Page 63 of Falling Like Snow

“You have no idea,” he mumbles.

O-kay… apparently making the cookies did not go smoothly. As I collect someone’s admission, I make a mental note to buy him a thank-you present.

I’m surveying the barn, evaluating where I’m needed next, when I see Owen’s familiar bright red hair at a table full of hockey guys. He tosses a piece of candy at Rohan, and a grin tugs at my lips as I make my way over.

“Why, hello, gentlemen,” I say.

A couple of the hockey guys tilt their chins up in greeting and go back to their decorating. One of them grabs a handful of gumdrops and puts all of them in his mouth, chewing the town’s money. I bite back a sharp remark and smile as Owen struts over.

“What’s up, Shark?”

“As far as nicknames go, that one’s not bad,” I say.

“It’s accurate,” he says, grinning.

I shrug a shoulder. “What can I say?” I glance between the players. “So… where’s Micah today?”

“Not sure,” Owen says. “He’s not really into these sort of things.”

“What? Fun things?”

“Town things,” Owen says. “He was only at the Jingle and Jam because he heard the band was cool.”

“Gotcha.”

“Sloane!” Mom says, jogging over to me. “This last family that joined barely has any candy to work with. I stored all the extra in the loft. Can you see what’s left in there? Just bring it all.”

“Sure.” I hand her the lockbox full of money and turn back to Owen. “You guys need to stop eating all the candy.”

He salutes me. “Yes, ma’am.”

I head to the steep, narrow set of stairs in the corner of the barn, behind one of the giant trees. When I reach the loft, I spot Asher standing near the window, smiling at his phone.

Interesting.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” I ask, startling him.

His grin disappears as he slides his phone into his jeans pocket. “What are you doing up here?”

I frown. “My mom sent me up here for candy. Who were you talking to?”

He shoves his hands in his hoodie pocket and strides over to me, the scent of him invading all my senses—a combination of soap and subtle spice that is so wholly him but I never thought twice about before the other night, lying next to him in his bed. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he says with a teasing glimmer in his eye.

“So… you’re not going to tell me?” I ask, not at all amused by the secrecy.

His eyes fall to my earring, and he reaches out and taps it, making the dangling bell jingle. “Cute.”

“I won’t be distracted by your compliments, Ash,” I say, lifting my chin.

He sighs. “Why does it matter who I was talking to?”

My brow squishes together as I stand stunned by his response. “Great question. Why does it matter?” He stands silently watching me. “So, is it another one of your secrets, then?” I ask.

He casts his eyes to the floor. “Something like that.”

Of course it is. Which means his secret has to do with a girl, because otherwise why would he be smiling like a boy in love? My heart sinks as the confusing weight of something settles in.

Something bitter. Something that feels an awful lot like jealousy.