Page 31 of The Mistletoe Makeover

“Maybe we could share,” he says, trying to readjust the small blanket so it covers his feet.

“Share what?”

“Forget it,” he says. “Dumb idea.”

“There are no dumb ideas. Not when our feet are about to turn into ice blocks.”

He readjusts the blanket, but it’s not going to fit him no matter how hard he tries. “It won’t work anyway.”

“Just tell me, Jace.”

He pauses, his eyes sweeping over the bed. “Well, two people make more heat than one. Just like you and your brothers.”

It takes a moment for the idea to sink in. “Are you suggesting we share the bed?” I say slowly.

“I told you it was a dumb idea.”

“No, it’s not dumb at all. I mean, this is an emergency. It’s not like...” I stop myself, realizing where I’m about to go with this conversation. It’s not likethere’s something between us. We’re trying to survive. People have done far worse to survive.

“We don’t have to do it,” he says, dismissing the idea.

“No, I’m okay with it. As long as we both stay on our side of the bed. We’ll put our heat warmers under the covers, draw an imaginary line, and stay on our designated side.” I mime drawing a line down the center of the bed. It’s no different than two people sleeping on an airplane next to one another.

“Are you sure about this?” Jace asks, a bit worried.

Not at all. Because right now, I’m freaking out.

“It’s fine,” I say breezily, even though the blood is pounding in my ears.

How am I going to sleep with Jace Knight next to me? I don’t have a clue. I leave one warmer pack on his side of the bed, then place the other near my feet.

Then I fall back onto my pillow and pull the covers up to my chin.

Jace makes his way to the bed, slowly slides in, and stays by the edge of the mattress like he’s afraid of getting even remotely near me.

I’m sure I look odd with my covers up to my earlobes, staring at the ceiling, like this isn’t awkward.

“Good night,” he murmurs, then reaches over and turns off the bedside lamp as the room plunges into darkness.

“One more thing,” I say. “Do you snore?”

“I don’t think so. Why... do you snore?”

“Of course not! I just wondered whether you did.”

He pauses, then says, “Well, if you do, I’ll tell you in the morning.”

I slap his arm in the dark.

“Ouch. What was that for?”

“Like this isn’t already weird enough.”

Even without looking, I know Jace is smiling in the dark.

“I was joking!” he says. “But I’ll still tell you if you snore.”

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