Snowball Warfare

“What if it doesn’t?”

Emilia’s mind ran a mile a minute with all the ways this could go wrong. Each one worse than the last. Her stomach twisted as she ran through them.

Luke might reject her, tell her he’d moved on long before she darkened his bed, and never speak to her again.

Or maybe he’d bolt. Maybe the reality of her had shattered the dream of her he’d carried so secretly. She was a lot to put up with. Especially in such close quarters.

It was possible he could hide his annoyance as well as he did his finer feelings. 

But…maybe none of that would happen.

Maybe he’d seize what she offered, kiss her stupid, and they’d spend Christmas playing many rounds of naked Twister!

Yes. That sounded plausible. Not. Still, the idea ran rampant in her fried head. She shivered and gulped, mouth going dry as her pulse kicked off a raging drumbeat in her neck and ears.

Oh, she liked that idea.

“Earth to Lia. I’m still on the phone. Do you copy?” Mel’s laughing voice sliced through her internal tempest and she hurried to cover it.

“It’s all really scary, Mel, but fine! I’ll do it. It’ll be your fault if I have to change my name and flee the country after I humiliate myself by throwing myself at him.”

Melanie chuckled, “Please text me once you’ve settled it. This is very exciting for me. It’s about time someone made you make a fool of yourself falling over them.”

Her friend’s face appeared in her mind’s eye, golden brown skin dusted with freckles as her amber eyes lit with devilry. Her full mouth curled into a wicked smile as she laughed at Emilia’s plight.

Mel’s absence wouldn’t stop Emilia from receiving that familiar expression.

Such a wicked woman, that friend of mine. Karma. She’s coming!

“You’re evil. I hate you. I don’t really, but you are on thin ice.” She blew out a loud breath and rubbed her forehead with a shaking hand. “Okay, I better go before he comes looking. I have to get through Christmas with him,” Emilia said, heart vibrating in her chest as she thought of walking back inside his house.

“Love you, too! Wait. Emilia, just don’t open—”

Emilia snarled in frustration as the line went dead. Rude. She scowled at her screen as the little bar showed her signal had flatlined. One glance out her window told her the storm was whipping up again.

A boundless flurry of snowflakes danced, visible as far as she could see. Then she turned away. Cursing her friend and herself, she scanned her room for something to take back with her.

Grabbing the first thing that caught her eye, she left the drawing on her bed and steeled herself to face Luke.

“You can do this, woman. Don’t be so stupid. He’s just a man. Handsome, considerate, and sweet—but come on! Get it together,” she said feverishly, walking in circles as she warmed herself up for—he would not fight her!

How could she act nonchalant when he wasn’t there, and she was already freaking out?!

“Okay. I can do this. Can I do this? No, that’s not right.” She heaved a sigh, wet hair close to freezing on her head as the cold finally got to her. “I can do this! He’s just a man.”

It took another few minutes of silent and out loud pep talks, plus promising herself she’d simply get drunk alone in his bedroom if all went to hell in a handbasket. Jesus. What a predicament.

Could only happen to me. Head full of air. It’s a wonder I don’t float away…

Her hands still shook as she ran out of her home. Bolting out before she could talk herself out of it. She raced back to Luke’s, slipping inside as he exited his bedroom.

There was a too long pause.

And a strained but strong heartbeat as their eyes connected for a moment. Her breath stalled in her chest.

Mind silencing at the sight of him, he really was gorgeous. Her shoulders relaxed a little.

Fuck.

How did she miss the way her hands tingled to stroke down his cheek?

How did she miss how his obsidian eyes softened and sparked alive with a flickering flame whenever they landed on her?

And how did she miss—

“That’s not a hairdryer,” he said flatly, ending her inner dialogue as he inclined his head to appraise her. She felt as though she were undergoing an x-ray.

He gave a pointed look at her hands. She clutched the curling iron in a white knuckle grip and wished she’d grabbed her hot air styling brush to cover her lie better. But it was too late now.

Play dumb. We’re really good at that.

Bravado, mixed with indifference, seemed the best approach. Wanting to observe him intently now she was aware of how he felt.

She needed to explore his world more. Find the optimal approach to the topic.

“I know. I changed my mind.” Idiot.

She was an absolute idiot. She had the strangest notion she should grab a shovel and start digging her way under the earth, so she could hide from his all-seeing eye.

“And it’s already in there.” He hooked his thumb over his shoulder toward his room, and she blushed as he said, “If I’ve done anythin’ to upset you, Emilia, I’d rather know than be lied to.”

Her stomach flipped and dropped. The urge to apologize clawed up her throat.

Oh, there was genuine hurt in his eyes; a slight hint of amusement lined his mouth despite it. She didn’t know whether to apologize and come clean or play dumb and see if she could shock anything out of him.

The latter. Definitely the latter.

“Luke, you have done nothing to upset me. Quite the opposite. I needed to call my friend before she was too busy with dinner prep.”

He crossed his arms and said, “And that required a lie? You left like you were being chased.”

Why wasn’t he backing down? Did he know she knew? How could she know if he knew she knew? This would get very confusing.

Her head had already tied itself in knots.

“I enjoy dramatics on occasion,” she returned, adopting a loose, unbothered stance and grinning as his eyes narrowed a touch.

His mouth twitched at the corners, so she took it as a win and brushed past him. She laid a hand on his arm as she did to watch his reaction in her periphery.

It didn’t disappoint. He went rigid, muscle tensing under her palm before she dropped it and hid in his room to sort her messy, wet hair.

The roar of her hairdryer muffled her overactive brain. She took her time to put herself back together.

The tremble in her hands didn’t calm until she was almost done. She her hair up into a bun and tidied away the mess she’d created in his room. She double checked her snooping hadn’t been obvious.

The book the drawing had been inside was a lodestone to her frazzled attention. She crossed her fingers, hoping he had noticed nothing amiss as she left the sanctuary of Luke’s room.

Ready to engage in a game of cat and mouse.

Storm greeted her with demands for pets the second she entered the living room. The affectionate dog joined her on the couch, half sprawled in her lap. Emilia scratched her soft head, enjoying the additional warmth as Luke nodded in acknowledgment.

A game show played on the TV, but they both ignored it while she searched for a conversation starter. He appeared lost in thought. She almost squealed when one came to her and tossed it at him.

“What would you be doing with your family if you weren’t stuck with me?”

His frown was so deep she wanted to laugh as he said, “I’m not ‘stuck’ with you.”

Ah. He didn’t like when she talked down about herself. Sweet.

She almost melted. Pushing it further, she replied, “You had other plans, and I’m sure you’d rather be with your family and not a neighbor for the holidays. That’s all I meant.”

“I’m happy where I am. But to answer your question, we’d most likely be waging war on each other and keeping score of the many snowball fights my little sister starts.”

She couldn’t picture him dropping the reserved veneer he favored to indulge in childish fun. The photo of him as a baby-faced teen and the young girl on his wall told her he could be carefree and less afraid to reveal even a hint of his emotions.

“Is she the one in the photo?” She asked and smiled when he nodded.

“Aye, that’s Ariana. She’s at University back home and still likes to cause mayhem any chance she gets,” He said, chuckling, earthen eyes lighting up and shimmering affectionately for the sibling who knew how to make him loosen up.

Her pulse jumped, warmth spread and wove around her ribs.

“She sounds feisty. I would like to meet her.” She paused as another question came to her. “What made you move all the way over here? Scotland is so far away!”

Luke chuffed, accent thickening, as he said, “I just wanted to. And I visit them as often as I can. So do they.”

She nodded. “My mom never visits. She’s like a queen. You need an appointment to see her,” she laughed, head shaking. “But my brother likes to show up without notice and barges in to tell me whatever drama he’s gotten himself into now.”

His smile—it stupefied her. She just stared at him. Her heart fluttered and started prancing. It was a full, open, and cheek creasing smile.

She wished she could take a photo without looking like a complete creep. Thankfully, Luke responded before she did exactly that.

“Ariana is the same way. I get about two days’ notice before she’s on my doorstep.”

“Again, I’d love to meet her. I think we’d get along famously.”

Luke shifted in his chair. The hot, fizzing sensation in his chest was impossible to ignore. A vivid rush of emotion ran through him at the thought of seeing her and Ariana together.

His wee sister could talk the paint off a wall once she was comfortable.

Adding Emilia to that—he’d never know a moment’s peace. The thought didn’t annoy him.

It was suddenly something he desired so intensely; he had to rein in his smile. A pink heat crept beneath his beard.

“She’ll be here in the summer. If you’re still here, I’ll send her over,” He offered and meant it, though his stomach flipped at the idea of Emilia not living next door next year.

Her silver bun bobbed as she nodded. There was a shadow of disappointment on her beautiful face. He swallowed roughly, a sour taste in the back of his throat, unsure what he’d said wrong. He’d said too much, probably.

He usually held his silence, preferring to listen and learn than babble about everything that came to mind, but something about her kept his tongue moving, hoping she would grin and flash him with both dimples.

“Don’t you worry, Luke, I’ll be here. I like it here,” She said, stroking Storm absentmindedly as more questions whirled in her electric eyes.

I like you here, too. He nearly said it aloud. His tongue was smarter than his brain. 

“Ask them. I’ll answer if I can,” He said, allowing a small smirk to slip free when she brightened.

“What do you like doing besides reading and cooking? Are you hiding any special talents?” She teased, brows waggling as he tried not to stiffen and break eye contact.

He cleared his throat and answered, “Not really. I’m not very exciting.”

Her smile closed and transformed into an unconvinced expression. It was a shade too smug for his liking, and an alarm sounded in his head.

He hadn’t been able to figure out what spooked her earlier, but she seemed happy again. It settled something restless in him, seeing her at ease in his orbit.

“I find that very hard to believe, Luke. You are far from boring.”

“I didn’t say I was borin’,” He protested, head shaking as she leaned back and laughed. He continued, “My odd work hours leave little time for hobbies. Do you have any hidden talents?”

“Absolutely. Most aren’t fit for polite company, but I like making origami dragons.” She looked away, smiling at her hands. “I scatter them in public places for kids to find.”

He opened his mouth to ask her to show him how to make them. Storm jumped down from the couch and ran to the door, tail wagging. She waited for Luke to take her outside.

Sighing, he rose, brain on autopilot as he pulled on gloves and a coat. He didn’t notice Emilia was doing the same until she stood beside him knee-deep in the snow.

Winters bright bite nipped at his exposed skin. Storm took a running leap and launched herself into a drift. She vanished for a few seconds before her bright eyes peeked out.

Luke laughed. The path he had carved that morning had already filled back in. He expected Emilia to hover close to the door, but she followed his daft dog’s lead and scooped a handful of the glittering powder.

She shaped it into an imperfect ball that she threw for Storm to chase. His face ached from smiling. He grinned even wider watching her play. Heart thudding the whole time. The snow nearly reached her waist in some spots.

That didn’t stop her. She took her time gathering more snow. Sapphire eyes fastened on him the entire time. Both of her gloved hands squeezed and molded it while Storm waited patiently for her to throw it.

Her cheeks had gone all rosy as she turned to him instead. She lifted her arm, letting her frozen missile fly straight for him. The white sphere’s slow arc gave him ample time to evade it. He did nothing of the sort.

It smacked him square in his chest. He made a noise of faux discontent and her silly little giggle as she spun around and hobbled away sounded like a challenge he couldn’t refuse. His heart rate elevated even higher as he kneeled and balled up enough snow for a few good hits.

He aimed for her bun, not moving from his spot. His bones grew lighter somehow. Shedding the weight of responsibility and built up awkwardness. He cocked his arm and sent it after her, chuckling as it hit its mark.

She dropped to her knees and squealed as it exploded to shower her in flakes of white. She rose in slow motion. A feigned glare speared straight for him.

”Oh, you’ll pay for that, Luke.”

He tossed his head back and laughed. Stomach fluttering and ears turning red. From then on, there were no rules or taking it easy, just snow warfare at its finest.

He hadn’t felt so at home in a long time. They lost track of time as they transformed into overgrown children. His back was against a wall, breath clouding and rising in white puffs to the grey shroud hiding the sun. He had made enough projectiles to last him a while.

He dared a peek over the wall of snow he used as his hideout. Eyes widening. She was waiting for him, unable to duck in time. He fell back as it hit him between his eyebrows. The gelid sting of it soon melted.

Sweat beaded his forehead despite the arctic temperature. 

“Shit! I’m sorry! I thought I’d be too slow to actually hit you.” Her voice came closer, trembling with her stumbling steps.

He armed himself well, waiting, waiting as the crunch of ice underfoot rounded his hiding spot. Her eyes grew comically wide a fraction of a second before he loosed a barrage of snowballs.

She shrieked and called him a cheater as she shielded her spluttering face. Pure annd utter nonsense. It was glorious. They chased each other and dodged snowball attacks.

Endured some, too. His heart pounded like he’d ran a marathon. She panted, too. Eyes glossy and cheeks wind whipped. Storm struggled to pick a side as he and Emilia proved to be both the silliest and most serious snowball throwers.

“You’re a traitor, Storm. Remember who feeds, walks, and waters you,” He said breathlessly, as his beloved dog chose Emilia over him and didn’t even look back.

“It’s not her fault I’m irresistible!” She cackled, voice tremulous. Snow stuck like feathers in her damp hair.

“No, it’s not...” Luke said so quietly it was a mere whisper of air, unable to fight against the wind swishing through the snow.

As he made more snowy weapons and gave her some time to gather her own, his fingers froze despite wearing gloves. He doubted his pulse would ever calm. He found more joy in her bubbling laugh every time she hit her mark than he would find in winning the fight.

About thirty snowballs rested at his feet once he was done, chaotic and oddly shaped as he rushed to finish the job.

With flushed faces and gleaming eyes, they indulged in their childish antics. He couldn’t mask his delight as a snowball exploded against the front of his coat.

He shook his head, still incapable of wiping his sappy grin away. Emilia’s laughter echoed through the snowy expanse as she scooped up snow and glanced slyly back at Luke.

Loose silver strands clung to her face and neck, but she didn’t notice as his smile turned daring.

She had a mischievous twinkle in her eye. She knelt in time to avoid his return attack and her fingers caressed the snow beneath her. Within moments, she launched her snowball toward him.

This time, he gracefully dodged it, his own laughter filling the crisp air. She scowled playfully. Hands on her hips. 

“I can’t make it too easy,” Luke taunted, voice loaded with a dare. He moved first.

His next throw caught her shoulder. Determined not to be outdone, Emilia swiftly retaliated, tossing her snowballs with an aim that impressed him more than it should’ve. His blood ran hotter than usual. Roaring in his ears as his hands itched to grab her.

The crisp air turned even colder and forced a shudder from him. He refused to put an end to her fun. He ducked and wove as she threw more at him.

He avoided most of them. One made it through his halfhearted defenses and left a fine spray of snow coating his bristled cheek. 

He couldn’t determine the length of their battle, but the night had settled in while they weren’t paying attention. Snow gently fell from the dark sky. Tension came alive in the air between them as they circled one another, two out of breath people pretending they were hunters.

Their playful interaction evolved into something more intense. A thing that thrummed under his skin and seemed to draw them closer together. 

Something he long tried to deny and never dreamed she would feel the same. Yet there it was. Glowing like a beacon in her lapis eyes.

He was almost sure of it. Part of him still believed it was a trick of the gloomy light. The bigger part shoved that aside and analysed the situation.

The connection, the want to know her that he had felt for so long… he realized it had grown more tangible while they fought. He stilled, and she slowed her pace as she approached.

She appeared determined. To do what, his mind had plenty ideas. None they could use out in the snow. He barely breathed as she reached out, a gentle smile playing on her lips, and brushed away the snow clinging to his face.

His brain short circuited. No thoughts, only her. All his focus went to the feel of her chilled, damp fingers smoothing over his jaw. His heart galloped like a spooked horse.

His eyes were unable to blink, as if afraid to miss a second of it. Her touch was so gentle he worried he imagined it as she dropped her hand.

The world around him disappeared, narrowing to her vivid gaze focused on him. Time slowed to a drip, and every inch of air between them crawled with tension.

It brushed against him like a curious cat. Even the wind stopped its huffing, as though holding its breath. Their eyes locked. Everything inside him went still. Snowflakes dusted their hair.

The pull he often felt toward her became so potent, it was as if an electric current had sparked between them, drawing them closer. Static energy tickled and lifted the hair on his nape. Her gaze spoke of hope and a desire to be seen.

He was aware of it because the same things reflected in his. He felt he could be himself around her without judgment or expectation. passive-aggressive comments about his broody nature. Luke dearly hoped she knew she could do the same as time ceased to matter.

They leaned in as if pushed together by intangible hands, and neither fought it. They did not notice how close they’d gotten until their breath mingled in the chilled air. His mouth tickled with a prickling warmth as the shivering tension crackled against his skin.

He moved to close the distance, throwing caution to the high winds. His pulse drummed, heat and want building strength. Her eyes fluttered closed.

He bit back a vile curse as Storm barked from inside the house. Both of them jerked toward the noise and jumped apart as if yanked by invisible strings.

His pulse rattled like a small toy in a big box as she let out a little sigh and followed him inside. He hadn’t even noticed his dog had vanished from their snowball fight and now waited before her food bowl. Storm ignored Luke’s glare as he filled it for her.

Awkwardness filled him as he entered the hallway, where she was taking off her boots.

Neither spoke, both stealing peeks at each other and sharing twin smiles. Strange. Good.

New. He didn’t know what to do with himself. The slither and whisper of them taking off their outerwear were the only sounds. His tongue had turned heavy and rusty again. How did he handle this development when he’d already consigned himself to pining for her from afar?

Her reciprocating his attraction had never entered any of the scenarios he often tortured himself with. He liked to be prepared. And he hadn’t prepared for this outcome.

He was on a path he hadn’t known existed and he had very little time to map it out. His muscles had stiffened as he fretted. He was almost relieved when Emilia went into his room to change out of her damp clothes.

She didn’t take long. She returned a few minutes later, looking adorable in oversized fluffy pajamas.

Her thick socks muffled her steps as she flopped down on the couch and broke the weighty quiet.

“I don’t hate the snow so much anymore.”

His lungs loosened and he inhaled deeply as heat sparkled through his nerves and loosened his tense muscles. He met her eye and said, “It’s better when you don’t have to cancel plans for it. I grew up with it. You get used to it.”

“I prefer sunnier places, but winter has its charms for sure,” she winked, and his heart near stopped dead in his chest.

Jesus Christ. She was going to kill him. He was jumpier than a kangaroo on a trampoline. He quickly excused himself to change and left to get a grip on himself. His reflection mocked him as he contemplated getting through another night with her.

Nothing came to him except to endure. Scrutinize her actions and words carefully to check if he was over-analyzing everything to suit his wants.

He had to know whether she’d been caught in a moment outside or if she felt something for him before making any moves.

He leaned toward the former, but hoped for the latter as he finished dressing. And took a cleansing breath before joining her again. Not that he was insecure about his looks or personal qualities.

It was that he had kept his emotions secret for months and had done it successfully. He had no desire to crash and burn before he knew where she stood. Her sassy laugh, as Storm bumped into him on her way to Emilia, only heightened his curiosity.

By night’s end, he had yet to find the right words to ask her directly. He’d sat beside her and Storm on the couch. Their bodies close, thigh pressed to thigh, and he felt as though he’d been struck by tiny bolts of lightning the entire time.

He resorted to tallying the many small touches and smiles she peppered him with.

His entire being was on high alert, nerves buzzing the closer she got. Luke was coming out of his skin as she lay a hand on his knee, pushing herself to her feet. He grit his jaw so tight his teeth creaked.

All it would take was a simple question, he knew that, but he couldn’t make his tongue work. It sat thick and useless in his mouth as she wished him goodnight and left him to his own devices. Sleep eluded him as he battled with his own wishes and his perception of hers.

It did no good. He’d watch her more closely tomorrow and see where it led.

He’d waited this long.

Another day wouldn’t kill him.