Issuu

LILA HAZELL

Pixel+Ink is an imprint of Holiday House Publishing, Inc. First US edition, 2026

First published by Walker Books Ltd. (UK) 2026

Cover illustration by Brittany Keller

Published by arrangement with Walker Books Limited, London SE11 5HJ. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in an information retrieval system in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, taping, and recording, without prior written permission from the publisher. Additionally, no part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner for the purpose of training artiocial intelligence technologies or systems, nor for text and data mining.

HOLIDAY HOUSE is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Ofoce. Printed and bound in August 2026 at Sheridan, Chelsea, MI, USA. Book design by Kerry Martin www.pixelandinkbooks.com

First Edition

1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2

ISBN: 978-1-6459-5346-3 (paperback)

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

EU Authorized Representative: HackettFlynn Ltd, 36 Cloch Choirneal, Balrothery, Co. Dublin, K32 C942, Ireland. EU@walkerpublishinggroup.com

For BG, with festive love and thanks

DECEMBER 18: AFTERNOON

CASSIE leaned back on her fold1up wooden chair, tugged her plaid blanket across her knee, and peered at the paper in front of her.

Was putting delicate onishing strokes on a watercolor masterpiece while wearing thick woolly gloves and munching lebkuchen a good idea? Nope. Especially now that some powdered sugar had stuck to the paint. Was she going to keep going anyway? Absolutely. If Michelangelo could paint a whole ceiling, she could manage a cute painting of Oak Falls while dealing with low1level frostbite.

Cassie popped another cookie in her mouth and dabbed some snowflakes in front of a very snowy, very festive Little Acorn. Oak Falls always looked its best at Christmas, and Cassie had managed to cap1 ture the steamed1up windows of the coffee shop perfectly. There was the bushy green wreath on the door, the lights twinkling away in the window, a glimpse of two friends laughing by the door...

LILA HAZELL

And the couple hand in hand on the front step. Had she waited long enough to send Tom the message she9d written hours ago?

Cassie: Hey! Just saw a labradoodle that looked SO much like Buddy! Still on to meet later? 6 at the Acorn?

Perfect. Breezy, chill, and not like she9d made up an imaginary labradoodle, or knew there were exactly 15,150 seconds till they9d planned to meet. A totally appropriate message for a boyfriend. Well, not quite a boyfriend... yet.

Cassie thought back to their last long nighttime call, when Tom had told her how much he was looking forward to seeing her again. That he was counting down the days to coming back from col1 lege and spending Christmas break with her. How these holidays were going to be different. Her stom ach knotted. Tonight, after all the off and ons, the long1distance calls since he9d left, she was sure the two of them were finally going to make things official. She9d even worn his favorite button1up red cardigan to make sure things went just how she planned. Tom had a thing for buttons. Well...he had a thing for undoing them.

Before she could overthink it any more, she hit Send and hid the phone in her pocket to stop herself from checking obsessively for a reply. She immediately pulled it back out and checked

obsessively for a reply. Five times. Before admitting defeat and picking up her paintbrush again.

Slipping her gloves back on, she cozied up in her blanket, the portable heater under the counter keeping her snug in her cabin. Outside, tourists wan1 dered from stall to stall, browsing the vast array of gifts and food on offer at Oak Falls9s annual Christ1 mas market. Cassie had already made sure the wooden shelves on the walls and the counter in front of her were freshly stocked with trinkets, candles, cards, and prints. Now, with no customers around, she could finally finish her painting. Her easel, bal1 anced precariously on a pile of Christmas cards, wobbled as she dabbed the final snowflakes.

A lady holding a cute dog in an elf costume wan1 dered into the cabin. Aver browsing for a minute or two, she pointed at the painting. <How much for that?=

<Ah, sorry, this is a commission,= Cassie said. That sounded much better than a gift for my situationship to seal the deal. <What a cuuuutie, though.= She leaned forward to stroke the tiny dog, but it snapped at her with a snarl.

As she hurriedly pulled her hand away, Cassie spotted the steaming cup of mulled cider in the lady9s other hand. A tote bag from the grocery store hung over her shoulder. Bingo! In front of Cassie was a surefire Oak Falls Christmas tourist.

Cassie went into sales mode. <We do have a bunch of Oak Falls prints over there. They9re the perfect souvenirs. We9ve got the Christmas market,

LILA HAZELL

the rink, the bookshop, the town square...= She squeezed out from behind the counter and grabbed a wooden crate of Val9s prints, smiling sweetly at the demon1elf. <And lots of cute doggos, too.= The lady was already busy riffling through the prints, so Cassie glared at the pup and mouthed I9m watching you.

Half of Val9s prints had been snapped up already, even though there was still a whole shopping week to go before Christmas. This year the market had been extra hectic, thanks to Cassie9s hometown going viral when an innuencer rated Oak Falls Most Quaint Christmas Town in North America and the local double cin1 namon donuts a Must Chew Before You9re Through. But Cassie couldn9t argue4there was something extra magical about Oak Falls at Christmas. With rows of cute wooden cabins lining the picture1perfect town square, roofs covered in snow, all their entrances decked with green garlands, welcoming visitors in to look at their cravs and handmade givs, this market rivaled any European Christmas market Cassie had seen online. Which had been exactly Cassie9s mom9s vision when she joined the committee to set it up, way before Cassie was even born.

In the middle of it all was the iconic Oak Falls Christmas tree, its twinkling festoon lights sparkling above the stalls, reflecting off the thick snow. Every evening in December, local schoolchildren stood in front of it to sing carols. The whole place smelled delicious, too, with the sugary scents of hot choco late and cinnamon drifting through the air thanks to

the retro food trucks scattered around. Cassie had landed the perfect job for the holidays.

Choo-choo. Cassie had to smile at the now1familiar sound of the old1fashioned model train chugging slowly around the square. No wonder the town had been packed with visitors since Thanksgiving.

<I9ll take these, please,= the lady with the dog said. <It9s a bit of a haul.= She laid down an armful of prints, ornaments, and one of the packs of cards Cassie had designed herself. The novelty of selling her own work hadn9t worn off yet4and Cassie sus1 pected it never would.

When Val, her mom9s bestie, had offered her the job of looking after Val9s Winter Workshop for the holidays, Cassie had jumped at the chance. She needed to earn some money for college next year, and when it came to Christmas, Cassie was all1in4a festive1sweater1on1November1fifteenth kind of gal.

Plus, the little wooden cabin had special memo1 ries for her. Every year since she could remember, as soon as the Christmas market opened, Cassie had raced to see what new festive prints and ceramics Val had come up with. They all reminded her of sit1 ting at Val9s house as a little girl, playing with paints and clay. Thanks to Val, Cassie had discovered her love of painting. But when she said yes to working in the stall, she9d had no idea that Val would encour1 age her to try selling some of her own work.

<Here you go.= Cassie passed the neatly wrapped bundle over. If there was such a thing as a major in

gift wrapping, she9d be graduating with a 4.0. <And make sure you don9t leave town till you9ve had a peppermint hot chocolate from the Little Acorn.=

The market was getting busier as the afternoon crowd arrived, so once the lady had headed off, Cas sie put up a few more ceramic hanging ornaments and, as soon as it was dry, carefully rolled up her pre1 cious watercolor. Painting it as a welcome1home gift for Tom had been a genius idea4it would remind him of how creative and cool she was. Plus, it had given her the perfect excuse to spend tons of time staring at photos him, all in the name of art.

Re1creating the perfect Oak Falls Christmas scene had also meant Cassie got to dig through all her years of holiday photos with Tash and Abby, her two best friends, who had very rudely not joined her in taking a gap year and instead had headed off together for college in California.

She paused, her mind wandering yet again to her favorite detail on the painting. The one she9d poured hours, days into.

The couple outside the coffee shop. A girl in a pink1and1yellow checked scarf, long wavy brown hair tumbling down from under her woolly hat, big green eyes lit up as she smiled. She was s1moking hot. After all, Cassie thought, if you9re going to immor1 talize yourself in paint, might as well make yourself a three1inch1taller goddess, with zero bad angles. The guy next to her was quite literally a work of art too4692=, dark hair, blue eyes, glasses, oversized

sweater. Long coat. Green wool scarf casually thrown over his shoulder. Brooding stare.

Sorry, did that dreamy sigh come from me?!

Breaking up before he9d left for college had been rough on Cassie, but making up tonight was going to be good. So very, very good.

<Tom, I9m guessing?= An amused voice broke through her thoughts. <Don9t try to deny it. I heard the sigh.= Jack had heard that?! Très embarrassing. Cassie opened her mouth, realized her only option was an outright lie, and shut it again. <What9s this?= Jack laughed as he shook his head, flicking snow off his navy1blue hat before he walked into the cabin. <Cassie Miller, lost for words?=

<Hey!= Cassie leaned over the counter, prodding her friend in the arm with her longest paintbrush, brimming with fake outrage. But her exclamation became an <Oh no!= as pine needles showered down from his brown wool sweater. <Note to self, don9t pick a fight with a walking Christmas tree.=

As usual, Jack was ticking off every single item on the Christmas tree seller fashion checklist.

Battered baggy blue jeans 7

Carabiner clipped to his belt with random DIY tools 7

Faded navy wool hat 7

Falling1apart brown leather boots 7

All accessorized with a delightfully chic streak of soil across his cheek 777

Oak Falls was a pretty tight community, so when Cassie had strolled past the Christmas tree stall on her first week of work and spotted a new face, she9d stopped to say hello. Sure, she could still remember the look on Jack9s face when he realized she was wearing a light1up festive sweater. He probably felt the same about the look on her face when he said he wasn9t really a <holidays kind of guy.= In spite of his iconic job.

<Well, excuse me for diligently helping my custom1 ers.= Jack brushed the needles into a neat pile with his boot. <Anyway=4he edged toward the counter4<if it9s safe to come near...= He placed a steaming red cup in front of her, a gorgeous smell of gingerbread wafting up. <It9s two p.m. Thought you might need one of these.= He paused. <Plus if I hear 8It9s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year9 even one more time, I can9t be held responsible for my actions.=

<You are officially a legend!= Cassie took a sip. <Although... ohh-oh-ha-ha.= She fanned her mouth. <When will I learn to wait?=

<No comment,= Jack said, politely holding back a smile, like he hadn9t seen her do this almost daily for the last few weeks. He would be so good to paint, his face always seconds from a mischievous smile, his friendly brown eyes perfectly framed by the dark freckles scat1 tered across his light brown skin. He calmly sipped from his battered moss1green Yeti cup. Cassie knew exactly what would be in it4black cofee. At nonlethal tem perature. <And anyway. It9s spring. That9s the most

wonderful time of the year.= He threw his hands up. <Can no one in this town just admit it?=

Cassie tried to stifle a grin. <Regretting your life choices?=

Jack raised an eyebrow. <My mom9s job moving to Santaville was not my choice.=

He9d lived in Seattle his whole life up until a couple of months ago.

<And getting a job in a Christmas tree stall?= <Was yes, a questionable decision.= He laughed. <But I thought it would beat working in a bar.= He paused. <I was wrong. So very wrong.=

Even if he hated the holidays, Cassie was grateful for her new friend. Since Abby and Tash had headed to Caltech, home just hadn9t been the same. Fall used to mean long evenings chatting in the diner or in the Acorn. Signing up for some novelty hobby that they9d decide was their whole personality, then ditch two weeks later. (Cassie9s lip scar was a per manent reminder of the ill1advised aerial1trapeze phase.) Taking Cassie9s fawn1and1white boxer, Daisy, for walks so Abby could admire the changing color of the leaves and Tash could admire any single guys who had stopped off on a tourist trip. The last few months had felt pretty lonely without them.

Cassie took another sip of her drink, which had thankfully cooled somewhat. <Who knows, Jack. If you keep turning up with drinks to see me through the afternoon, I might even give you a free pack of my cards,= she informed him.

LILA HAZELL

<My mom will love 9em,= he said with a wry smile. Cas1 sie knew by now that sending Christmas cards wasn9t his thing. Nor were festive drinks. Novelty sweaters. Any1 thing that tasted of nutmeg, clove, or ginger. The only festive thing he was into was selling trees to earn some cash while he saved up to start a two1year marine conservation placement in Maine next summer.

<Fine. Grinch mode it is.= She shook her head. <I will break you, though...= She rang some tiny jingle bells in his direction.

<And that9s my cue to leave.= Jack laughed and rubbed his dark stubble, scattering dirt onto a hand1painted plate. <Y9know, my boss said earlier that just before Christmas, we may need to break up actual fistfights?=

<Most wonderful time of the year, amiright?= Cas1 sie chuckled as she gave the table of painted festive plates and homemade candles a quick dust, just in case Jack had been within a foot of them.

She stepped back behind the counter and opened her Flightradar24 tracking app. One hour till Tash and Abby landed. Two till Tom touched down.

<Same time tomorrow, then? I9ll bring the4= she started to say to Jack. But she was interrupted by customers striding to her counter so fast the floor1 boards of the cabin shook.

<I9m sorry,= a familiar voice barked, <is this the stall where the legendary artist Cassie Miller works?=

Cassie spun so fast she Frisbeed the plate she9d started to dust. Jack caught it silently.

What were Tash and Abby doing here already?

<Cassieeeee!= Tash nung her arms around her, squealing excitedly as she squeezed all the air out of Cassie9s pufy coat. <Man, have I been waiting for this!=

<What is happening?= Cassie said in disbelief, but it was muffled by Tash9s shoulder.

<Although...= Tash stepped back, her green eyes scanning Cassie. <We leave for two and a half months, and you think a sleeping bag is accept1 able holiday fashion?!= Tash9s perfect mouth, shining with fresh red lipstick, grinned mischievously. <Thank goodness we9re back!=

<Ignore her. You know she9d trade hypothermia for a look.= Abby flicked Tash9s deep maroon beret, waiting patiently for her hug.

Even though Cassie knew every detail of Abby9s life, face, and brain, she still always had to take a beat to process how beautiful she was. She had a new tiny gold nose stud that made her more stun1 ning than ever.

Tash grabbed them both to take a super1smiley reunion selfie, Cassie happily bundled in the middle.

<Incredible light. I couldn9t not.=

Cassie was the one grinning the hardest, feeling like someone had flicked the on switch for her own internal Christmas lights.

<Missed you, bud,= Abby said quietly, finally get1 ting her turn for a hug. Abby hugs were never quick. They were strong, they were slow, they could mend anything and everything.

LILA HAZELL

Cassie9s two glorious besties were back. And bet1 ter than ever!

<Please tell me this isn9t a sugar1induced halluci1 nation?= Cassie said.

<We got bumped to the earlier flight. Thought we9d surprise you!= Tash said.

Abby gasped, her big brown eyes sparkling even more than normal. <You did not tell us you were selling these!= She picked up a pack of Cassie9s cards, Tash going into photo1taking overdrive. Cas1 sie shrugged, like it was no big deal...rather than a really big deal that still made her happy every single day. <Sign me up for three packs.=

<And me...= Tash tugged the ends of Cas1 sie9s pink1and1yellow checked scarf. <Now, think you can finish up a bit early, or is it=4she lowered her voice, like it wasn9t already way too late to be discreet4<business, business ...= She nodded toward Jack, who was quietly pretending to browse.

<Oh, that9s not a customer! That9s Jack,= Cassie said. Hearing his name, Jack turned and pulled his hand out of his pocket, giving Tash and Abby a short wave. <If you want a Christmas tree, he9s your guy.=

<Well, nice to meet you, not1a1customer.= Tash stretched her hand out, eyebrows raised, her fresh deep red manicure glistening. Cassie shook her head. Weren9t college students supposed to be broke? <I9m...=

<Tash?= Jack guessed, then turned toward Abby. <Which means you must be Abby.=

Abby shook his hand, her lips pressed together as she took him in. Cassie could almost feel Abby9s brain whirring, trying to slot this new piece into the puzzle of Cassie9s Oak Falls life.

<So how come we9ve never seen you around then, Mr. Christmas Tree?= Tash asked. She pulled a twig out of Jack9s hat, ignoring his flinch. Personal bound1 aries were just a concept to her.

Jack shrugged. Chatting with strangers wasn9t his happy place. <Well, you both being on the West Coast is probably top of the list.= He gave a mischie1 vous smile. <I arrived from Seattle in October. Cassie9s been showing me the ropes.=

<In1ter1esting,= Tash said slowly, her eyes narrow1 ing. Cassie knew exactly what that look meant, and she needed to head it off. She hadn9t yet filled the other two in on her plan with Tom tonight. Abso1 lutely, definitely not because she was scared of what they9d say.

<So whaddya say, Cass?= Abby looped her arm through Cassie9s, resting her head on her shoulder. <The Acorn? Our first peppermint hot chocolate of the season?=

Cassie was one step ahead4she9d already asked Val if she could take the afternoon off to prepare for their arrival.

The holidays were officially GO!

DECEMBER 18: EVENING

<WOULD it be too much to admit I9ve got an agenda?= Abby said, pulling her phone out to check her list. The three friends were at their favorite table by the window in the coffee shop. <I just needed to make sure we covered all your news first. I don9t want to miss a single thing.=

<Guuuuys.= Cassie rolled her eyes. <You know my stuff! It9s your news I want. College life! Abs, did you make that soccer team? Tash, did you manage to not murder your roommate?= The pics Tash had sent of a passive1aggressive Post1it standoff over a piece of cheese were a lot.

Tash blew on her drink innocently, her face almost hidden behind a stack of marshmallows. <Seriously, Cass? You want to mess with Abby when she9s work1 ing though a list?=

<Agenda item one,= Abby said formally, ignoring them both. <Is Tash kidding me that you need to can cel your January visit? Tell me she9s kidding!=

<Well...maybe not the best one to start off with, 9cause, sorry, Tash9s correct. My dad9s visiting! Which obvs I can9t miss.= As much as Cassie couldn9t wait to visit them in California again, she was almost bursting with excitement at the thought of her dad visiting Oak Falls in January for the first time since he9d left for Australia eight years ago. She9d finally get to meet his long1term girlfriend, Zara, too! They were planning to get their snowshoes out to hike the falls trail, bundle up to go kayaking, play guitar way too loud in their garage like they used to...Cassie couldn9t think of a better start to the new year, even if her mom seemed about as pleased as when Daisy gobbled their Tofurky last Christmas Eve. <Could we do February instead? Book the date right now?=

But they were interrupted by a knock at the steamy window. Jack waved cheerily as he walked over from loading a tree onto the back of a pickup truck.

<Sorry, guys,= Tash said, not taking her eyes off him as he headed off across the square. <Can I suggest an agenda addition? How Cass failed to mention she is getting paid to hang out with someone who looks like my search result when I type 8lumberjack hottie9 into Gemini.=

Cassie brushed her off. <I figured you9d meet him when you were here. Jack9s just...= How could she describe her surprise new friend? The one who9d made these last few weeks way more fun than she9d expected, even if the only thing they had in com1 mon was that they9d both ended up working at the

Christmas market? <Jack. But it has taken=4Cassie checked her phone for the time, and maybe to see if Tom had replied4<less than five minutes for Tash to get on my case about my love life.=

<Thoughts and prayers.= Abby shook her head in solidarity, knowing all too well how it felt to be on the receiving end of this interrogation.

But Tash just snorted. <Um, love life, guys? It9s your love deaths I9m concerned about.=

<Climate change is a concern. My love life is not,=

Abby said sternly, but why was she staring down into her drink and trying not to smile? Cassie was pretty sure4from the way her face lit up whenever she talked about Zoe, who she9d met in college4that she might have a new love of her own.

<And my love life is alive and well, thank you, Tash.= Cassie sipped her drink, hoping the sugar might soven the mic drop that was coming. Jack knew many things about Tash and Abby4but one slightly glaring thing Cassie had failed to mention was that they were not Tom9s biggest fans. Or fans at all. <In fact, brace your1 selves. Things with Tom and me are... good?=

It was going to be a mission, but this Christmas, Cassie was determined that her besties would dis1 cover the new Tom who had emerged since he9d left Oak Falls. A Tom who took himself, and Cassie, more seriously. A Tom who she knew was about to prove that her faith in him was justified, even if the road to get there had been...bumpy.

Tash9s left eyebrow had already shot up.

<Good that...you9re finally friends?= she said suspiciously.

But Cassie had to be honest. She was meeting Tom in just over two hours and needed everything to go smoothly.

<Good that I think we9re about to go official.= She said it with confidence, so they would know that this time she meant it.

Tash and Abby shot each other a concerned look, just as she9d expected. They9d been here before. Many times.

<Look, I swear things have changed.=

Abby looked worried. <You know we just want you to be happy, Cass?=

<It9s different this time. For real. We9ve started communicating, really communicating. And tonight we9re meeting to have...y9know...=

<A home STD test?= Tash said deadpan, but mouthed Sorry right away. The last time they9d seen Tom was the night before he left for college, when he9d decided he needed to start school without any baggage (and Cassie was the baggage).

<No, the talk.= Cassie9s stomach was in knots. As scary as it was, making things official, being his girl1 friend and not just a friend with benefits, was exactly what she wanted. What she needed. And just in time for the holidays! It couldn9t be more perfect4and if he wasn9t going to ask, she was.

<And that9s tonight?= Abby smiled softly but couldn9t quite cover the concern in her voice.

<And the sweet, lovely tree1selling boy who knew our names, carries trees for old ladies, has that cute little gold1earring1graphic designer1meets lumber1 jack vibe, catches plates in the air, and brings you daily hot drinks...?= Tash squinted at Cassie.

Cassie needed to squash this. Fast. <Jack is great. It9s just we mainly talk about you guys. And=4she searched for the words4<mycorrhizal networks? Like... how trees talk to each other. Using fungus? The, er... Wood Wide Web?=

Both girls looked baffled.

<And he9s single,= Cassie added. <If anyone9s inter ested? And really into forests?=

Tash looked like she was seriously considering it.

<The thing is4= Abby started.

But Cassie was distracted by something over Abby9s shoulder. Outside the bakery, by the giant Oak Falls tree.

She wiped the steamy window with her sleeve, the glass squeaking. Could that be...

A cute guy with a long tweed coat.

A cute guy wearing dark1rimmed glasses.

A cute guy who was definitely, absolutely Tom.

Trying to discreetly see if Cassie was at her stall.

Two hours early!

Without stopping to think, Cassie grabbed her hat, her lip gloss, and the tube with her painting. Then, with a cry of <Back in a sec!= she dashed out the door.

No wonder Tom hadn9t replied to her messages. He was coming to surprise her! More proof of how much he9d changed.

Her heart raced as she hurried past the tiny wooden stage where a school orchestra was play1 ing <Frosty the Snowman,= past the food truck sell1 ing mulled cider, past the cabin selling gorgeous holly wreaths, and the one next door, every inch covered in homemade decorations. Panicking, she ran her fingers through the ends of her hair. Bit her bottom lip. Slicked on some lip gloss (which her hair immediately got stuck in). Wiped under her eyes for any mascara that had smudged. Not ideal, but a five1second makeover was as good as it was going to get. With a deep breath, she tapped Tom9s shoul1 der, still perpetually delighted by just how tall he was.

He turned around, his pale blue eyes wide with surprise.

But his face softened when he saw who it was.

<Cass!= Forget a hot drink melting Cassie9s insides4 this boy could do it with one look.

<Surprise!= she cried. She was so used to seeing him only on video calls, but here he was, in every dimension. <Beat you at your own game.=

She pulled him into the biggest hug, resting her head on his chest, running her fingertips along the smooth skin of his neck, loving how it felt so famil1 iar and so new all at the same time. He smelled so good, like firewood and cinnamon. She breathed him in. Breathed it all in. This was worth every single second she9d waited.

<Guess you couldn9t wait till six,= she teased him.

He brushed a strand of her long wavy brown hair

LILA HAZELL

off her cheek. <Not when you9re looking like that.= He tugged playfully at the buttons on her cardigan. Cassie shrugged as if she hadn9t been working on her outfit for a week. <It9s good to be back.=

He grinned. She grinned.

But he noticed Cassie was shivering. Yup, it was snow1 ing and she9d really decided to grab a lip gloss, not a coat. <Do you want this?= He pulled of his gray tweed coat and draped it over her shoulders. Cassie swooned so hard she worried she made an actual noise.

<For sure. Although I want this even more.= She stood up on her tiptoes, put her hands around his neck, and kissed him.

Tom9s lips were so soft, so warm, so familiar on hers. As they kissed, not caring who was watching, every1 thing around Cassie blurred into one big happy fes1 tive scene, like something from one of the Christmas rom1coms she9d been drip1feeding into her soul these last few weeks.

Nothing mattered but how it felt to finally be kiss ing Tom again.

And again.

And maybe again again, even though they both knew it was getting obscene.

When her feet started to go numb in the snow, Cassie tilted her head back. Tom gently brushed a snowflake off her eyelashes, ran his hand down her face, and held her chin.

<Even better than I remembered,= he said, with a raise of his eyebrow that made her feel all the things.

<Hard agree.= There was playing it cool, like she normally tried to do around him, and there was wait ing ten weeks for this moment.

<Want to join us?= She nodded to where Tash and Abby were sitting in the window of the Little Acorn, watching every move Tom made. Abby waved. Tash did not.

<Um...= Tom returned the wave before sucking his teeth, his shoulders dropping.

<We can do some more of that after.= She reached up and kissed his lips softly.

But he looked down, shiving his weight awkwardly. <Cass. I9d love to. Really love to. But that9s what I was coming to say. Some family are in town...= He glanced over to the bakery, where a group of people she didn9t recognize were peering into big paper bags full of pas1 tries they9d just bought. <I was the last to know. So I9m going to have to rain1check, if that9s okay?=

So that9s what a sucker punch feels like.

<But same time here tomorrow?= He tugged the ends of her hair again. <I9ll make it worth it, I promise.=

The rom1coms she9d been watching didn9t have this scene. But she9d waited weeks. Months. So what was one more day?

<You9d better make it very worth it,= Cassie said as she wriggled out of his coat and poked his chest with her cardboard tube, deciding that her paint1 ing could wait until their proper date. <I9m talking pull1out1the1stops1date worth it.= See, Tash! she silently declared. I, Cassie Miller, am not a pushover!

<Deal.= Tom nodded, gently kissing her on the forehead, before quickly saluting in the direction of Abby and Tash and heading over to his visitors.

Cassie gazed at him until he was out of sight. Yes, she even thirsted at his back view.

But she could feel Tash and Abby watching her watching him walk away, so with an innocent smile she headed back into the warmth of the cofee shop.

She expected a grilling, a teasing, a something. But when she sat down at the table, neither of her friends spoke.

Abby was looking at Tash. And Tash was looking at Abby.

Cassie flicked the snow off her hair and pulled it up into a messy bun, waiting for someone to break the silence. But ten seconds later and still nothing4which for Tash was a record.

<What?= Cassie laughed. But nothing. <Seriously, what?!=

She leaned back in the soft armchair. The others didn9t return her smile.

<Tash...?= Abby said, like Cassie had caught them mid1negotiation.

<Abby...= Tash said back shortly.

Okay, this didn9t feel good. The three of them didn9t have secrets.

<Can someone tell me what9s going on, please?= Tash shrugged. <You know you9re too good for him...= This wasn9t a hot take for Tash4so why was she fiddling awkwardly with the handle of her

mug, not making eye contact? Cassie9s stomach lurched.

<Someone really needs to tell me what9s going on.=

When Abby and Tash had decided to go to col1 lege together, Cassie9s worst fear had been that she9d start to feel left behind. And right now, she felt miles away from either of them.

<Fine.= Abby swallowed, lifting her eyes to meet Cassie9s. <Zoe9s sister9s at college with Tom.= She was speaking softly, carefully. <And we weren9t sure if it was a big deal, what was going on with you two, but the word is...= She sighed. <Look, I9m just going to say it...The word is, Tom9s dating someone.=

The nausea that hit Cassie was so sudden, so fierce that she had to steady herself on the arm of her chair.

Tom was seeing someone?

But her lips were still tingling from kissing him! They9d just arranged a pull1the1stops1out1date tomorrow!

<Errr...= No words came.

Zoe has to have it wrong.

<I9m sorry, Cass...= Tash put her hand on Cassie9s arm4but Cassie shook it off. No. She was the one who knew that boy best. She was the one Tom talked to for hours until they fell asleep. Not stupid Zoe9s stu1 pid sister. <We thought you9d rather know.=

Rather know? She9d rather plunge her head into the vat of mulled cider on the counter.

But freaking out wouldn9t help anything. There had to be an explanation! And she needed her friends to get on board with the new Tom while she sorted this mess out.

Cassie took a deep breath, trying to channel Zen1like calm.

<Look, guys...= She tried to sound unrattled. <I9m sure it9s just a mix1up. I mean thanks for telling me, but I9m sure there9s a simple explanation. I9ll chat with Tom tomorrow. Clear it up.=

She needed to focus on the facts and not some stupid rumor. She9d just kissed him! Whoever started the rumor wasn9t going to take away the perfect, romantic Christmas she9d been planning for weeks.

Her phone vibrated on the table, with a voice note from someone she didn9t expect. Her dad.

Eight forty1five a.m. in Sydney. She couldn9t remember if that meant he was in the future or the past. Either way, it was early for him to be messag ing. Cassie lifted her phone up to listen, ignoring that Tash and Abby were still looking at her like she was a puppy someone had just kicked.

Hello, my darling daughter. Beautiful morning here. Hearing her dad9s thick weird hybrid American1Australian accent4or Australican, as he called it4always made her feel better. Honestly, Sydney is something else. The beach today4he blew a kiss4unbelieeeeva-bull! The sound of waves felt a million miles away from the snow falling outside. So it9s a quick one. But I wanted you to be the orst to know. He paused. Zara mom9s had some

hospital stuf come up. Everything9s all okay, don9t you worry, but we can9t make it in January. Okay, maybe his voice didn9t always make her feel better. This was the worst! Now, I haven9t spoken to your mom yet. But me and Zar had an idea. How about you coming to Australia for Christmas instead? Wait, what? Cassie stuck a onger in her ear to make sure she was hearing it right. I know, it9s late in the day. Bit of a wild one. But we9d make it super special for you. Tofurky and a tan! He laughed at his own joke. I9ve already looked up nights for this weekend4all you need to do is say yes!

Was her dad really offering to switch her cozy Oak Falls Christmas for her first1ever visit to Australia? Swap snowflakes for surfboards?

Cassie played her dad9s message again, her mind spinning.

<You okay?= Abby shook Cassie9s knee. <You look like you9ve seen a ghost. And not in a 8Christmas Carol9 way.=

Cassie just blinked.

<Can you cook a Tofurky on a BBQ?= she asked. So many thoughts and questions were racing through her brain that it had given up and gotten stuck on Christmas dinner.

Tash snorted. <I9m going to say yes? Based on nothing but vibes? But seriously, Cass. What is going on...?=

Cassie shook her head, still in disbelief. <This=4 she pressed Play on the message, making sure her volume was on full, cupping her hand behind the

speaker4<is what9s going on.= She watched as Tash9s jaw dropped, as Abby mouthed Oh my god.

But what could she say to her dad? Saying yes meant seeing him. Meeting Zara. Swapping her down vest for a bikini. Removing hair. So very much hair. Missing out on the holidays with Abby, Tash, her mom. Tom.

If she said no, she could have a cozy Christmas with her besties. Clear up that whole silly rumor. Have her first Christmas as Tom9s official girlfriend.

Go to Tash9s Crimbo Limbo house party4the legend1 ary and best night Tash threw every year in the limbo between Christmas and the new year, where no one knew what day of the week it was and pajamas were day wear. Miss out on some hot beach time, sure, but she could drown that sorrow here with hot chocolate.

<Let9s play that one more time,= Tash said. <Because if I heard right, you9re being offered the free trip of a lifetime starting in=4she checked her Apple Watch4<less than seventy1two hours.=

<Do you think they really do put tinsel on their palm trees?= Abby asked. <I saw a TikTok about it.=

Cassie tried to stop the overwhelm as they lis1 tened again.

Don9t panic, Cass. You just need time to think, that9s all. No need to rush. This was a big decision. But as the message played for a fourth time, another notification pinged.

SNOWFLAKES OR SURF BREAKS?

Dad: Hey darling! Forgot to say. The flights are on hold for 12 hours. To come out for just over two weeks if that works? Chat with your mom and let me know as soon as you can xxx / 🥂🎄

Dad: Hope it9s a yes! 🙌

Dad: Crossing all my fingers and toes

Okay, maybe there was a rush. Maybe it was time to make a decision4a cozy Christmas at home, or a season of surf and snow?

2. SNOWFLAKES

SOGGY WAS NOT THE WAY Cassie wanted to start the next day. Or any day. On opening her eyes at 7 a.m., she discovered her phone still in her hand, a pros and cons list still open from the night before...along with a notiocation from Tom. Had he been sending her late-night messages? Crap, her phone was on 1 percent. She reached down to grab her charging cable, knocking over the undrunk glass of water on her nightstand.

She felt like pufy-faced death, and as her hair dripped down her back, she realized she still had zero idea what to do about her dad. Her mom was fully behind her going4her philosophy was you only ever regretted not saying yes to things (except celery, public nudity, and line dancing4her mom9s three hard lines). And Mom could spend Christmas with her sister, Cassie9s Aunt Sarah, who lived two hours away in Woodstock, and was famously known for eating just cheese boards until January rolled around. But Cassie couldn9t tell if her mom was just being extra enthusiastic to make sure Cassie

didn9t feel stuck between her and dad. Which, in reality, she always kind of did.

She straightened up her pillow, dragged her comforter around so the soggy part was on the opposite corner, and burrowed back under the covers, to continue last night9s research, googling <What is Boxing Day in Australia?= and <How likely am I to ond a spider in the bathroom in Sydney?=

Dad: Any news? Am ready to book!!

With an actual whimper, Cassie threw her phone on the bed, before undignioedly scrabbling it back, remembering the messages from Tom.

Tom: Morning my little sugar plum fairy.

She cracked her orst smile of the day. Cassie and Tom had spent years inventing embarrassing greetings, and this one got bonus marks for being festive. Especially considering he9d sent it at 2:09 a.m.

Tom: Still on for this evening? I9ve got a plan in mind...

Cassie9s mind raced straight to what she hoped he had in mind. But Tom could wait a little bit for her reply. If that rumor had even the tiniest hint of truth to it, he deserved to be left hanging for a bit. And she did need to get back to her dad before the end of the day on his side of the world. She scrolled

LILA HAZELL

through the messages in Emotional Support Coven, the chat she had with Tash and Abby. The quicker she scrolled, the less likely they might try to make her decision for her.

Tash: Tell me your seats are booked already!

Abby had replied with a gif of a koala in a Santa hat. Tash had then unleashed a stream of photos. Liam Hemsworth. Troye Sivan. Adut Akech. The Kid Laroi. A quokka hugging the camera. Margot Robbie. Jacob Elordi smiling. Jacob Elordi sweating. Jacob Elordi blinking.

Cassie laughed. Her friends were unstoppable.

But she had to make her own decision4and they didn9t understand how she felt about Tom. If she disappeared to Australia, Tom would have headed back to college by the time she returned, and everything would stay stuck in this limbo. Even a quokka with tinsel couldn9t make that feel better.

There was a knock at her bedroom door. <Tea?= asked Cassie9s mom. She walked in slowly, carrying a tray, the reindeer slippers Cassie had bought her last Christmas padding across the carpet. Ooh, tea. Hot buttered toast, too. Daisy followed behind, curling up at the end of Cassie9s bed, right on her feet as usual.

<I heard a bang so I ogured you were up.= Her mom put the tray down on her bedside table, gently knocking the big stones

Cassie had collected in the forest and painted with pictures of her friends and family, as she did a double take at the wet noor.

<It9s not what you think,= Cassie said, sitting up. <Unless you think I just knocked a whole glass of water on myself, in which case you9re spot-on.=

Her mom laughed as she perched on the end of the bed, a fresh batch of unopened cards all addressed to Ms. Joy Jones sticking out of her robe pocket. Every year her mom got batches and batches from just some of the people she9d helped with her human rights charity. Although Cassie bet none of them would ever picture the powerhouse CEO in nufy reindeer slippers. <So, how are you feeling this morning?=

<Drenched?= Cassie said, reaching over for her tea. It was her favorite, cinnamon and star anise.

<I meant about your dad9s ofer...= Her mom tucked a piece of hair behind Cassie9s ear. They both knew exactly what she meant.

When they9d talked it through last night, her mom had made it clear that the only bad decision Cassie could make was one where she tried to please everyone but herself. But what if she didn9t know what she wanted?

<Ooh!= Her mom picked up the stone Cassie had painted of Daisy. <I didn9t know you9d done a new one...=

Cassie watched her mom looking proud as she turned it over in her hands. Noticed that her mom was wearing the tiny Christmas tree earrings Val had made. Saw the scribbled foil tape reminder on the back of her mom9s hand, because they planned to make their stained-glass decorations tomorrow. The usual classic mother-daughter soldering and grinding time. It was what they always did when her mom9s vacation time started. And was that the Charlie Brown Christmas album already playing downstairs? The soundtrack to all their Decembers.

<Well, breaking news,= Cassie announced. Suddenly she just knew what to do. <As of...about ofteen seconds ago, I

think I have made a decision.= Her mom lifted her eyes expectantly. <You9re going to be stuck with me this year. So better go get that foil tape!=

Cassie loved how much that made her mom smile.

Her dad and Zara could visit later in the year, and Australia could wait till she was ready.

<You sure?= her mom pressed.

<One hundred percent,= Cassie said, meaning it. Yes, traveling would be an adventure, but holidays in Oak Falls were where her heart was.

And she already felt so much lighter for having made the decision.

<Better cancel that Brie I ordered for my sister9s, then.= Her mom laughed. <And the Gouda.= She ninched. <And I really love Gouda.= But Cassie could tell she was delighted, even if she was pretending to be deep in cheese-board mourning. <Oh, and for the record,= Cassie9s mom said, standing up, <this fresh toast and your favorite tea deonitely weren9t to remind you how good you have it here.= She swiped one of the pieces of toast, took a bite, and winked.

Yes, Cassie9s dad would be sad, but they could make a new plan. Maybe she could go to Australia next Christmas. Maybe with Tom?!

After a long talk with her dad, who was super sweet and suggested he9d cover some nights for her later in the year instead, Cassie spent the afternoon helping her mom with some gift shopping, mentally counting down to her date the whole time.

Freshly showered and wrapped in her nufy reindeer bathrobe, Cassie opened her closet. She needed an outot that would completely noor Tom, whatever plan he had in mind

(from ice-skating to something with a lot less clothes). But she also needed to look like she9d casually pulled it together.

After trying on almost every single thing she owned, Cassie had worked up such a sweat that she had to jump back in the shower. Which meant she was running late. Then her moisturizer wouldn9t go on, as she was still half soaked. And how had she missed a whole strip of leg hair?

When she onally stepped out into evening, the cold winter air hit her along with a wave of excitement. She tightened her ongers around the cardboard tube. The time had come to give Tom her painting, tell him how she felt. Clear up that rumor, too.

She threw her checked scarf around her shoulders and pulled down her nufy light sage knit hat, which she knew looked great with her green eyes and freshly washed (twice) long brown hair. Mission Tom and Cassie Make It Oïcial was on! But as she marched through the snow, Cassie9s phone vibrated.

Jack Diallo: Pic for one of your stones?

It was a photo of a slightly startled-looking bird taking a break on a snowy tree branch in Jack9s stall.

Jack Diallo: It9s a chickadee. Although guess everyone knows that. I think it looks a bit like you when I said I didn9t do Christmas sweaters???

She laughed4both at the picture and his assumption that she could identify it as anything more than round black-and-white bird4and gave it a thumbs-up. And when she looked up

again, there was Tom, leaning casually on the lamppost at the entrance to the Christmas market. Wearing the long coat she loved, two hot drinks in hand. He grinned as he held one out.

<An apology for yesterday.=

If only Abby and Tash could see Tom now, acting like the boyfriend Cassie always knew he could be. If only Zoe9s sister could see!

<Strong start.= Cassie took it, pretending not to be impressed that he9d made the efort to get her favorite chai latte from the bookshop café. <But I9ve cleared my calendar for whatever epic plan you have in mind. In fact, I9ve turned down Australia for this, so...expectations are high.=

<Australia, huh?= He looked impressed. <I9ll try not to feel too smug that a date with me beat out a whole vacation.=

<Better tell that to your face,= Cassie said, an eyebrow raised, at Tom9s incredibly conodent4and annoyingly hot4grin, which suggested he felt very smug indeed.

<What can I say? You made the right choice! I think you9re going to like what I have in mind.= His blue eyes actually sparkled. He swept his arm in front of him. <Starting with... a tour of America9s most quaint Christmas market.= He pulled a white paper bag out of his pocket. <First up, the 8must chew before you9re through.9= Cassie opened the bag4the cinnamon smelled delicious. He9d remembered that she loved her donuts with extra Nutella, too. <And yes.= Tom dropped his chin. <I know you work here, but we couldn9t start an Oak Falls Christmas reunion any other way, am I right?= He was indeed very right. <Nice hat, by the way.=

<Nice donuts.= She took a bite. He9d have to work way harder if he wanted a proper compliment. He leaned down to

kiss her, but she dodged his lips and looped her arm through his, steering him under the giant archway made of candy canes and or trees, the massive oak falls letters lit up in snownake lights. Cassie knew he9d think it was cheesy, but things were on her terms now, so she introduced him to all the stall holders she9d met over the last few weeks, loving their double takes as she walked in with Tom on her arm.

As Cassie was looking at some brightly colored wreaths made of recycled saris, Tom spotted a woman whose stroller was stuck in the wooden path and rushed to lift it up and out as if it weighed nothing. Cassie took in the view of Tom casually lifting heavy things and helping a person in distress.

And then she put down what she was looking at and marched over to him. Behind the Meet Santa at His Workshop cabin, she didn9t just break her no-kissing resolve with Tom, she totally trashed it.

<You know,= she said when she eventually came up for air. <PDAs aren9t usually my thing.= But she knew full well that, when it came to Tom, she didn9t care how public it was.

<Kissing while listening to kids ask for LEGO trains isn9t normally mine,= Tom said. When Tom was good, he wasn9t just good. He was delicious. <But when an old friend asks so very nicely...=

<If that9s what you9d call us...= Was now the time for her to say the thing? But how was she supposed to look into those eyes, that dark hair falling in front of his face, and be stern?

<Us, huh?= He put his hand under her chin and kissed her again. First softly on each cheek. Then lightly on her nose.

<Friends was deonitely the wrong word...=

And now they were kissing again. How was she supposed to stop this and start talking about that stupid rumor, when he was running his hand up the back of her neck? Into her hair.

And when they onally stopped, Tom didn9t even break eye contact.

<Speaking of friends...there was something I wanted to talk about later.= He had a glint in his eye. <Unless you want to talk about it now?=

No, if she was onally getting a big romantic gesture, it was not happening while she could hear Geof from the cofee shop bellowing Ho ho ho as he olled in for the usual Santa, who had called in sick.

<Later works,= she replied, trying to keep an air of mystery. She could surprise him too, with the painting that was still awkwardly wedged in her pocket. She put her hand back in his, and side by side they strolled along the path lit with twinkly festoon lights.

<Did you manage to ogure out=4she thought back to one of their recent late-night calls4<um... Narrative Fragmentation and the Mind in The Bell Jar?=

Cassie was proud of herself for remembering the title.

<Cass, Sylvia Plath was a very complicated woman. As are all women.= Tom squeezed her hand. <Not people to be ogured out, but to be listened to.=

Yeah, Cassie always loved being told what women were like. She attempted to remain composed. <Thanks.= Her grades had always been above Tom9s, but he had a new sense of superiority now, just because he9d left for college ahead of her. They9d have to work on that.

Her phone vibrated.

Tash: If plans change, Abby9s at my place. HELLO MOVIE NIGHT. Lots of Chris Hemsworth.RebelWilson.HudsonWilliams.

Tash: He9s not Australian. But he is hot so

Cassie laughed. She knew Tash thought she was crazy not saying yes to her dad. But messages like that, and movie nights with her besties, just made her more convinced she9d made the right choice in staying home.

Cassie: Ha. Probs see you tomorrow but will let you know xx

Abby: And do you still collect charms?? Asking for a friend.

Cassie ran her onger over the thin silver charm bracelet Abby had bought both her and Tash last year.

Cassie: Tell your friend I do. And that they9re the best

When she looked up, she saw a ogure blocking her path. A ogure nanked by two eight-foot Christmas trees, wrapped up in netting. Jack set their trunks down with a bang.

<Wonky or straight?= Jack spun the one on the left. <Because sure, this one9s not your traditional triangle shape, but who says Christmas is about tradition?= He winked at Cassie.

Tom didn9t smile, just pushed past the wonky tree. Jack had to steady it to stop it from falling over.

LILA HAZELL

<Not today, bro.= Tom nodded back at Cassie, who was painfully aware that Tom might come across as rude. <Kinda busy.=

Oh, he thought Jack was selling them something.

<No, Tom. This is Jack!= Cassie rolled her eyes with a laugh. <Who I was telling you about?=

Tom didn9t move, just looked Jack up and down. With Tom in his perfect coat and long soft scarf, and Jack in his scrufy wax jacket and holey gloves, they looked like before and after versions of a oght with a hedge. Well, a Christmas forest. Cassie felt like she needed to explain. <Jack9s been keeping me sane while I9ve been at work.=

<I9d shake your hand, but...= Jack smiled and indicated the trees, ignoring the shade Tom was throwing. <You must be Tom, right?=

Tom just nodded. <Sure.=

Wait, was Tom jealous? And worse, did Cassie kind of like that he might be? Eww4she was giving herself red nags.

<To your original question.= Cassie stepped forward, shaking her head with a smile to ease the awkward. Boys. <Both one choices, Jack.= Cassie shook the wonky one. She9d always choose the wonky one. <And if there was an award for Best Seller of Christmas Trees in the Most Quaint Christmas Town in North America, you9d be right up there to win it.=

Jack grinned. <There are only three of us who work here4=

<Hey, sorry to be that guy,= Tom interrupted, not looking sorry at all, <but, Cass, we need to get to our reservation.=

<Okay, okay.= Cassie got the message. Wrap this up. <Jack, you on shift tomorrow?= She was pleased when he nodded.

<Great. I9ll come ond you. Be ready to show me any more pics you9ve got of those, er, round birds.=

<Chickadees. And consider me warned,= Jack said with a smile and a little shake of the trees.

So, promising to ond him at lunch, Cassie headed of with Tom to the skating rink, where he9d booked them a spot. Maybe it wasn9t the Wollman Rink in Central Park, but with the market twinkling in the distance, and the cute rows of houses all lit up down the hill, Cassie truly believed it was better. By the time they9d picked up their skates, Tom9s vibe was less icy, which was ironic.

<Jack seems like a nice guy,= Tom said as he laced up his skates. Cassie couldn9t wait to get on the rink4the owners often let the market staf skate for free when it was quiet, so she9d gotten much better and she knew Tom would be impressed. <You didn9t mention him before, though, did you?=

<I didn9t?= Cassie deonitely had; she had nothing to hide having a new friend. But if Tom wanted to play that game, protecting his fragile ego because he felt threatened by another guy, she could play it even better. She clip-clopped her way to the ice, glad Tom was still tying his laces, as this was deonitely not the sexy part of skating. She eased out on to the rink, loving that because the snow was getting heavier now, the ice was half empty. There were just a few couples, and families with kids clutching giant reindeer and penguin skating aids to keep their balance.

She skated her orst lap, soaking up the magic of this time of night, then swooped up next to Tom as he stepped onto the ice. <Jack9s been a lifesaver at this market. There9s hardly anyone our age to talk to, and when it9s quiet, man, can the days

drag.= She casually threw in a spin and skated backward, Tom following her with his long coat billowing behind him, hands in his pockets. <Although, wasn9t there a girl you9d mentioned too...?= Cassie kept her voice casual, as if the words FIND OUT WHAT ZOE9S SISTER WAS TALKING ABOUT weren9t nashing in her brain. <Abby9s friend9s sister or something? Chloe ...maybe?=

Tom shrugged. <Doesn9t ring a bell.= He looked like he really meant it. Cassie felt her shoulders drop with relief. <There have been a lot of new names, though...= He reached his hand toward Cassie. <You should come visit. Meet everyone.=

Cassie spun again, grinning. Meet everyone. She would love to. This was what she wanted. Future plans. Tom making her part of his college life. Tom being part of hers. Being a real couple.

<And what do you think they9d make of your friend from back home?=

She sped up, nervous about his reaction.

<I think they9d love you, too,= Tom called after her conodently.

Love?! Cassie almost tripped over her skates. Was that a Freudian slip?

Whatever it was, it was conormation that, on this shimmering ice rink, she was onally going to have the Christmas moment she had been longing for with Tom. Her breath condensed in the freezing air as she regained her composure, nicked her blades on their edge, and turned dramatically to stop in the middle of the rink right in front of him.

<How about we plan a weekend, then?= She held the lapels of his coat as she pulled him close. <Although, if we do, I

wouldn9t want anyone to get the wrong idea...= Pause. Stay calm. <Think we were boyfriend and girlfriend.= She grinned up at him. C9mon, Tom. Take the challenge.

<Now why would they think that?= He pulled her in even tighter.

Cassie9s heart quickened. This was the moment.

<Maaaaybe because we9ve spent four years being of and on...=

<Could be a reason,= Tom said with a disarming grin.

Cassie gazed up at him. <Or maybe it9s because we9ve onally realized how much we like each other.= She blinked, the world feeling a little wobbly. <That it9s time to be together for real...=

Hardly able to believe she9d gotten the words out, she closed her eyes and reached up to kiss him. Yes, they were in the middle of the ice and everyone could see. But if you9re going to make a romantic gesture, you might as well go all in.

But...

No kiss.

No lips on hers.

Just... nothing.

She opened her eyes.

<Cass...=

Why does he look confused?

<Sorry, have I missed something here?= Is he pushing himself backward?

<Um, no.= She let go of his lapels. <I just meant...y9know. After everything you9ve been saying...I thought, well...I er, thought we both thought it was time that...=

But she couldn9t say any more. Not when he was looking at her like that. Like she was speaking a diferent language.

LILA HAZELL

<I9m not following.= Okay, he9s deonitely edging backward. <We9re good, right? Going to have a fun Christmas?= He shrugged with a smile, like this was no big deal.

<Fun. Christmas?= Cassie could only repeat it, not even able to match his tone. That was what he was ofering after she9d just said what she9d said? After he9d spent the last few months saying everything he9d been saying!

<Sure.= He grabbed the ends of her scarf playfully. <Like we always do?=

Cassie9s jaw actually dropped. Was she going to scream?

Cry? Commit murder with an ice skate? But Tom took her silence as compliance4fascinating from someone who9d said only minutes ago how much he liked listening to women.

<Although the thing I was going to say earlier...= He smiled, pulling her near again, lowering his voice and absolutely not noticing that she could barely blink. <Let9s make this holiday extra fun.= He raised an eyebrow suggestively. <9Cause in the new year I might need to dial down the whole friends with beneots thing, put it on ice for a bit. I9ve kind of met someone. And it9s early days but=4he tugged her scarf again, which made her slide toward him against her will4<I think you9d really like her.=

Sorry, was he really telling her about a girl he liked, while playing with her scarf?

Looking at her with those kiss-me eyes?

Asking her to give him everything he wanted, while she got zilch?

There was only one thing she could think of that she really wanted to put on ice. And it was in his pants.

He hadn9t changed one bit! In fact, he was worse than ever! A performative feminist wrapped up in a stupidly long coat!

Cassie was done! Furious. Embarrassed. Humiliated.

Worst of all, really, really sad.

<Yeah, Tom, I9m sure I9d really like her.= Cassie could hear herself saying the words, but they didn9t feel like they were coming out of her mouth. <She9s a lucky girl. Real lucky.= She grabbed her phone from her pocket. <Oh, wow. I forgot. I promised Tash and Abby I9d hang out with them at eight. Which is now.=

<But...you9re in the middle of the rink?= How dare he have the nerve to sound confused! <And I9ve booked us a table for later?=

<Well, since that ten-K my calf9s been acting up...= She grabbed at her leg, in her panic unsure whether her calf was the part below the knee or above it.

<Are you for real?= he asked, as if he was the one being wronged. She had to get out of here.

<Guess this friend9s not going to have any beneots tonight,= she called back. Tom, prepare to marvel at my dramatic exit!

As she turned to go, though, she careened right into the path of a child clutching a giant penguin. And instead of a dramatic parting shot, she face-planted on the ice next to a boy who was wailing so loudly the medics appeared, even though she was the one whose hand got run over by a blade.

Mortioed, she somehow scrambled of the ice, and turned to see if Tom had even noticed. He was just standing still, shaking his head, like she was the pathetic, unreasonable one.

Cassie tore her laces undone. Stupid Tom! Stupid Christmas rom-coms that made her believe everyone got a happy ending! Stupid children on weirdly heavy penguins! But most of all, stupid her. That was the thought that went around and

LILA HAZELL

around in her head as she power-marched through the market, past the library, and up the hill to Tash9s.

When Tash opened the door, she took one look at Cassie and her face fell.

<Don9t say anything. Take your coat of. Come upstairs...= Tash had already peeled of Cassie9s scarf. <We9re going to spend the next two hours4in fact, the entire night4manifesting all the ways we want Tom to get impaled on a Christmas tree. Agreed?= Cassie could only nod meekly as Tash undid her coat buttons, then bundled her inside, steering her up the stairs and into her room. Abby was sitting cross-legged on Tash9s enormous super-king bed, and when she saw Cassie, her handful of popcorn froze midair.

<What happened?= she asked, immediately shuöing over to make room.

<Emergency protocol,= Tash commanded, sitting Cassie down on the bed. <Unconormed by the victim, but I think we have a casualty of some high-level gaslighting.=

Cassie nodded, grateful not to have to explain anything. <But I also think,= Tash said, grabbing her nuïest red-and-green snownake blanket, <that we have a whole night ahead of us to remind said victim that they are a top-tier human, way better than any stuck-up, egomaniac, naky, Sylvia-Plath-quoting man-child. Whose entire personality, let9s face it, is being tall.=

Abby bundled Cassie into the biggest hug of all time.

<Too soon to say I9m going to kill him?= Abby hissed, seething. But in a loving way.

Cassie wasn9t sure what hurt most.

Tom being...Tom?

The fact that she9d really thought he had changed?

The embarrassing déjà vu of her best friends having to pick up the pieces yet again?

Cassie stared up at the ceiling.

<I9m sorry4=

Ouch. A snowman-shaped cushion hit her in the face.

<Enough!= Abby poked her in the leg. <Rage...one. Revenge...here. for. It. Apologizing to us? No way. You are not the problem here.=

<Thanks, guys.= Cassie discreetly rubbed under her eyes, hoping they couldn9t tell she9d been crying on the march over. Oh, okay, her ongers were black with mascara4they were being polite. Abby passed her a tissue. <I guess Tom hasn9t changed. Never will. And onally, onally, I might be getting the message. Also=4she looked at her hands4<a child skating over your ongers is actually super painful.=

She really had made some spectacularly bad decisions.

No boyfriend.

No Australia.

All she had was ongers covered in Band-Aids and her perfect holiday ozzling away.

2. Surf Breaks

CASSIE WIPED THE COLD WATER o her face with her comforter.

Well, this sucks.

Today was a big day—deciding about Australia and going on her date with Tom. And squashing that rumor so she could get the plan back on track. Shivering in bed, drenched, on three hours’ sleep was not the start she needed.

First things rst—she needed co ee. An hour later she was on one of the wooden benches outside the Oak Falls library, co ee in hand, loving all the dogs in costumes stopping by for a pat as Daisy sni ed around in the snow. is is more like it. Now all she needed was Abby and Tash to join her.

Dad: No pressure, but if you could let me know in the next hour that would be great!

Dad: Having a nice time with Zara as I wait to ond out

“What’s that face for?” Abby asked as she sat down.

“Praying my dad’s eating moussaka tonight,” Cassie said, icking her screen o , trying to delete the vision in her head.

“Is this some euphemism I’m not ge ing?” Abby asked cautiously. Cassie showed her the message, which made Abby laugh so hard she almost choked on her at white. “So moving on . . .” Abby took a deep breath, focusing carefully on her words, still perilously close to losing it all over again. “You still haven’t made up your mind?”

Cassie took a deep breath.

“I’m y- y. In an ideal situation I wouldn’t make any decision until a er I see Tom tonight. But . . .” Cassie shrugged.

Abby looked at her sideways. “I’m sorry, Cass. Back up there. In what world is a surprise last-minute trip to Australia not an ideal situation? I’d be on that plane already if it was me!”

Cassie picked at the lid of her drink, wondering what to say. It was nice that Abby, Tash, and her mom were all so supportive of her going, but it did bug her that they also seemed happy enough to say goodbye for the whole holidays when she’d been counting down the days till they’d be together again.

“Be er late than never.” Tash scooted herself down on the other side of Cassie, looking like a movie star in her dark black winged sunglasses. “And yes, I have brought my own.” She waved her pink Yeti cup. “Money-saving queen.” She sipped it with a grin. “Look a er the cents and the cents will pay for”—she icked her hair—“a really good blowout, non?” She pulled her sunglasses down her nose, peering over them. “Couldn’t come back home and have people think my standards have slipped.”

“I’ll let everyone know,” Cassie said with a grin.

“Wait.” Tash held her palm up. “ at face is giving ‘still haven’t decided about Australia.’ Isn’t the deadline”—she checked her phone—“now?”

Cassie snorted. “Yeah, my dad wants to know in the next forty-two minutes . . .” She looked at her phone for a time check. And a Tom-message check. “Make that forty-one.”

“Well, you know what we think . . .” Tash reminded her, like Cassie could have forgo en.

“And we meant it when we’d said we’d do those last shi s at the stall to cover you,” Abby added, which was a pre y epic o er. “Although you’d have to warn Val my art skills extend to stick people only.”

“For sure.” Tash nodded, icking the ends of her bouncy red hair. “ e shi s, not the stick people bit.”

“Guys.” Okay, she was going to say the thing. “Could we not have a moment, just a beat, where you say, Don’t go, Cass, we’ll miss you too much!?” It sounded even more needy out loud. “And We might as well cancel Christmas!?” She tried to redeem herself by ending on a joke.

Abby rolled her eyes. “ at goes without saying, Cass. You think I’d give up my break to work for anyone else?”

“So sel ess of us. Heroines! And absolutely nothing to do with the cute Christmas tree boy hanging around.” Tash winked.

“ e truth is, we’ll miss you like crazy,” Abby said. She was using her serious voice. “But we also don’t want you to miss the opportunity to get on a plane for a tropical Christmas!” She paused. “Sydney’s tropical, right?”

“I think so . . .” Cassie said.

“And if you’re seeing your dad now, you can come visit us in January!” Abby pointed out.

“Cass,” Tash said, “if it’s really meant to be with Tom, then he’ll understand. He can wait a few weeks. is is a big deal for you.”

Cassie wasn’t sure what she wanted. And she de nitely wasn’t sure what Tom was going to say.

But then her dad sent another message. A picture of him crossing his ngers on the most gorgeous beach, a warm orange sunset behind him.

Dad: Took this earlier. You kids are into man1 ifesting things, right? Well, this is my attempt g /

ere was something about how much he wanted her there . . .

And how excited her friends looked . . .

And how Tash had a point—maybe Tom could be the one to wait for her for a change.

Should you make a snap decision to travel around the world a er three hours of sleep? Probably not.

But she was going to anyway.

She looked up at Abby and Tash. “You want the bad news or the good news?”

Abby said “bad” just as Tash said “good.” Cassie had to laugh.

“I’ll start with the bad. You might have to work some shi s at Val’s a er all—”

But she didn’t get to nish. Abby leaped up and started circling her hands in front of her, chanting “Oh yes she did!” as Tash threw herself across the bench, hugging Cassie and squeaking. Mainly squeaking.

Cassie laughed and tried to soak up her friends’ excitement. She was really doing it. She was going to Australia to have an adventure of her own for once. But rst she needed to speak to her dad.

Maybe it was the news about her coming, the wait she’d put him through, or the wine he and Zara had drunk, but he whooped so loudly she wasn’t sure if the cheering was coming through her phone, or around the whole globe to Oak Falls. Zara sent her the ticket con rmation before she’d even ended the call.

When Cassie ended the call, she was on the biggest high! She had so much to do before one last unforge able date with Tom tonight.

So, a er an excited group hug with her besties, she headed home to start packing . . . and was so excited about the trip, she didn’t even hesitate to climb into the cobweb- lled a ic for her biggest suitcase.

But she did hesitate when she spo ed the wooden box her mom kept their Christmas stockings in. is would be her rst-ever year without hanging up a stocking on her mantel. Which made her think about missing the Santa parade . . . And who was going to make stained glass with her mom? Make Daisy a special dog Christmas dinner! Match ou its with Tash and Abby at the Crimbo Limbo party!?

What Cassie really wanted was to be in two places at once! She opped back onto her bed, her empty suitcase next to her.

ere was only one thing to do. Cassie cranked up her favorite Christmas-pop playlist and Kelly-Clarksoned the situation, warbling along to “Underneath the Tree” as she nished loosely braiding her hair. Tonight with Tom had to go well. It would be the only time she’d see him before he went back to college, and not only did she have to drop the news about Australia, she needed to put to bed all the rumors that were swirling. e rumors that were making her second-guess everything.

Cassie arrived early for their date. Knowing she looked cozy and cute, she leaned against the lamppost outside the co ee