Last Christmas, Y/N had given her heart to Rafe Cameron. The golden boy of the island had swept her off her feet with his sly smile and easy charm. She thought she saw something in his blue eyes when they danced under the twinkling lights of the Midsummers Gala. But as the night ended, she saw him with Sofia—laughing, holding hands, and kissing under the mistletoe. It was like a dagger to her heart. She spent the rest of the holiday nursing her wounds, promising herself she’d never fall for someone who didn’t see her worth

This Christmas was different. The air felt lighter, and so did Y/N’s heart. She didn’t know when it started—maybe when JJ Maybank, the wild and free-spirited Pogue, started spending more time with her. He had a way of making her laugh until her cheeks hurt and pulling her into adventures that made her forget the pain Rafe left behind

As the annual Christmas bonfire roared on the beach, Y/N stood beside JJ, who handed her a steaming mug of hot chocolate “I’m glad you’re here,” he said, his voice softer than usual