Page 26 of Hot Chocolate & Hitmen

Teddy rolls his eyes. “Of course, you’d say that.”

“I’ve got range, man,” Key defends with a shrug.

Teddy throws an ornament at Key, who catches it millimeters before it smacks him in the face, “I’m more of aWhite Christmaskind of guy. Can’t beat that classic.”

Atlas grunts, “Silent Night.”

I raise an eyebrow at him. “Silent Night? Really?”

He nods, his eyes softening for a moment. “It’s peaceful.”

I smile, feeling that odd connection to Atlas again, like there’s a lot more under the surface of his tough exterior. “I like that.”

I hum, feeling the tension ease out of the air as we slip back into easy conversation. For now, I let the idea of their bombshell sit in the back of my mind. There’ll be time to unpack it later. Right now, I just want to focus on this—this strange, beautiful Christmas we’re building together.

We move around the room, hanging ornaments and lights. Teddy meticulously spaces each one, while Key keeps trying to hang baubles in ridiculous places just to make me laugh. I catch him sneaking a Christmas light into Atlas’s back pocket, and when Atlas realizes, he gives Key a look that promises revenge. I can’t help but giggle, feeling lighter.

At some point, Atlas starts untangling another string of lights and I’m struck by how careful and gentle his hands are despite how strong they look. There’s something about that contrast that makes me pause, watching him work, lost in thought. What would it be like to truly be with these men, all three of them?

By the time we’re done, the tree is glowing with multi-colored lights, tinsel, and carefully placed ornaments. I take a step back, admiring the scene, and I can’t help the sense of joy bubbling up in me.

“It’s beautiful,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. The tree, the laughter, the warmth...it’s all I’ve ever wanted.

“Yeah, it is,” Teddy agrees, his gaze lingering on me a little longer than the tree.

Clearing my throat–ignoring the heat on my cheeksagain–I straighten a gingerbread ornament, smiling at the three little cookie men holding hands. "I wish I had some hot cocoa to celebrate with."

No sooner do the words leave my mouth than Key jumps to his feet. "One cocoa coming right up, my lady!"

I blink in confusion, knowing that the hot chocolate was almost gone just last night, until Teddy finally helps me out. "We spotted a storage shed out back when we went out to get wood the other day, and we brought in tons of supplies before the snow got too bad. Which reminds me, we could do with sorting it and putting it all away."

Turning on his heel, with Atlas at his back, they leave the room to probably do exactly that.

Key chuckles as he lingers, offering me a dramatic bow. “We’re here to serve, Sugar.” Before I can respond, he disappears into the kitchen, leaving me shaking my head with a bemused smile.

With the guys out of the room, I finally have a moment to myself and I eye the last box that I had strategically hidden with the decorations when I first got here. Kneeling on the floor by the tree, I mechanically begin removing the contents.

One by one I gently place the gifts I packed for Jason under the tree, a knot forming in my stomach. The cheerful wrapping paper and the carefully tied ribbons seem out of place now, likerelics of a plan that no longer fits. My fingers hesitate on one of the boxes, and I feel the weight of the decision pressing down on me.

Why am I even bothering with these?

The thought creeps in uninvited, and I almost flinch from it. The idea of throwing them away, of erasing that part of my life, feels tempting for a moment–freeing, even. Jason doesn’t deserve these gifts, not after what he did. The betrayal, the lies, all of it. I could toss them, and no one would know. No one would care. He wouldn’t even miss them.

My hand hovers, as if daring myself to follow through. But something holds me back.

I’m not that person.

I sigh, sitting back on my heels, my fingers trailing along the edge of the wrapping paper. As much as I want to, I can’t bring myself to toss the gifts. It feels wrong–like it would change something fundamental about me. Even after everything Jason did, even though he broke my heart, a part of me still holds on to the idea that these gifts weren’t for him now, but for the person I thought he was. For the person I wanted to believe in.

It’s too late to take it back now. I’m too...toome.

So, I carefully place the presents under the tree, arranging them just right, even though I know he’ll never deserve them. I bite my lip, trying to push the bittersweet feeling away.

No use dwelling on it. There are better memories to make, and I won’t let Jason ruin this moment.

When the guys reappear, there’s a mischievous glint in their eyes that immediately puts me on edge–in the best way possible. Key is the first to reach me, holding out a steaming mug topped with an indulgent swirl of whipped cream and peppermint sticks. The smell of chocolate and mint wraps around me, making my mouth water.

But it’s Teddy who catches my eye. He’s hanging back, something hidden behind his broad frame, and Atlas is quietly shaking his head beside him. My curiosity spikes.

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