Falling Like Leaves (Bramble Falls, #1)(55)

“Okay, heard. You ready, then?” Sloane grabs her jacket and we head out.

The night air has a bite. I stretch my sleeves down over my hands, tucking my fingers into the soft fabric, and I gaze up at the sky. The clouds cleared while we were sleeping, and now every star in the universe feels visible from Saffron Lane tonight, sparkling and blinking like they’re communicating in Morse code. The breathtaking black expanse is a canvas of shimmering lights.

This flawless sky is one thing I’ll miss once I’m back in New York City.

“So, it seemed like you and Cooper had fun today,” Sloane says, giving me a sidelong glance.

“What about it, Sloane?”

“I don’t know. You say you’re just friends, but…”

“But what? I’m moving back to New York soon,” I remind her. “Not to mention, there’s something clearly going on between him and Chloe.”

Sloane scoffs. “Please. If he were into Chloe, I think he would have made a move by now. She’s firmly in the friend zone.”

“Well, so am I. And barely! I just made it out of the acquaintance zone. A few weeks ago, Cooper couldn’t stand to be in the same room as me. I barely know him, or at least who he is now.”

“You’ve spent more time with Cooper this past month than I have in the last two years combined! You know him.” Sloane sighs. “But I will accept your crappy excuses and drop it for tonight.”

“Thank you.”

“But tomorrow is fair game,” she says.

I roll my eyes, elbowing her gently in the side, and she laughs.

When we reach downtown, my mouth gapes. In just a few hours, the volunteers have transformed the square into a wonderland. The gazebo is wrapped in fairy lights, and a song from Folklore pours from giant speakers inside. Strings of globe lights drape from tree to tree. A giant bonfire is already ablaze, with log benches and folding chairs placed around it. Lanterns hang from posts in the ground, illuminating a path to where tables of food and drinks are set up, and hollowed-out pumpkins filled with candles are scattered throughout the leaf-covered lawn, adding to the fall vibe.

The Boots and Blankets Bonfire is absolutely enchanting.

After meeting Asher by the tables of food and grabbing cups of hot mulled cider, the three of us make our way to the bonfire. We squish together on a log bench, and I sip my drink while Sloane talks about the upcoming school play.

I’m completely zoned out when, across the fire, Cooper walks over with Slug and some guys from our calculus class, his mussed hair, black hoodie, and gray sweatpants glowing orange in the firelight. He throws his head back, laughing at a joke his friend tells, and I can’t tear my eyes away from him.

Cooper puts his hood up and stares into the fire, flames dancing in his eyes behind the black-framed glasses that drive me wild. He grins, and I study the curve of his upper lip and the way his one canine slightly overlaps the tooth next to it. I notice the scar on his left eyebrow, and I take in the way his dimple creates a crater when he bites his bottom lip.

Admiring Cooper Barnett might be my favorite Bramble Falls activity.

As if he can sense me watching him, Cooper’s gaze meets mine. The fire crackles and pops between us, turning wood to ash, and all I can think is, Maybe he did lean in. . . .

“What do you think?” Sloane says to my right. I drag my eyes from Cooper and settle them on my cousin.

“Sorry. About what?”

“We’re going to walk around and see who’s here. You want to come?” she repeats.

“No, that’s okay. It’s freezing out here. I’m going to stay by the fire for a while.”

Asher and Sloane slink off toward the gazebo, leaving me alone on the bench.

I sneak a glance across the fire, but Cooper is gone.

Friction warms my hands as I rub them together, and my breath creates a puff of white in the cold air. A song from Fearless comes on, and a bunch of girls cheer.

It seems a Swiftie was in charge of the playlist—another thing Bramble Falls got right tonight.

I’m humming along when someone plops down next to me.

“Hey, partner,” Cooper says, setting a plate of treats on the bench to his left. He pulls my scarf from his front hoodie pocket. “You left this here earlier.” He shifts his body so he’s facing me and gingerly wraps it around my neck. My breath catches as his fingers graze my collarbone.

“Thanks,” I breathe, meeting his amber eyes. I swallow and look away. Pull yourself together, Ellis. “You’ve just been carrying it around all day?”

He shrugs and faces the fire again. “Figured I’d see you at some point. We always seem to be in the same place.” He grabs the plate next to him. “I also brought you treats.”

“Oh, thanks.” I take the plate, intensely aware of Cooper’s thigh and shoulder pressed to mine, despite him having plenty of space on the other end of the bench.

“So, what do you think of all this?” he asks, gesturing widely around us.

“It’s beautiful. And atmospheric… but also freezing.”

“I know, right?” He leans into me ever so slightly, warming my side with his radiating body heat. When his pinkie accidentally brushes mine, every one of my nerve endings buzzes. “I can’t believe I forgot my blanket.”

A soft breeze rustles the trees and feeds the fire. I try to tuck my head into my scarf.