Chloe

Margot practically ripped Chloe’s arm off pulling her into the ladies room to question her about Brady.

“What's going on, Chloe? I thought you said you two broke up?”

“We did.”

“Then what’s he doing here giving you the sad puppy dog eyes?”

“He came to tell me that he and Maci broke up.”

“What?”

“I’m as surprised as you. I didn't get all the details before Mom showed up. All he said was he had to skip the ski trip because of some basketball tournament and that he's not dating Maci anymore.”

“He didn't say anything else?"

"Well, he did say he wanted to help with the Christmas trees and that he missed me."

"Chloe! This is huge. This could be the Christmas miracle you were waiting for."

"What do you mean?"

"I think you’re not over Brady and apparently he's not over you either. Why else would he be here?"

"I don't know. Maybe the holidays are just making him nostalgic or something."

"Or maybe he realizes that he made a huge mistake dumping you for someone as shallow as Maci Martin."

Chloe frowned as the sting of rejection resurfaced. "I don't know, Margot. I'm still not even sure I want Brady back."

"Are you kidding me? You've been in love with Brady Jones since you were ten.”

“Yeah, but I’m not ten anymore.”

Margot put her hands on her slim hips. “You're telling me you wouldn't take him back if he asked you to be his girlfriend again right now?"

Chloe bit her lip as images of Ethan popped into her mind. She couldn't get those gorgeous green eyes of his out of her head, or the way he smelled, or the taste of his lips or that sad yet hopeful look he'd given her in the pine forest today.

Did she want Brady back? Or did she want a shot with Ethan?

“Co-Co, I know I haven’t been here for you so I don’t know all the heartache Brady put you through, but I remember how happy you two were together this summer. I’ve never seen you smile like that. I want that for you again. And Christmas is the perfect time for second chances.”

That was true. “I’m just afraid he’ll hurt me again, Go-Go.” A tear slipped down Chloe’s cheek. “He broke my heart. And I hate that no matter what happens I'll never be that girl again, the one who can trust with all of her heart, because he’s always going to have the broken pieces of it.”

“Then don’t be that girl,” Margot said softly. “Be this new version of yourself. You can guard your heart and put it out there at the same time. But you can’t be afraid to go after what you want, Chloe. And you can’t live your life full of regret. You mean too much to me. I won’t sit by and watch you be unhappy. If I hadn’t been blinded by my own happiness I’d have seen it sooner. You’ve lost your sparkle, Co-Co.”

Chloe laughed. “You were always the one with the sparkle, Go-Go.”

Margot swept a strand of hair away from her face, gently. “Trust me, Chloe. You sparkle. And you deserve to be with someone who can see that.”

Chloe bit her lip as longing filled her heart. “That’s the problem, Go-Go. I think you’re the only one who sees it.”

Margot pulled her close. “That’s not true. We all sparkle in our own way. The key is finding someone who brightens your shine instead of dulls it. If you think Brady might be that person, then give him a second chance. If not, it’s okay to move on.”

Chloe let Margot’s words sink in, hopeful that they would help her figure out the truth hidden in her wounded heart.

Ethan

Ethan watched Chloe follow Margot out of the ladies room. Her eyes were red-rimmed again. He instinctively began popping his knuckles as he watched Chloe walk back over to her ex-boyfriend. What do you see in him, Chloe?

It was plain to Ethan that Chloe was way too good for someone like this Brady character. He was wearing a high school varsity jacket and a beanie pulled low over his shaggy hair. He was tall and lanky, not grown into his frame yet. At least he had the good sense to look nervous. Showing up after dumping a girl as amazing as Chloe was a bold move. Though it seemed Brady was a friend of the Price family so maybe that warranted his bravery.

While Margot and Chloe were in the bathroom, their parents and some of the other lodge employees chatted with Brady, talking sports and holiday plans. He seemed relaxed and friendly with everyone. But as soon as Chloe re-emerged he tensed.

It bothered Ethan that he couldn’t tell what Chloe and Brady were talking about from his vantage point. He was sitting in a comfortable winged-back leather chair by the roaring fireplace. He wanted to get up and move closer, but Owen was watching him from his spot at the bar where Margot had joined him.

Ethan decided to turn his attention back to his version of a hot toddy. He’d added a generous helping of whiskey to the hot apple cider he’d ordered at the bar when no one was watching. He took a large sip, letting the heat from the alcohol warm him as it burned deep in his chest.

Chloe and Brady had moved out of sight, leaving Ethan with nothing to do but admire the lodge. This place was much more his style. It had expensive furniture, lavish décor and a lively bar. The clientele seemed like people he might see accompanying his mother to high society brunches or charity events.

Ethan ran his finger over the gold foil stamp on the red cocktail napkin that came with his drink. The logo was a diamond shape with log cabin in the center of a large wreath adorning the doors while snowflakes fell from above. The words, Everett’s Christmas Lodge & Tree Farm, Established 1909, glared back at him.

It was clear there was a lot of family history here. The walls were covered with giant framed photographs of the farm’s humble beginnings and Everett Price, the man who started it all. Ethan found himself wondering how different Chloe’s family was from his. Had they married for love rather than money? Had they had children out of choice rather than obligation? Ethan wondered how different his life might have been had he been raised here with a true sense of family.

It was funny, he was only a few hours away from New York City, yet he felt like he was a world away from everything he knew. Strangely, Ethan didn’t think he would miss the money and privilege that came with his upbringing if he had what the Price family had.

Everyone who passed them stopped to say hello or offer kind wishes. Even the staff held an immense amount of love and respect for Mr. and Mrs. Price. He watched in awe as they started to dance in front of the Christmas tree when a familiar Bing Crosby tune began to play. Some of the guests stopped to watch, some joined in. Margot pulled Owen onto the impromptu dance floor. His face was so full of joy it was painful for Ethan to watch. Painful, because he knew he could look that same way if he could only find a way to let himself.

It was impossible watching a near-mirror image of himself, living the life he wanted. One full of happiness and health, while Ethan’s own life was consumed with a sorrow that was eating him alive.

He watched as Owen laughed with Margot, spinning her around under the mistletoe, stealing kisses every chance he got. Owen looked like he belonged here with these happy people. Ethan wished he did, but he feared that there was a part of him that would forever remain broken after the loss of his mother and abandonment of his father.

Owen had been through it all alongside Ethan, but it seemed they wore their scars differently. Owen’s pain had torn a hole in his heart—a void he was constantly trying to fill with anything that brought him joy, while Ethan’s pain festered, hardening into a thick scar tissue that prevented anyone from getting past it.

Sometimes Ethan felt like his entire body was covered in a thick coat of sorrow, making it impossible for him to connect with anyone.

Not Chloe, though. Chloe had somehow slipped past his defenses.

Ethan looked past the massive Christmas tree that she had disappeared behind, wondering for the millionth time what it was about her that he couldn’t resist. He despised the anxious feeling that settled in his chest whenever he thought of her.

What are you doing to me, Chloe?