Page 98 of Hot Chocolate & Hitmen

It feels like hours before we slow down to a more sensual kiss, one that holds a lot of meaning. Righting us both slowly, he caresses the side of my face as we stare into each others’ eyes.

“We’re so lucky to have come across such a beautiful woman like you. Each day I thank my lucky elves for leading us to you.”

I giggle at the Christmas pun, swatting his chest. The warm, happy feeling in my chest souring just a little as I glance out of the window.

The storm seems to have finally broke. The sky sunny and clear with only small, gentle glitter dusting the mountains of snow outside. With the change, it begs to question:What happens when they can leave?

“Oh, stop it.” I pick my hair band off the floor and wrestle it back into a bun again. “Come on, let’s eat.”

I move away and take a seat opposite Atlas and Teddy, leaving the spot beside me open for Key. I busy myself with preparing a plate, trying to swallow the bitterness that threatens to take over. But it’s impossible. Now that the thought has crept in, I can’t seem to shake it.

When the roads clear and they can move freely again, they’ll go back to hunting down that poor girl. And I’ll return to a mundane life of?—

Well, nothing now.

“What’s wrong, Little One?” Teddy asks as Key sits himself down.

“Nothing,” I force a smile onto my face. “Everything’s fine. Now, I need to apologize.”

“About what?” Atlas asks in confusion. I don’t miss the subtle looks he shares with the others either.

“The eggs. They got a little...toastier than I’d planned.”

“They weren’t the only things getting toasty,” Key jibes, drawing a small laugh from me.

“They’re fine. Noweat.” The demand comes from Atlas, to which I simply raise my eyebrows at him. “Please,” he grits out through clenched teeth.

“Thank you,” I chirp, picking up my fork and tucking in.

With a small smile on my face, I immerse myself in the food, not wanting to ruin what we have going on. But the tension in the air is rife as they effortlessly catch on to the shift in me. All three of their gazes are unyielding as if they can see straight through to my soul.

Wanting to avoid eye contact, I glance out the window at the snowy landscape, tracking the tiny snowflakes as they float weightlessly in the air. I focus on the gentle movements, allowing it to lull me enough to work through my thoughts.

I want so desperately for this to continue, but it’s just not feasible. We lead very different lives. Before Jason, I would have been willing to concede my goals and aspirations to move anywhere with the one–orones–I love. But now? Now, I know I need to prioritize myself and my own ambitions, and it’s not fair to expect them to make sacrifices for me in that regard.

Plus, let’s face it, I’m just a random stranger they were forced into proximity with in a storm. It’s unlikely that they share the same depth of feelings I have for them.

“Whatever is going on in that pretty little head of yours, needs to stop right now.” Teddy’s unexpectedly soft voice has me jumping, leaving my fork to clatter on my plate in the silence following his words.

Locking eyes with him, he regards me carefully, like I’m a glass ornament about to break.

“Tell us what’s going on, Grace.” I go to shake my head and refute his statement–the jingle balls I’d just grown are starting to shrivel once more under their attention–but he cuts me off. “You can’t deny it, Little One. We can see your worry.”

I sigh.

“It’s just,” I grab the reindeer napkins I brought with me off the table and divert my attention. Wiping my mouth, I savor the moment as I try to gather my words without sounding like a whiny child. “I don’t want this to end.”

Staring at the napkin in my hand, it takes me a while, but I finally pluck up the courage to look at Teddy sitting across from me when the silence stretches out too long.

“I know you guys have your own life to get back to after this, but I really don’t want this to end. It’s just...Well, I’m going to miss you guys.”

Setting to destroying the napkin in my hands, I lower my eyes once more, not wanting to see the expressions on their faces. I’m surprised when Teddy reaches across the table to layhis hand over mine, stopping me from ripping up any more of the poor reindeer.

“Grace, look at me.” The use of my real name has me hesitantly raising my head. “We were actually planning to talk to you about this.”

I give him a sad smile, laying my hand over the top of his.

“It’s okay, I get-”

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