THE FROSTED NIGHT

Episode 1: Homecoming Lara stepped off the small plane in Cedarcrest, the crunch of snow beneath her boots a familiar shock after months away. The mountain town looked like a postcard – snow-capped pines, wood cabins, the whole deal. She hadn't been back in a year, not since Mom's passing. "Hey, sis!" Her brother Max hugged her tight at the tiny airport. "Wedding's gonna be lit." Lara smiled, hair whipping in the cold wind. "Can't wait. Where's the fam?" "At the lodge. Gwen's stress-baking again." Max chuckled. Lara laughed. Family stuff. As they drove into town, passing the twinkling winter lights fest banners, she groaned. "Festival's still on, huh?" "Yep. Alex is running it. Total control freak." Max grinned. "You gonna see him." Lara raised an eyebrow. Alex Morgan, the guy who'd been a year ahead of her in school. Grumpy perfectionist. "Don't think that'll be a thing, Max." At the lodge, family chaos ensued. Amidst hugs and Gwen's "I-need-help-with-this-cake" panic, Lara slipped out to grab air. Snow fell soft in the lodge backyard. "Lara Monroe." A low voice. She turned. Alex Morgan leaned against a pine, arms crossed, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else. "Hey, Alex." "Back for the wedding." Statement, not a question. "Yep. Leaving right after." She smiled easy. "Don't wanna cramp the fam's style." Alex's gaze lingered, like he didn't quite believe her. "Need a photographer for the festival. Lights, events." Lara raised a brow. "You asking me?" "You're the best. I know." He said it like it pained him. Lara laughed. "Sorry, busy. Plus, isn't this like, a million-dollar event? I don't do corporate gigs." Alex pushed off the tree. "It's Cedarcrest's heart. Not corporate. And I'd owe you." Tempting. The festival was Cedarcrest's magic. And Alex... still intense. "Maybe," she said finally. "Tell me more."