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She could have worried about all the eyes that were on her — on them — and what people were thinking about her, how they were judging her for taking up with the man who’d done so much damage to the village, herself and her mum. She could have worried about the phones and cameras she knew were pointed at them, and all the images of Maverick — and herself — that would doubtlessly be hitting the web soon, and the comments they would no doubt produce, and whether or not she was heading for another awkward conversation with her mum.

But, instead, she stepped closer, letting herself melt into his warmth, ignoring everything apart from the fairy lights sparkling around them, and the sensation of being wrapped up in his arms as he guided them carefully and gently around the dance floor.

* * *

‘You’re sure you’re warm enough?’ Ryan held her hand tightly, not wanting her to slip on the icy paths. The gritters had been through, but it was still cold and frosty underfoot. And incredibly beautiful. Everything seemed to shimmer and sparkle around them, like the village had been dusted with glitter and Christmas magic.

‘I’m fine.’ Angela smiled up at him. ‘Really. And it’s been a lovely evening.’

‘Yeah.’ The words weren’t even close to describing how good of an evening it had been. He was stone-cold sober, heading home before midnight, which was when he’d usually just be getting started on other nights out as Maverick — but he couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so happy and content. And it was that last word that made all the difference to him. Of course he’d been happy before, and felt pride at his achievements, and he’d been excited, and high, and drunk . . . but there was always that undercurrent of restlessness too — the pressure and expectation of what he’d do next, the next reels, the next ambition, the next project, the next sponsorship deal to drive his brand even higher.

But right in that moment — and he realised a lot of the moments he’d spent in Broclington — he felt content as well, and happy with who he actually was, which was bit of a new idea to him, actually being happy exactly as he was.

Angela nudged him out of his thoughts when she tugged him towards the village centre instead of the street that would take them back to Bill’s. ‘The wishing tree will be lit up,’ she explained. ‘And it’s really pretty. Unless you’re too tired and wanting to head home?’

‘No, I’m fine.’ He lifted her fingers up to kiss them through her gloves, which made her smile at him in the way that made him feel better than his latest reel going viral. The word “home” bothered him a bit though, because for him that really meant his flat miles away from the sweet little village. And as much as he loved his sleek, expensive flat, he couldn’t help feeling a bit . . . less than excited . . . at the thought of going back there. Which was another weird idea for him.

He stopped in front of the huge Christmas tree that twinkled with lights and decorations. ‘Wow.’ It was at least thirty feet tall and sparkled with fairy lights that reflected off shiny baubles in every colour imaginable. In the darkness, it glowed softly and looked almost ethereal. If he’d still been a child, it definitely would have made him believe in magic. He looked at Angela, staring at the tree, spellbound. The lights kissed her skin and caught in the sparkly things in her hair, making her look like part of the magic. He couldn’t resist whipping out his phone and taking a couple quick snaps of her.

‘Hey,’ she complained. ‘If you’re going to do that, you should be in it too.’

‘OK.’ He looked around, and spotted a post-box nearby. That would do. It was the work of a few seconds to switch the camera lens round and turn the case into a mini stand. He raced back to her, beating the camera timer with just enough spare seconds to gather her against him and grin down at her, as his phone started its flurry of shots.

‘Come here.’ She reached up to kiss him, her breath and lips so hot that she melted all thoughts from his brain. How she did that so easily and so often he still didn’t know, but he loved it. Just like he loved how easily and comfortably she fit against him — like she was meant to be there. And he wasn’t sure he wanted to let her go, even when she drew away. ‘Pretty magical, huh?’

‘Yeah. It’s pretty much perfect. I’m amazed there’s no one else here.’

‘Well, it is kind of late. And getting cold.’ Angela smiled. ‘But I think it’s worth a little cold for moments like this.’

‘I couldn’t agree more.’ He took a deep breath, knowing he probably wouldn’t get another opportunity this good for a long time. ‘Angela, that talk we agreed we should probably have?’

‘Yes?’

‘I think it’s probably “later” now, don’t you?’ He stroked her cheek, knowing it would be smooth and soft even through his glove. She nodded, not breaking eye contact with him. ‘Angela, I really, really like you. The last few weeks here, with you, have been nothing like I expected. They’ve been amazing, and I really don’t want it to end when my court-ordered time is up, because I really, really like being at Bill’s, and I really, really like being with you. But it’s more than that. I like who I am when I’m around you, and the animals. I think you bring out the best version of me I’ve ever been, not because I feel like you’re trying to change me or anything bad like that, but because you’re just so amazing in so many ways that I want to do — and be — better for you.’

‘Ryan, I’m really not that special.’

‘You really are, Angel. You’re incredible and kind, and sweet, and beautiful and stubborn and driven and passionate — and possibly the only thing bigger about you than your hair—’ he teased one of her escaping curls ‘—is your temper when you think someone is hurting an animal . . .’

‘Well, they need people to stick up for them.’

‘And your heart. And it’s all those reasons, and dozens more, like the way you fit so well against me and how adorable you are when you’re getting irritated with another stupid thing I’ve said or done and trying not to show it, and that you have no fear in telling me exactly what you think of me, but almost endless patience when I’m being an idiot — which I’m aware is a lot of the time. All of those things, Angel, are just some of the reasons I think I’m falling for you.’

‘Falling for me?’

‘Yup.’ He took another deep breath and put it all on the line, knowing nothing less than honesty would work. ‘Head over heels, completely and totally. And I’m not telling you this because I expect you to feel the same or—’

‘I do.’

Her words filled him with awe and joy — and disbelief. How could Angela — so amazing in so many ways — feel the same. ‘You do?’

‘Really, I do.’ She did that thing that he loved so much, stretching up to kiss him, bracing herself against his shoulder to keep her balance. He really hoped she’d keep doing it when her leg was fully better, because he was planning and hoping with everything in his being to still have her as a part of his life then. ‘It’s crazy, this whole thing is utterly insane . . . the speed with which everything has happened, how we met, who you are . . . but, Ryan, I’m falling for you too.’

He smoothed her hair away from her face, cradling her cheeks between his hands to kiss her again, completely and totally losing himself in her. He had no idea how long they stood there, wrapped up in each other, sharing a moment so sweet, so filled with hope, that it was almost unbearable — almost, because Angela soothed everything.

* * *

Slowly and reluctantly she pulled away, shivering as her breath puffed into the air, mingling with his, but she didn’t know whether it was the cold making her quake or the intensity of Ryan’s kiss.