Lizzy and I spend a few hours on the couch, recuperating from our shopping marathon with popcorn and bad TV.

Around eight, Blake and Fiona arrive together. He's holding takeout bags. She's holding two neatly wrapped presents and a bottle of wine. She places the presents under the tree, for us to open tomorrow.

The takeout isn't the greasy Chinese food of my past celebrations. It's healthy stir fry from a fusion restaurant. Rich people takeout. The vegetables are fresh and crisp. The seasonings are perfectly mild. No excess of salt or sugar, just flavor.

Conversation starts stiff but relaxes. Lizzy has nothing in common with Fiona and she's not too happy with the way Fiona tried to bribe me to leave Blake. Thank God, my sister is polite. She manages to talk about a TV show they both like.

By the time we're on dessert—sticky rice and mango, plus sugar cookies dotted with sprinkles—everyone is having a good time. Not a family yet, but something close.

Fiona leaves after dinner. I go to help Blake clean up.

"I'm going to get out of here." Lizzy looks at Blake like they're sharing a secret. "Blake told me about the Sterling Tech hotel suite. It's empty and it sounds really nice."

"Stay here."

"It's fine. I'm sure you two need to… talk." Her eyes light up mischievously. "And other things. I'll be back in the morning. I'll bring coffee." She hugs me goodbye. "Merry Christmas, Kat. I'll see you tomorrow. You're going to love your present."

"Goodnight." I kiss her on the forehead and squeeze her as tightly as I can. It's been miserable having her halfway across the country, but I can't deny how independent and self-assured she seems.

"Do you want me to call a car?" Blake says.

"I hate cars. But thank you." Lizzy looks at me. "He really is polite." She waves on her way out the door.

And then it's me and Blake alone.

This is it, time for his answer. I take a deep breath. But, before I can start, he wraps his arms around me.

He pulls me close. "I have a surprise for you. But you can't have it until after we go up to the roof."

I like the sound of this. "What kind of surprise?"

"No clues." He squeezes me tighter. "Get your coat."

We don our outerwear and climb the stairs to the roof.

It's snowing.

Perfect white snowflakes blow around in the wind. Better than anything I could ever draw. Better than any snow I've ever seen.

Cold air nips at my nose and mouth. I stick my tongue out and catch a snowflake. Blake is staring at me with wonder, the way he always does. You'd think he'd be used to me by now.

"What are you looking at?" I ask.

"I love when you get that look in your eyes," he says. "Like you can't believe how amazing the world is."

"Because I can't believe how amazing the world is."

I squat down to pick up a clump of snow. There's actual powder on the roof! We never get powder in New York City. The well-tread sidewalks mean the snow melts into slush.

Blake watches me pack a snowball. It's messier than the ones I made as a kid, but it's still completely marvelous.

"Not everyone sees it that way," he says.

I hold up my arm like I'm going to deck him with the snowball. He sees past my bluff. He doesn't even blink.

"Yes, some people are cynical tech CEOs who have too much money to appreciate little things like gorgeous views and perfect snowfalls," I say.

His lips curl into a smile. "It would be awful to know someone like that."

"Truly awful."

I toss him the snowball and he catches it. He stares at it like it fascinates him. Was his childhood really so awful he never got into snowball fights? A pang hits my chest. He's had such a hard life. It's a miracle that he's ever happy.

"Don't go feeling sorry for me, Kat. I'm the happiest man alive."

"Really?"

He moves closer. "Every day, I get to see the world through your eyes." He leans down to press his lips into mine. "Every day, I get to wake up next to you."

"Is it really that great?"

"Better." He holds the snowball over my head. Then he smashes it on my hat. "And I always win."

Oh, it's a snowball fight he wants, it's a snowball fight he'll get. "Not this time."

I lean down to pack another snowball. Blake moves fast. He darts to the door behind the stairs, no doubt packing an armory.

I get busy making snowballs and carry them around in my hat. I move as quietly as I can, but I can't manage to sneak up on him. He darts to the open area and hurls a snowball at me.

It smacks my chest with a light impact. I squeal in delight. It's been years since I've done this.

I launch a snowball at Blake. He dodges it. But he's not lucky for long. My next throw hits him right in the chest. His neat wool coat isn't so neat anymore.

He laughs. Still the best sound I've ever heard. Still makes me feel warm all over.

We get lost in our snowball fight, racing around the roof and pelting each other. When I'm out of snowballs, Blake tackle-hugs me to the ground. There's enough soft snow that it doesn't hurt.

He kisses me, his tongue sliding into my mouth, his body sinking into mine. That warmth turns to a desperate, coursing heat. Even with my head pressed against the snow, I'm burning up.

When our kiss breaks, I stare straight into his eyes. They used to be impenetrable. But I've learned how to read them.

And they're just as filled with desire as I am.

"Let's call it a draw," I say.

"Rematch soon." He pushes himself to his feet and helps me up. He brings his mouth to my ear. "I hope you won't miss the snow."

"It's going to be freezing until March. Always is."

Blake leads me to the staircase. "Not in St. Barts."

I turn to look at him. "What do you mean, not in St. Barts? I've seen your work calendar and there's no St. Barts on it."

He shakes his head. "We're leaving Friday and we'll be there for two weeks."

"But Lizzy will be alone for New Year's."

"It was her idea," Blake says.

"Was it her idea to leave us alone tonight?"

He nods.

"But last time I mentioned vacation you said that a three-day weekend was the best you could do. That Sterling Tech would fall without your capable hands at the wheel."

Thoughts of sun and sand dance around my brain as we climb back to the penthouse floor. Blake watches me the whole time, smiling like he's sure he's got me exactly where he wants me.

He unlocks all three locks to our apartment. "I'd rather have my capable hands on you."

All of a sudden, I'm scorching hot.

"But what if the company falls without you?" I ask.

"Then it falls. You're more important."

"Say it again."

Blake rubs my arms. His hands stop at my shoulders and he looks me in the eyes. "You're more important than anything, Kat. Even my company."

"Even…" I hold his gaze. "Does this mean you'll be here tomorrow?"

"You'll have your answer in two minutes." He points to the bedroom. "Follow me."