Chapter 20: “When Snow Falls Softly”
1657 Words
“Time’s up!”
Alex suddenly announced, standing so fast he nearly tripped over his own feet.
Erika blinked at him, half wanting to pout. Couldn’t they have had just a few more minutes in each other’s arms? Didn’t he miss her? Because she did—more than she could ever say. If it were up to her, she’d stay like this all night. Wrapped in his warmth. Pretending nothing had changed.
“Come on, let’s cook,” he said, tugging gently on her hand.
Right. Pancakes. The only thing she still knew how to make.
He caught the hesitation in her eyes and smirked. “You still can’t cook, can you?”
“You were gone for two months, Alex. Not two years,” she shot back.
But the moment the words left her lips, they hit her like a sucker punch. It wasn’t just two months. It had been the longest, loneliest stretch of her life. Every second without him had been a hollow echo.
And now—even with him here—it still hurts. How was that possible?
“It felt like two years, though,” they said at the same time.
Their eyes locked. Pain flickered there—whose was it? His, or just hers mirrored back?
Erika let out a shaky laugh, trying to mask the tightness in her chest. “No drama, please,” she mumbled, breaking eye contact. “Let’s cook. I’ll be your sous-chef.”
Alex chuckled, still watching her like she might vanish if he blinked. “I still can’t believe it. Everything feels surreal.” He reached out and pinched her cheek playfully.
“Ow! Alex!” she whined, swatting his hand.
His laughter rang out, warm and familiar. God, she had missed that sound.
“It really does feel like a dream,” he said, softer now.
She reached out and pinched his side in return. “Well, if it hurts, it’s real.”
Like love, she thought silently. You only know it’s real when it starts to hurt.
“True,” Alex murmured, staring at her like he was trying to memorize every feature.
Her breath caught. Did I just say that out loud?
Why did she feel shy all of a sudden? This was Alex. She’d never felt awkward around him before.
“Let’s just cook,” she said quickly, retreating toward the kitchen like her legs needed to escape her thoughts.
“Sit down, your highness. I’ve got dinner covered.”
There it was again—that teasing smile that made her pulse stutter.
She raised an eyebrow to hide her fluster. “Thanks, noble servant.”
“I’m not a servant, I’m a knight,” he declared, puffing out his chest dramatically.
She laughed. When did Alex become… adorable?
“Fine, noble knight, cook us something delicious.”
He grinned, and her breath hitched. “Anything for you, my queen.” He gave her a little bow before turning to the stove.
“Why don’t you watch a movie while I finish up?” he offered. “I’ll call you when dinner’s ready.”
She shook her head, smiling. “We’ll do that later. Right now, I just want to watch you.”
His grin deepened. “I’d prefer that, too.”
And before she could think, he pulled her into another embrace. Warm and steady. Familiar.
“I just want to feel, one more time, that this is real,” he whispered into her hair.
She held on tighter. Her eyes burned. “I wouldn’t mind staying like this all night, Alex.”
“Me too,” he murmured, then added with a soft laugh, “But I can’t let you starve, sweetheart.”
He guided her gently into a chair.
Sweetheart. He’d called her that before—so why did it make her heart somersault now?
He moved around the kitchen with ease. Ridiculously cute in an apron. She caught herself wondering—what would it be like if this was just… normal? If this was home?
Stop it, Erika. You’re here to rebuild your friendship, not your fantasies.
“Grandpa and Grandma?” Alex asked, slicing vegetables without looking up.
“They’re on vacation. Staying at Aunt Betchy’s resort.”
“Ah. Your boyfriend’s resort?” His tone shifted—playful, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes.
Her stomach dropped. Why did I say that?
“Ex-boyfriend,” she corrected quickly. “Your brother’s resort.”
“Half-brother,” he muttered.
“Still your brother.”
Silence. He turned back to the stove, jaw tight. His movements were sharp, frustrated.
She wanted to stop him. Say something. Anything.
“What did you say?” he asked quietly.
“Huh?”
“You were thinking out loud again.”
Her heart thudded. “Who broke your heart?”
He stilled.
Can I really tell him it was you? That you broke me when you left—and now you're breaking me again just by being here?
“Pepper?”
“I’ll just… set the table.” She stood very quickly. “Where are the utensils?”
“Tell me who broke your heart, and I’ll break his face,” he said. His fists clenched.
“You seriously couldn’t do that to yourself,” she blurted, then froze.
He didn’t move. Just stood there.
“I… broke your heart?” His voice was barely a whisper.
She looked down, fingers fidgeting. She couldn’t meet his eyes.
“Tell me, Pepper.”
“When you left… I was kind of… broken,” she said softly, placing a hand over her chest. “It hurt so much. And when you act like this… it just hurts more.”
He opened his mouth. Closed it again.
She crossed the room and wrapped her arms around him from behind. He stiffened—then exhaled sharply, like he always did when trying not to cry.
“Can’t we just have this moment, Alex?” she whispered. “You’re the reason I came here. You’re the one I missed. The one I want to be with.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, turning to face her. He took her hand and put a kiss on it. “God, I’m sorry, Pepper. I always act like a jerk when I’m jealous. Leaving you broke me too.”
Her heart cracked wide. At least she had her parents. He had no one.
“There’s nothing to be jealous of, okay?” she said. “No one can replace you. I love you, Alex.”
“I love you too, Pepper.”
Tears pooled in her eyes.
“Can we undo the past? Can we just forget that night?”
He cradled her face. “Let’s not think about anything else. Just us. Tonight.”
She nodded, eyes shining. “Sounds like a truce.”
“There it is—that smile,” he whispered, brushing a kiss on her forehead. “If I act like an i***t again, you’re allowed to slap me.”
“I’ll remember that,” she said with a grin.
“Why do I feel like you’re actually looking forward to it?”
Because I really might, she thought.
“Let’s change the punishment. Slaps are too violent. How about… a kiss instead?”
Her eyes widened. “Unfair! Why would I kiss an i***t?”
“Deal’s closed,” he said, tweaking her nose.
“Why do I feel like you’re looking forward to being an i***t?”
He smirked. “Maybe… but only if you promise to kiss me better each time.”
Her cheeks burned. Is he flirting with me?
“I-I’ll set the table now,” she stammered.
“Second cupboard to your left,” he called, winking.
Her knees nearly gave out.
He played her favorite playlist while she laid the utensils. He talked about work, life in the States, his routines. And with every word, she ached to be part of his world again.
“It’s ready,” he announced.
The smell of chicken casserole filled the air. They ate like they hadn’t in days. Erika hadn’t realized how empty her stomach—or her heart—had been.
“I’m so full, I can’t move,” she groaned.
Alex laughed and helped her up.
She turned to the window—and froze.
“It’s snowing,” she whispered.
Flakes drifted from the sky like magic. Real snow. Not slush.
“Do you wanna build a snowman?” she asked, grinning.
“Come on, let’s go and play,” Alex replied, reaching for her hand.
They cleared the table in record time.
“Here. Wear this,” he said, wrapping his jacket around her. It smelled like him—home and heartache.
Outside, they turned into kids again. They tossed snowballs, built snowmen, laughed until their sides hurt.
“Alex, stop! You’ll ruin the snowman!” she squealed as another snowball hit her.
She launched one back. Missed. Of course.
“Give me your scarf, I’ll put it on mine,” she asked, trying to trick him. She launched another snowball attack, but Alex was too swift.
“Nope. Too slow.” Alex's laugh filled the air. "Pepper, you are too obvious! Have you forgotten that I can read your mind?"
She pouted, irritated.
“Fine! I won’t move. Go on, sweetheart.”
But she didn’t want to throw anything anymore.
She just wanted to kiss him.
Wait… had she always wanted to?
“Let’s just finish this. You’re impossible,” she muttered, flustered.
He stepped closer, draped his scarf on her snowman. She did the same to his.
“They’re too far apart,” she frowned.
Alex moved his closer. “You want them arm-in-arm?”
“There. Perfect,” she said, smiling—and then, without thinking, she hugged him and leaned in to kiss his cheek.
But he turned.
And their lips met.
- Writer
