Emma

Will held Emma in his arms all night, as they danced under the stars. She could’ve stayed there with him forever, content to live in that moment with him gazing at her like she was the only girl in the world. But as the band announced their last song, Emma felt the cold grip of reality seep in, biting at the bliss she found in Will’s adoring eyes.

As if sensing it, Will asked, “What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking I wish tonight didn’t have to end.”

He grinned. “Me too.”

“I just wish we could get last year back. We wasted so much time.”

Will met her eyes. “Maybe, or maybe we were just meant to be together right now. Right here. In this moment.”

“But I don’t want this moment to end.”

“Maybe it doesn’t have to,” he said, his eyes clear and bright. “Come on.”

Will

Will led Emma off the dance floor and to his apartment. He refused to even let her leave his side long enough to go to her father’s and change. Instead he gave her his lacrosse jersey and a pair of tall wool socks that stretched all the way to her knees. And somehow, when she came out of his bedroom wearing only those items, she looked even sexier than she had in the expensive designer gown.

Will pushed back his aching desires for Emma and led her over to the Christmas tree, where he’d laid out a blanket and pillows.

When she saw it she squealed with delight. “You remembered!”

“Like I could forget our oldest tradition.”

Emma beamed at him for a moment before stretching out on the blanket. She lay on her back with her head under the tree so she could gaze up at the lights. She stuck a hand out, wiggling her fingers in invitation for Will to join her. So he crawled under the tree, joining Emma beneath the glowing lights, and slipped his fingers between hers.

For some reason, Emma used to do this to every Christmas tree she saw when she was little. Even in department stores, much to her mother’s chagrin. So in an act of solidarity, Will did the same and their tree gazing tradition was born.

This time, laying side-by-side beneath the tree, with Emma’s hand in his, things felt much more intimate. And Will realized it was because he finally had everything he’d ever wanted out of life. He had Emma and he could see their future taking shape. He turned to her. “Em, thank you for saving this holiday.” He laughed softly. “And this whole year really.”

“I should be thanking you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I haven’t even had a chance to tell you about my day with my father.”

Will turned on his side and laid his head on his arm to gaze at Emma. His whole face was aglow with happiness. “Tell me.”

And she did, right down to every detail about her new bedroom and design studio, and how Will had been right all along, her father never stopped caring about her. “And the best part is, we’re all staying home to cook a lasagna for Christmas dinner tomorrow and you’re invited.”

Will barked a laugh.

Emma looked at him in wonder. “What?”

“Your father probably dropped a cool mill on your accommodations at his new place and the thing you’re most excited about is cooking lasagna for Christmas?”

“So?”

“Man did I pick the right girl,” he said tugging her close enough to drop a chaste kiss on her lips.

But Emma had other ideas. She deepened their kiss, and every bit of Will’s focus narrowed to the way her body felt pressed against his. Her touch was smoldering embers against his skin, awakening his ache to caress every part of her.

They lay entangled under the tree kissing for a blissful moment longer until Emma pulled away, leaving Will panting with desire.

“Wait,” she said breathlessly. “I thought we came down here to continue our conversation?”

“I was liking the conversation we were having just fine.”

Emma laughed, letting Will pepper her neck with kisses. “Will, I’m serious. What does all this mean?”

“What do you want it to mean?” he asked pulling her against him.

She picked at the button of his dress shirt, nervously. “I leave the day after tomorrow to go back to Boston.”

Will sighed. “Well, Boston is only a train ride away. I can visit.”

She looked up at him optimistically. “You’d come visit?”

“Every weekend if you want. Hell I’d move there if you wanted me to.”

She grinned, kissing him again. “Maybe I could come here some weekends too,” she offered. “And I’m gonna need a date for my father’s wedding . . .”

“I think I could handle that,” Will said, kissing her again. “Although if it was up to me, I’d never let you go.”

“I don’t want to go,” Emma whispered. “I feel like I just got you back.”

The sadness in her voice was enough to break Will’s heart. “Hey,” he said, smoothing her hair. “You never lost me, Em. And you never will. School’s over in less than six months. And after that nothing can keep us apart.”

Emma sighed into Will’s chest. “You’re right. This is going to work.”

Will kissed the top of her head and pulled her closer. “It has to.”