Ouch! Get off me, you pricks!" I groaned when Jimmy and Anne jumped onto my bed, their laughter filling the room.

"Get up, sleepyhead. Ed made breakfast," Jimmy teased, bouncing on my back like a hyperactive toddler.

"Get off me, you dick! First, you want to kill me by crushing my lungs and breaking my ribs, and now you're telling me I have to risk my life eating Ed's cooking?"

Jimmy let out a deep laugh. "What are you going on about?"

I groaned, my face still buried in my pillow. "Ed making breakfast? Do you have a death wish?"

Anne giggled beside me, still sprawled across the bed. "Shut up and get dressed, or I'll have everyone in the house jump on you."

Jimmy grinned wickedly. "Actually, you need a good jump, considering how tense and hormonal you've been lately."

"Fuck off, asshole!" I swatted at him, but he dodged, laughing as he left the room.

I threw the covers off and yawned when I noticed Anne still lying there, looking suspiciously... blissful.

"Good morning," I muttered, rubbing my eyes.

"Oh, it's a very good morning," she replied, her grin widening.

I narrowed my eyes. "Before you say anything..."

She held up a hand. "I know what I'm doing. I'm not looking for anything serious, just some fun. Jimmy's been honest with me, so don't lecture me."

I held up my hands in surrender. "Hey, you're a big girl."

"Good," she nodded, flipping onto her stomach with a dreamy sigh.

When I walked into the kitchen, everyone was already eating, deep in conversation about the day's plans. My eyes instinctively sought out Harry's.

I wasn't sure if things would be awkward after last night—after what almost happened. But as soon as his gaze met mine, I saw it: the same warm, teasing look he always had. A silent understanding. We were cool.

I let out a quiet breath of relief, offering him a smirk before heading to the kettle.

"More tea, anyone?"

A few uninterested grunts followed. As I reached for a mug, I heard Harry murmur, "You are my cup of tea."

I nearly dropped the kettle. "I'm your what?"

"You're my pain in the ass," he clarified with a grin, nodding towards my mug.

"Stop it!" I swatted his arm, but he only chuckled.

"And here I thought things would be awkward," I admitted in a whisper.

"Why would they be?"

I gave him a pointed look. "Because of... last night."

He smirked. "What happened?"

I rolled my eyes. "Nothing?"

He leaned in slightly, voice low. "Exactly."

I shook my head, biting back a smile as I walked over to Jimmy, pretending Harry hadn't just made my heart race for no good reason.

We spent the day on the slopes—skiing, falling, laughing until our stomachs hurt. The crisp mountain air felt like a cleanse, a much-needed break from the weight of real life.

At one point, Ed and I decided to rent snowmobiles. Anne and Harry joined us, pairing off into teams—Anne with me, Harry with Ed.

"You sure you don't want to ride with me?" Harry asked, arms crossed.

I shrugged, zipping up my jacket. "Afraid you won't be able to handle Gingerhead's driving?"

He scoffed. "I'd just rather not die today."

Anne and I exchanged amused looks before we all set off, engines roaring against the icy trails. The cold air whipped through my hair as we weaved between snow-laden trees, the scent of pine and burning wood filling my lungs.

When we reached a clearing overlooking the valley below, I cut the engine, momentarily stunned by the view.

The village nestled in the distance, its rooftops dusted in white, tiny chimney trails curling smoke into the cold sky. It looked like something out of a painting—untouched, peaceful.

"God, it's so beautiful," I breathed, barely aware I'd spoken out loud.

"You are," Harry murmured.

I stiffened. Turned.

He was standing next to me now, his face unreadable. His gloved fingers brushed my cheek in a fleeting motion, warm despite the cold.

"We need to go, Ella. It's getting dark." His voice was softer this time.

I hesitated before nodding. "Can I drive back?"

He smiled. "Not a chance."

By the time we returned home, exhaustion had set in. Everyone turned in early, but I couldn't sleep. I had poured yet another cup of tea and looked on the shelves for a book to kill time when I saw something that made my heart skip a beat. The Little Prince. I reluctantly took it and sat by the window, lost in thought, the book resting in my lap.

I wasn't even reading. Just staring.

Michael had once bought me this book. He'd told me I reminded him of the rose—needy, complicated, a hassle.

"You expect too much, Ella."

I clenched my jaw, shaking off the memory.

"So here you are, my cup of tea," a familiar voice murmured.

I turned, startled.

Harry stood by the doorway, dressed in a grey tracksuit and white t-shirt, watching me with something close to curiosity.

"What are you thinking?" he asked, nodding to the book in my lap.

"Nothing," I lied.

"You've been staring at the cover for five minutes, goof." He threw a cushion at me before sitting down.

I smirked. "You've been out of it all day," he noted, patting the space beside him.

I hesitated before curling up next to him, pulling the fleece blanket over both of us.

"Hey," he nudged me, "it's a different day. Want to talk to me today?"

I exhaled. "There's not much to say."

Harry tilted his head. "I don't believe that for a second."

I swallowed. "It's very simple, really."

"Simple?" He looked almost... disappointed.

"Yep."

"Care to elaborate?"

I shrugged, my eyes burning before I could stop them.

"What did he do to you, Ella?"

I felt his palm on my back, slow, careful. Comforting.

"He didn't love me back," I whispered. And just like that, the tears came. Silent at first. A slow, steady stream.

Harry stiffened, then pulled me against him without hesitation.

"Shhh... It's okay. Let it out."

The dam broke. I sobbed. I didn't even realize how much I had needed to.

"It's okay," he murmured against my hair. "I'm here."

I sniffled. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For being a crybaby."

He chuckled. "You're not a crybaby. You're a sassy, witty, no-bullshit kind of girl. I like that about you."

I let him hold me, the warmth of his body grounding me.

"What really happened, Ella?"

I exhaled shakily. "He made me fall for him. Made me believe in forever. Then he decided I wasn't worth the effort."

Harry clenched his jaw. "He was an idiot."

"He cheated."

His fingers stilled on my back.

I laughed bitterly. "For months. And the worst part? He let me believe I was the problem. That I was too much for him."

Harry didn't speak. Just held me tighter.

"I promised myself I'd never let anyone make me feel that way again."

"You shouldn't," he murmured. "You deserve someone who gets you, Ella."

I looked up at him. "And who gets you, Harry?"

His lips parted, but no answer came.

"Thank you." I said then meaning it.

"Are you feeling better?" he asked, his look soft.

"Oddly I do. Thank you."

He smiled, kissed my knuckles and whispered, "Anytime, beautiful."

And just like that, I fell asleep in his arms while his long fingers combed my hair.