Page 71 of Say It Isn't Snow

He cuts me off, sealing his mouth over mine with a playful growl.

“If you two are done making out, we’ve got a bakery to run,” Layla says from the doorway.

Laughing, I rest my forehead against his. He steals one more kiss, ignoring his sister’s ribbing.

Revitalized by how cherished Caleb’s surprise makes me feel, I can’t wait to get to work.

All of us come together, working alongside one another. With Leo, Hazel, and Mrs. Adler’s help, I’m able to get ahead on the order queue. While we make hundreds of cookies, Layla and Mom run the front counter and Dad handles the dishes all day.

Caleb fills in wherever an extra hand is needed, and whenever I catch his eye he’s watching me, proud and adoring.

Later, after we’ve all gone out for dinner together, Caleb walks me home hand in hand. The row of shops is lit with twinkling lights. Light snow begins falling.

“Look, it’s our good luck charm,” he says.

“The snow?” I tease.

He grins. “Sure. It got us our second shot. When you win, you hold on to whatever takes you there.”

I fight an enchanted smile. “Is this another hockey player thing?”

His smile widens in response. I shake my head, shoulders shaking.

“You’re such a goof.”

“And you love it.” He tugs me closer, putting an arm around my waist to hug me.

“I do. Can’t be helped.”

“I got you something,” he says.

“You did?”

“That was my errand earlier. I was picking up your belated Christmas present.”

I lean into him. “You didn’t have to.”

“I wanted to,” he counters.

“Surprising me with our families today was a gift all on its own.”

We reach the bakery and head up to my apartment. I imagine once Caleb moves into the one next door above the book store, we’ll be sharing both spaces.

He draws me down to the couch once our coats are discarded, offering the gift bag he returned with after picking up coffee this morning.

“Here. Open it.”

I gasp when I pull a snow globe from the cocoon of tissue paper. It’s so much like the one I love at his family’s cabin, the large glass dome creating a magical bubble around a cozy cabin. The only difference is this one has two tiny figurines waving in front of the cabin.

“It’s beautiful,” I whisper.

“I’m glad you like it,” he rasps.

“I love it.”

An inscription on the base between the ceramic pink bows catches my eye.

Always together with you, sugar.