Unwrapped (Sugar & Spice #1)

7. Ivy

Chapter 7

Ivy

“ T hanks for inviting me to join you for your first time.” My eyes squeeze shut for a second. Shit. “I mean your first time at the Christmas market,” I quickly correct and he doesn’t even attempt to hide his laugh. The tension that’s been evident since we reconnected growing thick.

The wind is brisk as we step into the bustling holiday market, our breaths forming little clouds in the chilly air. Snowflakes swirl around us, dusting the rows of market stalls with a soft layer of white. The air is filled with the cozy, inviting scents of roasted chestnuts, spiced cider, and freshly baked gingerbread. Lights twinkle on every garland-draped stall, casting a warm glow over the bustling crowds. Asher walks beside me, his hands tucked into the pockets of his coat, a wool scarf wrapped around his neck. He looks like the kind of guy you’d see in one of those Hallmark movies Tessa loves.

“This is amazing,” he says, glancing around with a boyish grin that makes my chest feel strangely light. He gestures toward the festive scene with a tilt of his head. “I’ve lived in Chicago my entire life, but I’ve never done this. Thanks for coming with me.”

I smile, catching a snowflake on my glove and brushing it away. “I can’t believe you’ve never been to the Christmas market. It’s one of the best parts of the season. It’s practically a Chicago institution.”

He gives a sheepish shrug, the grin never leaving his face. “Guess I’ve been too busy playing the part of the serious CEO. I don’t usually take the time for this kind of thing.”

“Well, you’ve been missing out,” I say, giving him a teasing nudge with my shoulder. “Maybe this is your chance to catch up.”

His gaze lingers on me for a beat longer than I expect, something warm and unguarded in his eyes. “Maybe it is.”

We wander deeper into the market, sipping hot chocolate from steaming mugs that warm our hands. The sweetness mingles with the coolness of the air, and I find myself relaxing more with every step. We pass by stalls selling handmade ornaments, knitted scarves, and brightly painted nutcrackers. A vendor calls out, offering samples of warm cider, and Asher accepts a cup, his smile widening as he takes a sip.

“This is actually really good,” he says, holding up the cup in a mock toast. “You weren’t kidding about the market. I’m starting to feel like I’ve been doing Christmas all wrong.”

I laugh, the sound mingling with the festive music playing from a nearby stall. “You probably have. But I’m here to help you fix that. And it starts with this—” I point to a stall overflowing with handmade ornaments and snow globes, each one glistening under the fairy lights. “You can’t visit the Christmas market without picking out an ornament.”

Asher raises an eyebrow, following my gaze to the display. “Is that a rule?”

“It’s practically law,” I say, trying to keep a straight face. “And trust me, you do not want to be on Santa’s naughty list for breaking it.”

“Hmm—I dunno, the naughty list can be pretty fun.” He inches a centimeter closer, his eyes dropping down to my lips.

“Are you trying to be a bad influence on me, Asher?” I raise my eyebrow. “I thought you were the good boy out of the two Mercers.”

He chuckles, shaking his head as he steps up to the stall and picks up a small wooden snowflake, turning it over in his hands. The intricate carvings catch the light, casting delicate shadows. He holds it out toward me, a playful smile tugging at his lips. “What do you think? Does this meet your high standards for holiday cheer?”

I reach out, brushing my fingers against the smooth wood. “It’s beautiful,” I say honestly, glancing up at him. “You have good taste.”

He looks back at me, something almost teasing in his expression. “Was that a compliment? From Ivy Calloway?”

I roll my eyes, but I can’t stop the smile spreading across my face. “Don’t get used to it.”

He laughs, slipping the ornament back onto the display with a deliberate slowness, as if savoring the moment. “I’ll try not to let it go to my head.”

We continue walking through the market, moving from stall to stall, the snow falling gently around us. The lights shimmer on the fresh snowflakes that land on Asher’s hair, and I feel a strange sense of calm settle over me—like maybe, for once, I don’t have to think so hard about every word I say or every glance I steal.

Asher stops at a stall selling hand-carved wooden toys, his gaze lingering on a miniature sleigh. “You know, Zane and I used to have a sleigh like this when we were kids. We’d race it down the hill behind our house until we nearly broke our necks.”

I laugh at the mental image. “I remember that hill. It was practically a death trap when it iced over.”

He grins, leaning a little closer as if sharing a secret. “Yeah, well, we thought we were invincible back then. Zane crashed the sleigh into a tree once and split the thing in half. My dad was furious, but we just thought it made us look cooler.”

I shake my head, smiling. “That sounds like you. Always pushing the limits, even when it made absolutely no sense.”

He shrugs, a self-deprecating smile tugging at his lips. “What can I say? Guess I haven’t changed much.”

I glance at him, and for a moment, I see past the confident exterior he wears so well—past the smile, the charm, the easy way he commands a room. There’s something softer there, something he doesn’t show many people, and it makes me want to know more. I tilt my head, giving him a playful look. “Well, I’d like to think you’ve matured a little since then. At least enough to know not to challenge a tree to a duel.”

Asher laughs, and the sound is warm and genuine, like a crackling fire on a cold night. “I promise, no more tree duels. I’ve learned my lesson.”

We move on to another stall, this one selling delicate glass ornaments. Asher picks up a tiny snow globe with a miniature Christmas village inside, the little houses dusted with fake snow. He gives it a gentle shake, watching the snow swirl around the scene inside.

“You know,” he says, turning the snow globe in his hands, “I never really understood the appeal of these things when I was younger. But now… there’s something kind of magical about them. Like a whole world in your hands.”

I smile softly, feeling a little pang of nostalgia. “I used to collect them. When I was a kid, I had a whole shelf full of snow globes from every place my family traveled. I liked the idea that I could capture a little piece of a place and keep it with me.”

He looks at me, something curious in his expression. “Do you still have them?”

I shake my head, a little wistful. “I lost most of them when my parents moved to a different neighborhood a few years ago. But I’ve started a new collection. One snow globe every year, from somewhere special.”

His eyes brighten, and he holds the snow globe out toward me. “Then I think you should add this one to your collection. A souvenir from tonight.”

I take the snow globe from him, feeling a warm flutter in my chest. “Are you sure? It’s your first time here—you should keep it.”

He shakes his head, his smile turning gentle. “It’s a memory I’d rather share with you.” He holds his card out to the woman behind the stall, purchasing the globe.

For a second, I’m speechless, caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice. I look down at the snow globe in my hands, at the little village inside, and then back up at him. “Thank you, Asher. Really.”

He shrugs, trying to play it off, but I can see the faint pink tinge on his cheeks, and it makes something inside me soften. “It’s just a snow globe, Ivy. No big deal.”

“Maybe not to you,” I reply, a smile tugging at my lips, “but to me, it’s kind of perfect.”

He holds my gaze for a beat longer, then glances away, clearing his throat. “So, what’s next on the holiday tour? Should we find some roasted chestnuts or try out that skating rink over there?” He points to a rink just beyond the market stalls, where couples and families glide across the ice under the glow of fairy lights.

I follow his gaze, feeling a flicker of excitement. “Only if you’re ready to risk bruising your pride. I’m pretty good on skates, you know.”

He gives me a mock-serious look, raising an eyebrow. “Is that a challenge?”

“Absolutely,” I reply, stepping closer to him, our shoulders nearly brushing. “Unless you’re afraid of being shown up. Maybe there’s something you’re not amazing at?—”

He leans in, lowering his voice as a playful grin spreads across his face. “Ivy Calloway, you have a little snark to you, you know that? I think you’re starting to enjoy this—challenging me.”

I tilt my head, meeting his gaze without flinching. “Maybe I am.”

The words slip out before I can second-guess them, and for a moment, the world seems to pause. His smile softens, turning almost contemplative, and the look in his eyes makes my heart race. He opens his mouth, like he’s about to say something more, but then a gust of wind sends a swirl of snowflakes dancing around us, and the spell is broken.

“Well, come on then,” he says, holding out a hand with an exaggerated flourish, “show me what you’ve got.”

I hesitate for only a second before slipping my gloved hand into his, letting him lead me toward the skating rink. The contact is brief, but it leaves my skin tingling, my mind buzzing with the possibilities of what might come next.

We lace up our skates, the cold biting at our noses and cheeks, but I hardly feel it. I’m too focused on the way Asher’s smile keeps slipping into something softer when he looks at me, like he’s seeing me in a new light. As we step onto the ice, he wobbles a bit, catching himself with a laugh that echoes through the night air.

“Don’t worry, I won’t let you fall,” I tease, skating a circle around him with ease.

He narrows his eyes at me, a playful challenge in his expression. “Is that so? We’ll see about that.”

I laugh, pushing off to glide across the ice, and he follows, a little unsteady but determined. For a while, we just skate, weaving in and out of the other skaters, the lights above us casting shadows that stretch and shimmer on the ice. He picks up speed, closing the distance between us, and I can’t help the rush of exhilaration that courses through me.

Asher catches up to me, his breath visible in the cold air, and he reaches out, gently tugging on the end of my scarf. “You’re a show-off, you know that?”

I grin, turning to skate backward so I can face him. “Hey, I told you I was good. You should’ve believed me.”

He laughs, a sound that sends warmth blooming in my chest. “Okay, okay, I believe you. But I think you owe me a little mercy.”

I slow down, letting him catch his breath, and he comes to a stop beside me, still gripping the end of my scarf. For a moment, we just stand there, our breaths mingling in the frosty air, the lights casting a golden halo around us.

“I’m really glad we did this, Ivy,” he says quietly, his voice carrying a hint of something deeper. “I feel like… I’m seeing a whole new side of you tonight.”

I swallow, feeling a lump rise in my throat. It’s terrifying, being this close to someone, letting them see the parts of you you’ve kept hidden for so long. But when I look into Asher’s eyes, I see something genuine there, something that makes me want to take the risk.

“Maybe you are,” I say softly, my voice barely more than a whisper, “but I’m still the same girl who likes mystery novels and dragons.”

He smiles, stepping closer, his hand brushing mine. “And I like that girl. A lot.”

My breath catches, and for a moment, I think he might kiss me. But instead, he just holds my gaze, his thumb tracing a slow circle over the back of my hand. And even though the distance between us is maddening, I realize that maybe, for tonight, this is enough.