Sand & Snow (Sand & Clay #1.5) by Sarah Robinson

telling them her story.
    “Yeah, I remember that now. Haven’t thought about that in a long time. I don’t know why we continued doing it each year, but Logan kept asking and soon it just became tradition. Kind of like a memento of the past.” Mickey told them as everyone picked up their trays and began following him and Laura to the living room.
    “That’s a beautiful story, you never told me that before. ” Caroline whispered to Logan. He nodded, a small smile on his lips, and she realized that there were tears in his eyes. He was staring past her in the direction his parents had gone, his face hinting at a rare moment of fragility.
    “You never heard that story before, did you?” She asked softly and he shook his head no. Smiling down at her, he kissed her forehead.
    “I love you, Caroline.” He told her just as quietly.
    “Merry Christmas Eve, Logan.” She smiled back, kissing his quickly on the lips before shooting him a small smile and following everyone else to the fireplace in the living room.
     
    ღ ~ ღ ~ ღ ~ ღ
     
    “Caroline, do you know what time we are supposed to wake up tomorrow?” Aralia yawned as they walked up the stairs later that evening to go to bed.
    “I think Laura said breakfast was at ten, but I’m not positive. I’ll have to double check with Logan.”
    “Okay. Hey, that reminds me, you’re not allowed to scrape me off on Logan’s friend again.” Aralia scrunched up her nose, looking disgusted.
    “We didn’t scrape you off!” Caroline giggled, giving Aralia a small push, propelling her up the stairs faster.
    “You totally did. You went and got your lovey-dovey, fuck-a-rockstar time in and I got stuck with asshole big brother. He is a major pain in the ass.”
    “What did he do?” Caroline couldn’t stop laughing as they reached the top and headed down one of the hallways.
    “He was a total cock block. One second I’ve got my arms around him riding to the bar on the back of his motorcycle, which was so damn hot by the way. Then the next second, he acts outraged that Rock and Charlie might have thought we were together. Then when I tried to get my flirt on with Rock- my goodness, that man is lickable- Dylan totally cock blocks me.” Aralia ranted.
    “Wait, you were trying to hook up with Rock?” Caroline’s jaw dropped as she stared at her friend, following Aralia into her bedroom.
    “Unsuccessfully.” Aralia groaned and flung herself onto the plush queen sized bed she had all to herself since the Clay’s home had enough bedrooms to comfortably sleep all of them.
    “From what Logan tells me, Rock is a player. You don’t want that.” Caroline laughed at her friend and sat on the bed next to her.
    “The hell I don’t! Have you seen him? His name is fitting because he looks like he is carved from rock. Literally.” Aralia lifted her head up off the bed to stare at Caroline.
    “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Caroline shrugged, her hands up in defense.
    “It doesn’t matter anyway. He has barely looked at me since Dylan threw up the giant Don’t-Touch-Aralia-sign.”
    “Maybe Dylan wants to keep you for himself.” Caroline suggested, but Aralia just glared at her.
    “Yeah right, he was pretty clear on that not being the case. And even if he did suddenly have a change of heart, believe me, that door would fucking slam in his stupid, hot face.” Aralia’s anger flared out into laughter and the two women fell back onto the bed, giggling.
    “I should have known to follow the cackling to find you two.” Logan leaned against the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest, grinning at them.
    “Cackling? That’s so sexist.” Aralia shot back at him. Grabbing a pillow off the bed, she flung it toward him. Logan side stepped easily and the pillow went right past him into the hallway.
    “I’m coming, I’m coming. Stop fighting, guys.” Caroline stood up, laughing as she walked over to Logan.
    “Yes, Mommy.” Aralia mocked, teasing her as she