Prologue
"As the first snowflake settled, it whispered secrets of a winter tale waiting to unfold."
The doorbell chimed, its sound mingling with the cheerful voices resonating from downstairs. With a smile, I rose from my bed and hastened downstairs. Before joining the gathering, I cast a final glance in the mirror, ensuring my red dress and hair were immaculate. Satisfied, I ventured downstairs to welcome the arriving family members.
Amidst laughter and smiles, my parents, aunt, and uncle awaited. Upon seeing me, my aunt emitted a delighted squeal, and we embraced before I exchanged greetings with my uncle. In the spacious foyer, as we conversed, the door swung open, and my brother made his entrance, eliciting further joyous sounds from us. It had been since last Christmas, his sole visit home from college, that I had last seen him. Though he adored his college life, I had missed him dearly.
As I prepared to embrace him, I noticed someone trailing behind him. “Chase,” I murmured, though my voice was lost amidst the commotion of greetings. My heart quickened its pace, a familiar sensation whenever my brother’s best friend was near. I puzzled over his unexpected presence. While it was customary for him to join us during their high school days, they were no longer adolescents, and didn’t he have a serious girlfriend now?
“Goblin!” my brother exclaimed upon spotting me, prompting me to cross my arms, perturbed by the use of that outdated nickname. Sure, I might not have been the most beautiful child, but I had long since outgrown that phase.
“Really?” I retorted. “Now I’m not sure if I want to greet you at all.”
“Why?” he queried, casting me a puppy-eyed look. With a sigh, I relented, succumbing to his entreaty. Approaching him, I embraced him, only to find myself lifted off the ground.
“Okay, put me down!” I protested, prompting a chuckle from him before finding myself face-to-face with Chase as the others proceeded into the house.
“Hey, Goblin,” he teased, passing by me.
“Hey, ass!” I retorted, eliciting laughter from him.
Shaking my head, I followed the group into the house where preparations for the meal were underway. Seated in the dining room, attended to by the staff, we engaged in conversation as my grandparents arrived, exchanging greetings before the first course was served.
As my brother spoke, my gaze involuntarily drifted to his friend accompanying him, and I noticed Chase was observing me. My heart raced in my chest, as it always did when his eyes met mine. Yet this time, his gaze seemed different, unfamiliar. Despite nearly two years having passed since we last saw each other, neither of us had changed that much, had we?
“The last little bird flying from the nest this summer is going to break my heart,” my mother remarked, interrupting the trance I had slipped into while staring at Chase.
“Mom,” I groaned, eliciting chuckles from the rest of the table.
“You’ll love it,” my brother reassured me.
“I’m sure.”
“If only she didn’t have to choose a college so far away,” my mother lamented.
“New York is where everything happens,” I teased, causing my mother to shake her head.
“Both my kids wanting to be far away,” she sighed, though we all knew she was genuinely happy for us.
“New York?” Chase inquired, turning his attention to me. I nodded slightly in confirmation.
“Yeah,” I replied.
He nodded as well, yet his gesture lacked its usual enthusiasm. Was he not happy for me? Was I reading too much into it? I chided myself for overthinking. Perhaps he was simply seizing the opportunity to tease me, as he and my brother’s friends had always done. The camaraderie among them was a familiar dynamic, one I didn’t mind much.
Having endured being labeled a “little goblin” for much of my early life, I welcomed any attention I could garner. However, the prospect of venturing so far away left me feeling apprehensive, particularly because I had never experienced the typical high school milestones like dating or even being kissed. Would I fit in among the diverse crowd of college students?
I pushed those thoughts aside as we continued with our meal, the courses transitioning smoothly. My mother shifted the conversation toward Chase.
“How’s your mother?” she asked, her gaze fixed on Chase, who seemed to erect a barrier as the topic turned to his family.
“Indoors. As usual,” he replied with a guarded tone.
“No improvement?” my mother pressed further.
“Not in the last ten years,” he responded.
His mother’s struggle with hoarding was a well-known issue. It was understandable why he preferred to spend Christmas with us rather than returning home. But that was when he was younger. Despite my curiosity about his personal life, I refrained from probing further, thankful that my mother diverted the conversation.
“So Dean tells me you have a serious girlfriend,” my mother remarked.
“We broke up,” Chase informed her, causing my brother to appear slightly uneasy.
“Dean, why didn’t you tell me?” our mother chided, giving his arm a light slap.
“Hey! I didn’t get the chance,” Dean defended himself.
“It’s fine,” Chase interjected, attempting to ease the tension.
“When did it happen?” I blurted out, unable to contain my curiosity. Chase turned to me, his intense dark blue eyes still captivating as ever.
“Yesterday,” he replied calmly.
I was taken aback by his response, but he offered me a small smile before reaching for the wine in front of him. The conversation resumed around us, but I couldn’t help but notice that Chase’s gaze lingered on me. If this continued, I was sure I’d have a heart attack. Why did some people seem to have all the luck? I pondered. Chase had always been attractive, but the two years since I last saw him had only enhanced his appeal.
His hair was trimmed even shorter on the sides, and he seemed more muscular, or perhaps I was just idealizing him. Nevertheless, he had been my ultimate crush since we first met. He wasn’t much of a talker, but perhaps that was what drew me to him. Surrounded by chatter, I felt more akin to my father—reserved and private. Yet, in a world where extroverts often had the upper hand, it was easy to feel overlooked. But Chase had never overlooked me.
I was the little ugly duckling, yet he still engaged with me, even if it was in a teasing manner. He never ignored me or made me feel insignificant. I appreciated that, but it also fueled a crushing infatuation that I couldn’t shake, even knowing he had a girlfriend. Was I bound for hell? Despite the irony, a part of me couldn’t help but wish to find Chase there too.
As dinner progressed, there was a brief interlude before dessert was announced. This time, I rose from my seat, having prepared the cake for the evening. My family members were elated, knowing I crafted the most exquisite and delectable cakes.
Exiting the dining room, I entered the kitchen to retrieve the cake from the fridge, while the staff tidied up around me. With meticulous care, I adjusted the icing, adding the final touches. Suddenly, I sensed someone nearby and turned to find Chase beside me, admiring my work.
“You’ve only improved with time,” he remarked.
“Um...” I began, feeling a flutter of nerves.
“I still remember the cake you made for my 18th birthday. I regret missing yours,” he confessed.
“You’re in college. You have more pressing matters, and a serious girlfriend who likely demands your attention,” I replied, attempting to mask my disappointment.
He nodded in acknowledgment, and as I leaned forward, the strands of my hair framing my face blocked my view of the cake. His hand brushed them back, causing my heart to skip a beat. My hand trembled slightly, almost causing a mishap with the red icing as I wrote ‘Merry Christmas’ on the cake.
“While I’m sure your hair smells delightful, I’m not sure it’ll taste as good in the cake,” he teased, breaking the tension.
“Yeah, um, probably not,” I stammered, stepping back to finish my task.
After placing the icing bag down, I turned around, intending to retrieve plates. However, due to Chase’s proximity, I nearly collided with him, the obvious tension in the air almost tangible.
“Since I missed your birthday, it’s only fair I give you a present, right?” he proposed.
“No need. It’s not important,” I insisted, noting that we were alone in the kitchen. I glanced around nervously, but then Chase reached out, gently grasping my chin and guiding my focus to him.
To my astonishment, he drew closer, stopping mere inches from my lips.
“Happy birthday, Grace,” he whispered before his lips met mine, sending a jolt of electricity through my body. A soft whimper escaped me as he deepened the kiss, wrapping an arm around my waist and tenderly slipping his tongue into my mouth, igniting a passionate exchange.
I moaned, convinced this had to be a dream, but even if it were, I never wanted to wake up. I longed to stay enveloped in his embrace, his lips on mine. It surpassed any fantasy I had entertained, yet it felt like it ended too soon.
Chase pulled back, flashing me a smirk that could melt ice, before casually dropping his arm.
“I stand corrected. You taste just as delectable as you smell,” he purred, brushing his thumb over my bottom lip before sauntering back to the dining room as if nothing had occurred.
I stood there, rooted to the spot, my knees trembling and my mind a whirlwind of confusion. What... the... hell... just... happened?
