Seven years ago, Allie and Levi were two star-crossed teenagers who fell headfirst into love and ran off to exchange vows in a fit of passion, only to have their dreams implode before the sun set on their wedding day. Now, as fate would have it, they find themselves trapped together for a friend’s destination Christmas wedding in Colorado. Allie is determined to escape the memories, get through the week, and never see him again.

Because of a storm they find themselves alone at the vacation house with the unresolved tension shining through like a diamond. As the snow falls outside, they strike a deal—an unorthodox “closure plan” to finally put their past to rest. Bound by the twenty-four-hour understanding that they will spend one day together and then say goodbye forever.

With the glow of holiday lights surrounding them, Levi’s made it his mission to win back the one he let slip away.

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Coming Soon To: Apple

Release Date: October 20, 2025
Genre: Contemporary / Holiday / Second Chance Romance

A Pink Satin Romance

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Excerpt

Chapter 1: Allie

“It’s a blizzard, Allie. You’re lucky your plane made it there today. It’s just mother nature.” Lexi let out an annoyed huff.

“Well, mother nature is clearly a psycho bitch with multiple personalities.” I white knuckled the rental car steering wheel as I curved through the snowy Colorado mountains.”

“Just get to the Vrbo and relax. The photos looked stunning.”

“Yeah, but a woman alone in the middle of nowhere by herself? I think I’ve seen this movie and it does not end well.” I groaned.

“Well, some of the crew might have made it before the storm. Maybe you won’t be alone.”

“Why in the hell is our friend the one person who thinks a winter wedding is a good idea?”

Lexi laughed. “You watch it. Emily is in a delicate mental place right now with the entire Midwest on a snow lock down a few days before her wedding.”

That’s when I heard her voice in the background. Yes, Emily’s an emotional fruit loop on a good day, so the last thing I needed was a discussion with her. “Lexi, I’ll let you go.”

“Is that Allie?” Oh shit.

Before I knew it Lexi was replaced by Bridezilla.

“Allie, you made it to Colorado? I hadn’t realized your plane left so early.” Her voice had an eerie desperation to it I did not care for.

“Yes, I left at six this morning and landed before noon. But I really need to go, these mountain roads are slick—”

“You have got to go to the church first thing tomorrow. There are two fake Christmas trees I had shipped there. They set them in a storage room. You need to put them up, one on each side of the altar, exactly fifteen feet from one another. There’re also boxes of ornaments and lights. You have to do this. The church must look like a magical Christmas vision. By the time I arrive I’ll only have a day or two before the wedding, and I’m freaking out a little.”

“Didn’t I tell you last summer this was the worst idea ever?”

I think I heard an artery blow, and I giggled as she clearly spoke through gritted teeth. “I’m going to kill you if you don’t shut your mouth.”

“Be careful, I’m the only one here to set up your stupid magical Christmas trees. Maybe I’ll just find a bar and not do any wedding stuff. You know tequila and I are close.”

She let out a long breath. “I’m sorry for snapping. I would owe you big if you just make sure the Church is decorated and beautiful. You know it’s been my dream since college.”

“I know, Emily. I promise you’ll have the glorious holiday wedding of your dreams.”

I took a curve and my stomach plunged as the tires slid.

“I’ve got to focus on driving. Text me when the blizzard blows over.”

“Got it, love you, Allie.”

“Right back at ya.” I disconnected the call.

I slowed to fifteen miles an hour and had some control of my vehicle. It appeared I was the only dumbass zipping around the mountains. Maps said I was only seven miles away from the house. I could do this.

It was then I realized the Vrbo would have an empty kitchen. I had counted on anyone but me arriving first and filling the fridge with yummy food. Was there a Taco Bell anywhere close? Two hard shells and a Pepsi?

My stomach clenched as the tires slid left. I stood on the brake but the car didn’t slow down. At all. I saw the edge of the road and the drop ahead of me. Oh mother trucker, it was happening.

I gripped the steering wheel as my stomach did a free fall when the hood of the car went over. Deep crunching sounds in combination with grinding while a scream escaped me at the same time cracking filled the air. Shards of glass slid across my face with instant stinging as cold air whooshed through the broken window.

My head hit the steering wheel as my seatbelt locked and dug into my hips. Airbags punched the side of my head and my face, and there was instant ringing in my ears from the force. As the car rolled on and I saw an upside down tree and wondered what the fuck I ever did to Karma.

As the car rolled again, the red can of Coke I’d bought at the airport for later zipped past me, slammed into the front window, and then my forehead. Clearly the word of the day was fuck.

Abruptly the car stopped when it slammed into a tree and the seatbelt dug deeper into me. I took some breaths as I hung upside down attempting to get oxygen back into my lungs. My body shook uncontrollably, as warm blood ran down my face, well up my face since I was bottom up. I grimaced at the sting when my hand touched a cut on my forehead, and I pressed my glove against it attempting to stop the bleeding.

The past and present swirled together, and I couldn’t control my tears. My heart pounded a violent beat as I reminded myself that this accident wasn’t like the last; I was conscious. I could move my legs. I could get out of this.

But as hard as I tried I couldn’t get out of this; my seatbelt was jammed. To top it off my cell phone was in my purse which wasn’t visible anyway. I stretched my neck and couldn’t even see the road I used to be on. Did anyone see me fly over the cliff? Was anyone coming for me?

Panic swirled up my back as my eyes bulged. Memories of weeks in the hospital that I’d blocked out ran through my mind like the one hundred meter dash. This isn’t the same.

I was too young to die, I’d always figured by the time I kicked the bucket my winning column would outweigh my losing column, but that didn’t appear to be the case. As I looked back at the success and failures, I couldn’t help but to be proud that at least the potty training thing had stuck.

If I survived this I was going to join the cicadas this summer and just scream for six weeks straight.

“Hey!”

“Help!” Gratitude pumped into my bloodstream; someone was coming. Now I was happy and scared crying at the same time. I looked at my glove to find it saturated with blood, so I switched hands. I decided if I didn’t die today I would have to kill Emily for planning a winter wedding in Colorado.

“Are you okay? I’m trying to get the door open.” The man’s voice filled my fucked up rental car. I looked through the passenger window that was now missing the glass to see a black coat outside. Crap, I probably should’ve opted for that extra insurance they babbled on about at the rental place. My bad.

“I think I’m okay.” My voice was shaky and unfamiliar and as hard as I tried, the hot water wouldn’t stop coming from my eyes. “Thank you for helping me.”

“Fuck, the door is jammed.” The man’s voice was deep. “Sorry for the language.” I could see him tugging on the door.

A nervous laugh popped out. “They say smart people swear more than stupid mother fuckers.”

“That’s funny.”

“Yeah, I’m a hoot in life threating situations.”

“I don’t know if I can get this door open enough.”

My teeth started chattering. “You can do it. Do crackheads say I can’t get high today because I’m broke? No, they make it happen. Don’t let a crackhead hustle harder than you.”

A deep laugh filled the car. “Look at this. Chick hanging upside down is the new Tony Robbins over there.”

After a minute more he pulled the door open and leaned inside. “Oh shit, you’re bleeding pretty bad.”

He crawled into the car and that was when I died.

“Allie?”

Even upside down with blood everywhere, his eyes cut me more than any glass ever could.

“Levi? Are you kidding me right now?” I could feel my heart beating in my neck. “Have I died and gone to fucking hell?”

“I—”

“You son of a bitch.” I hissed. “Get away from me!”

“Allie, I need to get you out of here.”

“I’d rather bleed out in this car than be anywhere near you!

“Langley, we need to get you down.”

“So you ended up in Colorado? I knew I’d hate the 38th state in the Union!”

He crawled further into the car and every muscle in my body jumped when we were upside down face to face.

“Of course your brain would know that fact.”

“Do not talk about my brain!” I slapped his hand away.

“Langley, calm your ass down.”

“Don’t tell me to calm down. You shut up and get the hell out of here!” He took something from his pocket and pressed it against my cut.

“Apply pressure, and I’ll get you down.”

“I’d rather freeze to death.”

His hand against my stomach as he started working on the seatbelt caused fire to shoot through my body, and I closed my eyes. How could he be here? Every cell in me rolled into the fetal position.

“I think I’ve got it.”

I looked up at him remembering so many times we’d been in a car together. Hands everywhere, windows fogged, and an energy weaving between us that tested my sanity.

The seatbelt clicked open and he grabbed me before I dropped down on my head.

He set me down as the blood rushed away from my brain leaving me dizzy.

“Just sit for a minute.”

I looked into the face that was so ruggedly handsome it was unfair to all other men in the world.

“I’ll always hate you, Levi.”

He nodded. “I know.”

He got out of the car and extended his hand, and I pushed it away like an ornery child because I despise him to the depths of my soul. I crawled out of the car and stood up in the snow, but immediately fell down.

“Just let me help you.”

I got to my feet and looked at the ground. I was messed up already, but being close to him made me wonky to the core. It was too much and a few tears escaped.

“Allie, please don’t cry.”

All I could do was shake my head. I suddenly didn’t know if I was crying because of the car accident or seeing his face. Bringing it all back like a scab being ripped off of a wound.

“It’s steep and snowy, please let me just get your out of here, okay?”

“I don’t want your help.”

“I know.” He pulled off one of his gloves and used it to wipe some blood from my face. “But you’re getting it anyway. I’m going to bend down and you’re going to get on my back, and I’ll get you up to the road.” He flashed me a grin that had my stitched up heart shaking her fist at me. “Then you can hate me again, okay?”

I looked at the snowy hill before me. “I’ll do it myself.”

“No,” his deep voice rumbled. “You hold my glove against your cut, there’s a lot of blood.” He reached in the car and grabbed my purse.

“Levi—”

“Langley.” He turned around. “Get on my back now.”

I grumbled as I held onto his shoulder with one hand and jumped. He caught my legs, and they went around his waist.

My body was on his body. The thought sent more spots in front of my eyes. While my head was throbbing, my mind went back. Our bodies intertwined in an empty train car tasting the tequila on his lips.

I shook my head and focused on right now.

Right now I had my arms wrapped around the tall and strong Levi who’d haunted me for years.

“You okay back there?”

I looked at his profile, my tummy twisted, and I couldn’t say a word. Once on the road I immediately squirmed off his back and onto my feet. But I found out my feet weren’t ready yet, and I fell to the snowy ground yet again.

I was lifted up and in his arms and my body was rested against his chest. I hated it.

I wished I hated it. I was unable to utter a syllable as he carried me to an SUV and opened the passenger door.

“There’s probably a hospital in the next town.”

“Just call me an Uber. I don’t want to go anywhere with you.”

He put me in the passenger seat and his eyes on me put fire in my face. “We have to get you looked at and then I’ll drive you home.” He shifted his weight. “Do you live here?”

My eyes rolled. “No. I’m here for a stupid wedding of a friend.”

He nodded. “Is that so?”

“Duh. Why would I say it if that wasn’t so? You’re stupid, Levi.”

“Wow.”

I leaned my head against the seat. “My head hurts.”

He shut the door and got behind the wheel. “Close your eyes and rest.”

“Don’t tell me what to do.” I pulled my hood up. “Let’s play the silent game.”

He started the car. “I’m visiting Colorado also.”

“Clearly the universe hates me and you have no concept of the quiet game.”

“Well, aren’t you just a little ray of dark black. Do you want me to climb down and get your suitcase? Or are you planning to wear bloody sweats for a wedding?”

Even one look from those green eyes could still turn me to Jello. I was in the same place as him. I was in the same place as him.

“Should I take your silence as a yes please, Levi?”

I shrugged. “I guess.”

“Do you have the rental company papers in the car? You’ll need those.”

“Of course I do, do you think I’m an idiot?”

“Would you like me to grab those as well, or are you going back down the cliff?” I hated the way he drummed his fingertips on the steering wheel.

“Fine.”

“I’m sure you mean yes, please.”

I looked over to see a smug grin. “What I mean to say is go to hell. Like tonight would be perfect.”

He got out and slammed the door while I watched his fine self cross the highway as I attempted to regulate my racing heart. And spinning head. And the sudden realization that I was going to hurl at any second.

I pushed the door open as vomit spewed from my mouth and slapped on the concrete below.

The pain in my head came in a wave, and I sat with my head in my hands.

“Allie?”

I kept my eyes closed as Levi took my face in his hands. “Langley, look at me.”

I opened my eyes but it was too much. “Go away.”

He pushed me gently back into the vehicle. “We have to get you to the hospital. You might have a concussion.”

 

 

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