Day Two – The Tree, Twinkling Lights, and Almost-Mistletoe
They agreed the cabin needed a proper Christmas tree.
Dragging it through knee-deep snow, Ivy slipped, swearing as she toppled sideways. July caught her by the elbow, pressing her close, strong hands holding her steady.
“You okay?” July asked, her face inches from Ivy’s, warm breath brushing her lips.
Ivy’s heart thudded wildly. “Yep. Totally fine. Intended a snow angel.”
July smirked, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Very convincing.”
Inside, they decorated the tree. Ivy reached for ornaments high above her head; July stood behind her, one hand resting possessively on her waist. Neither mentioned how long that hand lingered—or how it made Ivy’s skin burn.
Later, Ivy held up a tangle of lights. “Do you know how to untangle this?”
“Absolutely,” July said, taking the mess, “I’m trained in chaos… and other things.”
Ivy laughed, cheeks flushed. When her fingers brushed along July’s wrist, passing an ornament, July’s breath hitched, heat pooling low in her belly.