Page 121 of Hot Chocolate & Hitmen

Tina doesn’t even flinch, her gaze fixed on me with a hatred that’s almost unsettling. “Oh, please,” she snaps, rolling her eyes. “Let me guess, they’re allso in lovewith you, right? Just like Jason was. Look how that one turned out.”

Atlas steps forward, his voice low and calm but laced with menace. “You’d do well to shut up.”

Tina scoffs, tossing her hair back as she looks at each of them with open contempt. “Or what? What are you gonna do? Intimidate me? You all think you’re so tough, so noble, coming here with her like some over-the-top knight-in-shining-armor routine.” Her gaze shifts back to me, eyes narrowed. “But here’s the truth, Grace. You’re still the same lonely, desperate girl you always were. They’ll get bored of you, just like Jason did. And when they do, you’ll be right back where you started–alone.”

The words hit hard, but I feel a strange sense of calm settle over me. I smile, and it’s genuine this time, soft but unbreakable. “You know what, Tina? The difference between you and me is that I don’t need to tear others down to feel secure. I know myworth with or without them. But you? You’ll still be clinging to your bitterness long after everyone else has moved on.”

She moves to step towards me, all three of my guys tensing, but Jason–looking completely fed up–lets out an exasperated sigh. “Enough, Tina. You need to leave.Now.”

Her eyes snap to him, widening in disbelief. “Are you serious?” she hisses. “After everything I’ve done for you, you’re just going to...throw me out?”

Jason’s face is set, resolute. “Yeah, I am. I should’ve done it a long time ago.”

“Fine. You have a small dick anyway.” She turns on her heel, stalking toward the door but not before shooting one last glare at me over her shoulder. “Enjoy your little fairytale, Grace, you pathetic whore. It won’t last.”

She whips back around to make her dramatic exit–only for her heel to catch on the edge of a rug, sending her flailing forward. Her arms pinwheel wildly as she tries to regain her balance, but Key moves fast, sliding his foot out in her path just enough to seal her fate. She trips over his foot, her arms flying as she stumbles headlong into the umbrella stand by the door with a loud crash.

Everyone freezes for a split second as Tina scrambles to pick herself up, her face bright red, hair disheveled, and her pride in absolute shambles.

“Oh, my bad,” Key says, voice dripping with faux sincerity as he puts a hand to his chest. “Didn’t see you there, Tina. It’s just–you moved so fast.”

Tina’s eyes flash with fury as she scrambles up, and she glares daggers at him. “You think you’re funny, don’t you?”

Key grins, shrugging as he leans against the wall. “Honey, I don’t think–I know.”

Tina, now visibly trembling with a mix of rage and embarrassment, lets out an indignant huff. Straightening herselfwith as much dignity as she can muster, she brushes herself off. Only, she must have picked up a streak of dust from the umbrella stand as she proceeds to smear dark lines down the front of her once-pristine white coat. She gasps, trying to brush it off, which only makes it worse.

“Oh, Tina,” I say, barely containing my laughter. “You’ve got a little something...right here.” I motion to my own spotless coat, mirroring the spot on hers.

She clenches her jaw, practically vibrating with anger. “Whatever,” she snaps, but her voice cracks. Turning back to the door, she grips the handle with white knuckles and flings it open so hard, it bounces off the wall and nearly hits her on the way out.

The silence she leaves behind feels strange, almost surreal. I let out a long sigh, looking around the room at the mess she left behind.

Key gives a low whistle. “Well, that was...entertaining.”

Teddy squeezes my shoulder gently, his eyes full of quiet reassurance. “You alright?”

I nod, feeling the weight of it all lift from my shoulders. “Yeah. I am.”

Jason, looking defeated, doesn’t even meet my eyes. “Grace, I…I know there’s nothing I can say to fix any of this, but…I am truly sorry.”

I nod, feeling surprisingly free as I glance around the house one last time. “Don’t worry about it, Jason. I’m good.”

With Christmas snuggling into my arms and the guys by my side, I head upstairs with a pep in my step. I have new memories to make, new places to go, and with Teddy, Key, and Atlas by my side, I feel ready to finally leave the past behind and embrace whatever comes next.

Best Christmas ever.

Epilogue

TWO YEARS LATER

The sun barely peeks through the curtains, but the house is already alive with the sound of chaos. A loud thump, followed by a bark and someone muttering under their breath, makes me smile as I stretch under the covers, savoring the peaceful remnants of my dream. I barely have time to adjust to wakefulness before a nose nudges my cheek, then another, and a massive paw lands squarely on my thigh. Three sets of eager eyes stare down at me, tails thumping wildly.

Christmas, our Siberian Husky, is playfully snapping at her two younger fur-siblings to try and wiggle in for cuddles. Chestnut, our one year old Golden Retriever is rolling on his back, swatting her away with a goofy grin on his face as he looks up at me. And Mistletoe, our Bernese Mountain Dog, is simply laying his head right on my chest, lazily demanding love.

“All right, all right!” I laugh, reaching out to scratch behind each fuzzy ear. These fur monsters never let me sleep in, not that I could ever resist their sloppy morning kisses. "Morning, babies."

Just as I'm getting buried in puppy love, in walks Teddy, balancing a tray of coffee and a pile of folded clothes on top. Atlas follows, a massive suitcase in one hand, and Key, whistling, drags another behind him.

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