Chapter 1

Mason, the boy I’d grown up with, had always watched every penny.

Even when we went to Dunkin’ for coffee, he made me pay him back for mine.

Our parents always teased him about it, saying he was saving up for my engagement ring.

I thought so, too.

Until I came across his female best friend’s Instagram.

“This idiot lost another bet to me. Guess I’ll take those limited-edition sneakers off his hands.”

“Who gives someone a MacBook for their birthday? This guy really has no idea how to be romantic…”

My birthday present, meanwhile, had been a necklace he’d bought online for $9.99, with free shipping.

At our families’ Christmas dinner, someone teased Mason again. “You’ve been saving up for Chloe’s engagement ring for years. Got enough yet?”

My mom beamed. “No need to keep saving! Chloe’s boyfriend is coming over tomorrow!”

Mason’s face darkened. “What boyfriend? How come I didn’t know about this?”

…

“Baby, just a little longer.”

Everett Hayes had his arm around my waist, his voice low and husky.

“We’ve been kissing forever,” I protested softly.

He kissed me again. “You’re going home for Christmas, and I won’t get to see you. Let me kiss you a little longer.”

He was usually so reserved and self-controlled, but when we were alone, his intensity left me helpless. His kisses had me blushing all the way to my ears when my phone suddenly rang.

I glanced at the screen. Mason Reed, my childhood friend.

Everett took his time straightening the hem of my shirt. “Go ahead.”

I stepped onto the balcony and answered. Mason spoke immediately.

“Chloe Bennett, seriously? So if I don’t call you, you just forget I exist? Still giving me the silent treatment?”

His tone was accusatory.

I frowned. “Did you need something?”

“What do you mean, did I need something? I call you out of the kindness of my heart, and this is what I get? Christmas break’s almost here. My uncle’s driving to Boston to pick me up, and your mom said the train you wanted to take was sold out. Want a free ride or not?”

A woman’s voice came through the phone. “Mason, is that really how you try to win a girl over? As your dating coach, I’m about ready to take over for you.”

Her again.

Riley Brooks, Mason’s female best friend—and the reason he and I had fallen out months ago.

“Stay out of it,” Mason told her. “I don’t need you coaching me.”

I looked through the glass door.

Everett was sitting by the coffee bar, his long fingers curled around the handle of a cup. Steam drifted past his face.

“Hello? Chloe, are you still there?”

“I don’t need a ride from you. Someone’s taking me home.”

I didn’t want to explain any further. He would only start asking endless questions and waste my time.

“Who’s nice enough to drive you all the way to Maine? Don’t tell me you mean the train engineer.”

Mason laughed at his own joke.

“My boyfr—”

“Stop being stubborn,” he interrupted. “You don’t get a free ride every day. Come home with me first. You can go back to giving me the cold shoulder afterward, okay? East campus parking lot, day after tomorrow. Gotta go.”

He hung up before I could agree to anything.

Back inside, Everett handed me a cup of honey lemon tea. “All done?” he asked calmly.

“Mm-hmm.” I took a sip. The warm sweetness spread over my tongue, easing some of my irritation.

“Was that the childhood friend you told me about?”

I’d mentioned Mason to Everett. Our families were close, and our parents often joked about us getting married. In high school, Mason had even told me, quite seriously, that he would propose after graduation.

I pressed my lips together. “Yes. That was him.”

Everett caught my wrist and gave it a gentle tug. Before I knew it, I was sitting in his lap.

“Five minutes on the phone. What took so long?”

I played with his fingers. “He wanted me to ride home with him in his uncle’s car.”

His brow tightened, and I quickly added, “But don’t worry. I told him no.”

Only then did a faint smile appear on his lips.

“Good girl. Why would you need a ride from him when you have me?”

I kissed his lips. “Your reward.”

“Could I have a little more?”

He held my waist and shifted me so I was straddling his lap. His warm breath brushed my skin, and the pressure I felt beneath me made me melt against him, my breathing turning uneven.