Page 29 of Wrap Me Up

“Nothing, you’re just… happy. And that makes me happy.”

His smile turns to a bright grin, and it takes everything in me not to pull him to me and kiss him breathless. Luckily, Tinsel rarely stops himself from doing whatever he wants. His hand wraps around the back of my neck and he draws me down into a kiss. With all the elves around us, we keep it chaste again, but it’s enough for now. Just being together is enough.

“Will you spend the night?” He asks.

“I—”

“Just to sleep. I want cuddles. But in a bed, not the couch.” He scrunches his nose, and it’s the cutest.

“Sounds good.” By now, we’re at Dylan and Snow’s apartment and we knock.

The door creaks open and the scent of warm homemade cookies hits me right in the nose. We both moan. Everyone knows Dylan has the best cookies, all thanks to his gran’s recipe.

“Tinsel! Noel! Come in.” Snow moves out of the way and opens the door wider. Dozens of step stools grace the floor and we have to watch our steps. “You’re just in time for cookies.” He gives us a cheery smile and Dylan turns to face us.

“You really have a cookie radar,” Dylan says with a chuckle.

Tinsel laughs. “I wasn’t sniffing them out, I swear. We came because…” He stops and fiddles with the bottom of his shirt before he straightens his shoulders. “Earlier in the season, Snow offered to help us with shipping in the leather workshop. Would you still be willing to help?” He lets out a whoosh of air as if he held his breath the entire time he spoke.

“Of course I’m happy to help,” Snow says as he ushers us to the small bistro table. There are two chairs and we lean against the counter. “When would you like me to start? I have Dylan’s shop down to a science, and he’s all caught up until he works on the next round of orders. I can come over tomorrow.”

“Sounds perfect. Thank you.”

“Any time.” Snow plates a few cookies and passes them to us. “I’m glad you’re taking me up on the offer. We’ve been worried about you, Tinsel.”

“Yeah,” Dylan starts, but moans into a bite of cookie at the same time we all do. “So good.” He wipes crumbs from his mouth. “The other day we came to see you, but you were so zoned out that you didn’t even notice we came in.”

I frown at the knowledge and turn to Tinsel.

Dylan takes another bite of cookie. “It happens every year, but this year is worse.”

Tinsel swallows as we all stare him down. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to worry anyone. I promised Noel I’ll do better, and I will. Promise.” He pleads with his eyes.

“I told him I’d help him remember to take breaks.”

The pair nod and we eat our cookies in silence for a few bites.

It’s Snow that notices the bag I carry. “What’s that?” He nods towards it. I’d completely forgotten I had it with me.

“Ah, gift for Tinsel.” I pass it over to him and he grins.

Dylan snorts into a glass of milk. “You two really didn’t understand the assignement.”

“Or,” Tinsel says. “We understood it the best because we’re dating and from two different workshops. It’s almost like Romeo & Juliet.”

“It’s nothing like Romeo & Juliet,” Snow says.

“I said almost,” Tinsel mumbles.

“Okay, okay. Almost. I guess,” Snow says as he rolls his eyes.

Once Tinsel finishes his cookies, I take things into my own hands. “Thank you for the cookies and thank you Snow for agreeing to help Tinsel, but it’s time to get my Romeo to bed.”

“Take the shortcut,” Dylan offers, and we do.

Tinsel’s studio apartment is a mirror to Dylan’s. Just a living space and a tiny kitchen area and a door to what I assume is the bathroom. He has a huge bed in the far corner. He clutches his gift to his chest.

“Do you want me to open it in front of you?” He rummages around in a kitchen cabinet and passes a bag to me. “I have something for you, too.”

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