Tastes Like Sugar (Collier’s Creek Christmas)

Bonus Scene Christmas Bash

SULLY

Hayes squeezes my hand. “So, officially the best Christmas ever?”

I smirk. “It’s not quite Christmas yet,” I tease.

“How can you say that with the number of elves we’ve counted so far?”

He’s not lying. We’ve made a game out of it—forget Elf on the Shelf, counting how many elves it would take to overrun Collier’s Creek is much more fun.

“True.” I lean into him, appreciating the constant warmth that seems to radiate from Hayes. There’s been plenty of snow lately, but the past few days have blessed us with nothing but clear skies and crunchy snow underfoot. Still, the cold nips at my cheeks.

Hayes grins at me, his eyes twinkling like the Christmas lights wrapped around the town square. “Now, how’s that for timing?” He nods upward, and I follow his gaze.

Dangling from the archway above us is a sprig of mistletoe, perfectly placed.

I raise an eyebrow. “Did you arrange this?”

His grin widens. “I wish I could take credit for it, but I think it’s just fate.”

Before I can respond, the soft sound of sleigh bells rings out, followed by the first notes of “Silent Night” drifting from the band in the gazebo. The harmonies fill the air, wrapping around us like the warmth of a fireplace, perfect for the moment.

Hayes pulls me a little closer, his smile softening as he leans down to kiss me, slow and sweet, right under the mistletoe. My heart flutters, and when we pull back, he keeps his forehead pressed against mine, his breath warm in the crisp air.

“I love you,” he whispers, the words quiet, but so full of meaning they stop me in my tracks.

I blink, my heart skipping a beat. This is it—we’ve never said these words to each other before, and hearing them now, hell if he hasn’t timed it perfectly. I let out a shaky breath and smile up at him.

“I love you too,” I whisper back, the words feeling as natural as the snowfall we’ve been waiting on.

Hayes’s eyes light up, and for a moment, the world narrows down to just the two of us. The sounds of laughter, music, and Christmas cheer fade into the background as we stand there, still and wrapped up in the magic of the moment.

He kisses me again, this time more playful, a soft brush of his lips against mine before pulling back with a grin. “Now it’s definitely the best Christmas ever.”

I laugh, feeling light and giddy, the kind of happiness that lingers in the air at Christmas. “Okay, you win,” I say, resting my head on his chest. “It really is.”

We sway gently to the music, surrounded by twinkling lights and the hum of holiday joy. The band plays on, and when All I Want for Christmas Is You starts up, the crowd around us bursts into cheers, some even singing along.

Hayes looks down at me, his eyes shining with warmth. “Think we can find some cookies now?” he asks with a wink, his hand still tightly wrapped around mine.

I laugh, shaking my head but already smiling. “Fine, cookie lover. Let’s go.”

And as we walk through the town square, the sound of Christmas carols filling the air, Hayes’s hand in mine, my heart expands, fit to burst. This is everything I’ve ever wanted—him, the magic of the season, and a love that feels as bright as the twinkling lights around us.