to take her in. He hadn’t really looked at her since they broke up. Guilt kept him from feeling he had the right to feel anything for her after the way he treated her. But now that things with Maci were over, Brady wanted to make things right with Chloe. Even if it meant they’d never be more than friends, he at least owed her a real apology.

As Brady pushed through the glass doubled doors he noticed what had Chloe’s attention. It was a tall, dark and surprisingly good-looking stranger. Chloe was watching him like a hungry cat, her muscles coiled. She was just starting to walk toward the stranger when Brady called her name.

Her startled expression made his heart plummet. It was clear seeing him wasn’t a good surprise.

“Brady? What are you doing here?” she asked.

The stranger, who’d been talking to a guest nearby, craned his neck to follow their conversation. Brady tried to ignore him. “I came to see if you needed help with the Christmas tree. I’m sorry I missed chopping it down but my game ran long.”

Chloe just blinked at him with utter shock. “Why are you here?” she finally repeated.

He tried to hold his smile. “I told you. I want to help with the tree.” And apologize for being a total jerk, he thought, though he’d been hoping to have that conversation in a more private setting.

“But you’re supposed to be on the ski trip,” Chloe objected.

“Yeah, coach kinda put the kibosh on the ski trip when he planned a tournament the same weekend.”

Chloe was still looking at him distrustfully. “What about Maci? I thought she didn’t want you talking to me?”

“Well, Maci doesn’t tell me what to do anymore.”

Chloe’s eyes widened. “Did you break up?”

He nodded. “I miss you, Chloe.”

Just then Margot walked over, a clone of the Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Handsome by her side. “Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in,” Margot drawled. “Brady Jones. Have you come to humiliate my sister further? Because let me tell you, that’s not going to happen on my watch.”

“Margot,” Chloe hissed, her tone a quiet warning.

Brady sighed. This was not how he’d wanted his apology to go. He knew Margot would go into protective big-sister-mode. She’d always been Chloe’s mouthpiece, but right now Brady didn’t want to have to talk through Margot. He looked at Chloe. “Can we go somewhere and talk?”

Chloe stumbled to find words. “I-I don’t think—”

“Brady!” Mrs. Price’s voice rang through the lobby and she came scurrying over to wrap him in a smothering hug. “I thought that was you! I’m so glad to see you around. It’s been much too long, sweetheart. Have you come to help decorate the tree?”

“Yes,” he replied politely.

“Great,” Mrs. Price replied. “Christmas wouldn’t be the same without you.”

“I agree,” Brady said, looking purposefully at Chloe.

“Are you coming to the Christmas Eve party with your parents?” Mrs. Price asked.

Brady smiled, still not taking his eyes off of Chloe. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Oh good. I’m so glad we’ll all be together again this Christmas.”

“Me too,” he replied. “Me too.”