Page 30 of My Greatest Joy

“And you know what they say about that? Practice makes perfect.” I shoot her a wink.

And although she doesn’t respond, I swear I see a hint of a blush covering her cheeks.

After everything’s rinsed and situated, I press the brew button. Seconds later, coffee drips into the carafe.

Fallon looks like a kid in a candy store, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen her smile this wide. Once it’s finished, I grab a mug and fill it for her.

“I’m sorry I don’t have any cream, but I have plenty of milk and sugar.”

“Fine by me. I prefer it black anyway,” she says.

“To match yourblack heart?”

“Yep,” she deadpans.

Fallon takes a tiny sip and then moans as the liquid coats her throat. That sound has my cock twitching. I swallow hard, forcing my gaze away from her as she glances at me over the top of her mug. “It’s exactly what I’ve been missing in my life.”

“My mom has plenty more if you need it. That woman loves her coffee.”

“She sounds way cooler than you,” she taunts, hugging the ceramic with her hands.

“Yeah, I have a feeling you’ll change your tune once you learn her love for Christmas is twice as intense as mine.”

She makes a face, but then her lips curve into a smile as she blows on the liquid. “Right now, I don’t care about anything other than drinking this.”

Fallon grabs an ice cube from the freezer and puts it inside. Once it’s cool enough to drink, she takes a big gulp and sighs.

“If this is all it took to make you happy, I would’ve jumped on the snowmobile four days ago.”

Fallon playfully rolls her eyes, but when she looks at me, there’s fire behind them.

I wish I knew why she continues to put on this hard-ass act because that’s what it is. There are moments when her mask slips, and I see the real person hiding behind the scowl. She’s more transparent than she thinks, but I’ll continue to let her believe she has me fooled.

“Oh, before I forget. The furnace guy said he’s booked up, so it might be a few days before he can come out.”

“Great.” She frowns.

“The other bit of bad news is there are no rooms available anywhere unless you want me to try the town over. But I suspect it’s gonna be about the same.”

“How far of a drive is it?”

“About fifty miles,” I explain. “Could take over an hour to get from here to there, depending on if it’s snowing or not.”

“I don’t want to keep imposing on your personal space. So if I have to drive an hour?—”

“You can stay here, Fallon. I don’t mind your company, even when you’re a grumpy ass sometimes.” I chuckle when she glares at me.

“Are you sure? I can?—”

“Absolutely,” I say. “Unless you want to leave? I can’t imagine you’d have fun sleeping in that minivan.”

“I don’twantto leave,” she admits, and it’s music to my ears. “Honestly, I’d probably die of frostbite or be more miserable anywhere else. One of the reasons I agreed to come is because I’d have a large space to sleep and work.”

“Well, I’d never let you freeze to death. You know my bed is always available whenever you need some extra warmth.” I smirk.

Dasher trots over and interrupts us.

“Outside?”

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