Page 10 of Blame It On The Reindeer

He set the package of meat on the counter and looked over his shoulder as he waited for me to answer.

“Medium.”

“Alright. I’ll let you know when supper is ready.”

I shifted my weight, unsure of what to do with myself now.

“Do you need any help?” I offered.

“Nope.”

I nodded my head, hating how uncomfortable it was right now.

“If you have a shovel, I can go out and start—”

“Do you have a death wish?” he snapped, turning on me so quickly I had to take a step back.

“Maybe?” I mean, where he was involved, it might be better at this point.

He stepped in front of me, invading my space again.

“I don’t want you to be stuck here any more than you want to be stuck here. But I’ve already told you that trying to leave in this storm is stupid. Now, I don’t know if you just have a hard time accepting no as an answer, but I don’t have time to play these games with you. If you want to be helpful, go find something for us to watch on TV and take off those so-called boots before you trip and break your ankle. I don’t need anything else to worry about right now.”

I stepped back and looked down at my feet.

“They’re not stupid. They’re cute.”

“They’re ridiculous to be wearing in this weather, and you’re just asking for trouble in them.”

“Fine,” I said with a dramatic sigh and roll of the eyes. “I’ll take them off, you big grump.”

“Thank you.”

I turned to walk away but stopped and spun around to look at him.

“Itdoeshave manners!” I squealed, clapping my hands for added effect.

He glared and then turned back to the stove to prepare dinner.

Eight

Brody

“Hey... you...” I struggled to remember her name, even though she had just told me during dinner. “Girl with the ridiculous boots—get in here.”

I stood beside my bed with a handful of blankets in my arms as she walked in, eyes narrowed in disapproval.

“Girl with the ridiculous boots?Are you kidding me?”

“Sorry. I forgot your name. Anyway, the bed is ready, and I have some extra blankets if you need them.”

“My name is Jasmin. And I’m not sleeping in your bed. I already told you I’ll take the couch.”

She extended her hand to take a blanket but frowned when I refused to pass one to her.

“And I told you the couch sucks and you’re not sleeping on it.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not sharing a bed with you. Give me the blanket, and I’ll sleep on the floor.”

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