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My heart pangs at the pain reflecting in those words.

He’s right, but not for the reason he thinks.

Placing the coffee cup down in front of me, I intertwine my fingers with his and erase his doubt that I thought our kiss was a mistake. “I panicked because I wanted to tell you the truth, but I became scared about how you’d react, and I also didn’t want to feel like I was stealing you from my friend. Otherwise, I would’ve kept imagining if you two would be together had I not come between you. Even if we had managed to get past it and gave us a chance, I still didn’t want a marriage.”

“I know that, Twinkle.” Lifting our joined hands to press a kiss on mine, he skims a finger down my cheek and tucks a wayward strand away. “I felt in my bones that you and I met for a reason, and that if we were meant to be, we’d find our way back to each other.”

And look how we did.

In another country, no less. In true Hallmark movie style.

This whole week has been a dreamy whirlwind romance.

I also can’t help but think that, just like in the movies, we have our biggest test waiting for us tomorrow.

Am I brave enough to take a leap? I haven’t shied away from a challenge, but the stakes have never been higher. After all, matters involving the heart are never small.

The train screeches to a halt an hour later and I glance out the window, not seeing the town sign to guess where we’re at.

“Come on, this is us.” Kingston tugs at my hand, rising to his full height.

I snatch my purse and step into the aisle with him. A warm sensation engulfs my entire body from his protective proximity. We get out of our train’s cabin and I look around curiously. Tourists crowd the platform, walking left and right.

Kingston laces our hands together, seemingly knowing where to go.

“Have you been here before?” I ask him, leaning against his side as someone in a hurry whips past me. I guess one thing’s common at every railway station.

“Yes.” Kingston curls one brawny arm around my shoulders. “A long time ago with my friends.”

“To celebrate New Year’s?”

“No. We came for skiing.”

The two of us exit after zigzagging through the horde of people and I catch the wordAlpinewritten on a sign.

“Don’t tell me you’re taking us skiing tonight,” I warn jokingly.

“But you’re so good at it.”

He says it so seriously that for a second, I’m speechless. I meet his gaze, humor shining in them, and it intensifies my worried expression.

“No, thank you.”

“Not even under the fireworks?” He quirks a brow enticingly. “It’ll be fun.”

“I’d rather not defeat you in a race on such a special occasion,” I sassily retort.

His chest vibrates with laughter, making me smile.

Outside the parking space, we stop and Kingston takes out his phone and starts typing while keeping my front pressed against his. I circle my arms around his waist and prop my chin in the middle of his pecs.

I’m assuming he’s calling us a cab. Instead, a shiny SUV pulls up in front of us five minutes later. The driver gets out, rounds the hood, and hands the key to Kingston without a word.

I stare at his back, frowning as I watch him walk away.

“I rented the car for the night,” Kingston explains.

“Oh… Nice.” Except the vehicle looks super expensive. I know he does well for himself, but I still don’t want him to spend his hard-earned money on me. He’s already done so much on your previous dates. Each more romantic than the last.