The holiday market glowed brighter as the evening deepened, the sky a deep velvety blue dusted with slow-falling snow. Arielle walked beside Noah, still giggling every time she remembered the chocolate fountain fiasco. Noah’s coat had survived, more or less. His dignity? Questionable.
But he wore that melted-chocolate streak like a badge of honor.
“You could’ve warned me,” he muttered for the seventh time, rubbing at a stubborn cocoa stain on his sleeve.
“I did warn you,” Arielle said, sipping her warm tea proudly. “I said I attract disaster.”
“You should’ve been more specific,” he replied dryly. “I expected slipping on ice, not being baptized by chocolate.”
“Oh please,” she snorted. “You look delicious.”
Noah stopped walking.
Arielle froze.
“…I mean!” she squeaked. “I mean—not lik
