Page 25 of Frosted Hearts

"You, know how to build a snowman?" I raise my eyebrow at his back skeptical of him.

"Yes, yes I do," he laughs and picks up his pace.

It doesn't take us long to get back to the cabin with the grueling pace Grace sets for us with Steel's guidance. What should have taken us thirty minutes again took about twenty. She made us run part of it before Steel led us through a shortcut. The very shortcut that now had me standing on the edge of a rock ledge looking down on the cabin. "No! No way am I jumping. I'll go around," I spin to do exactly that. I don't care how much longer it takes me. I refuse to jump off that ledge like those two crazies did.

"It's not that big of a drop, Illeana," Steel shouts back from below me. "Grace did it. You'll be fine."

"She's twelve!" I huff, peering over the ledge once more. I'm not terrified of heights, at least I never thought I was but this... It's different. A million things could happen and go wrong. There's too many risks.

"I'm right here. I'll catch you so you won't get hurt," Steel calls out calmly, his eyes not leaving mine. I can't quite make out what his expression is. It's like a mix between amused and annoyed. I don't like it.

"Promise you'll catch me?" I ask, debating if I'm going insane for being willing to do this. I honestly don't see why I can't just go around.

"Promise. Now, jump down," he instructs from below the edge. His hands are stretched out to catch me, willing me to just trust him and take the jump.

Doing what he says, I sit on the edge of the rock face and slowly begin to slide myself forward. My stomach drops as Imake it over the edge, and I'm pretty sure a small scream leaves my lips, but that's something I refuse to admit to. My eyes had closed the second I was over the ledge, and I only reopened them when I felt Steel's hands catch me and lower me to the ground.

"Told you I'd watch you," he whispers in my ear before taking a step back and letting his hands drop from my waist. His touch left me feeling on fire, and thank god my cheeks were already red from the cold and wind because I knew I was blushing.

"Do you wanna build a snowman?" he sings, holding his hand out for me to take.

Shaking my head I have to think for a second about what he asked. 'Did you just make a Frozen reference?" I gasp. I mean he didn't know who Stitch was the other night so how the hell does he know anything about Frozen?

"Depends. Are you going to strike me with your powers and put ice in my heart? If so, then I’ll need true love's kiss to heal me," he jokes, giving me a wink before turning away and walking to Grace's side, where she's kneeling trying to gather snow into a ball.

All I can do is stand here staring at them while my brain tries to catch up. What the hell happened to the guy who was pissed at me? To the guy who was so controlling, and overbearing that I couldn't stand him. In his place is a guy who is being too nice for my liking and happens to know Disney references.What the fuck. A guy who is being nice to my sister and helping her build a snowman. I really wish I could talk to Morgan and get her advice because I have no clue what to do now. I guess the only thing there is to do, go help them build a snowman.

"I still thinkwe should have put a scarf on the snowman," Grace pouts as she takes a seat at the kitchen island beside me. We've been back inside for less than five minutes and she still couldn't let it go. THe only way I was able to get her inside was with the promise of hot chocolate. I had left her and Steel outside to admire their handiwork, while I came to pull out all the ingredients. I even went so far as to get the milk out because everyone knows hot cocoa is just better with milk than water.

"Oh wow, pulling out all the stops for cocoa," Steel states as he joins us in the kitchen. "What're the pink sprinkles for?"

"Duh, it's the only way to have cocoa. And don't forget the peppermint either!" Grace retorts, leaving no room for argument.

"Okay," he hesitates, looking between us before shrugging. "How about I make the cocoa while you both relax?"

"You sure you can handle that?" I know how picky Grace is about her cocoa, there is only one proper way to make it.This is going to be fun to watch, I chuckle.

"Hundred percent. Relax and let me work." He goes to turn the milk on in a pot on the stove and we watch on. While the milk heats up, he opens a packet of cocoa mix and pours it into a mug. So far he's on the right track. Let's see what he does after. It doesn't take long before the milk is heated up and he pours it into the first mug. He stirs it quickly and then pours the sprinkles in before adding the marshmallows. And there's the first mistake .

"First cup, here you go," he pushes the mug toward Grace who is looking at it in disgust.

"Uh, nope you did it wrong," Grace shakes her head, pushing the cup back toward him.

”What do you mean, wrong?” Steel looks at Grace quizzically. Grace offers nothing, just smiles at him and says "Try again, Big Guy."

Steel stands there staring at her completely confused but gets back to work on a second cup. He opens another packet of cocoa mix and pours it into a mug. This time he adds the sprinkles on top of the marshmallows. He hands the mug to Grace, who just shakes her head again and says “Nope, no dice”.

“Seriously kid? What's wrong this time?” Steel asks. I sit across from them, watching and chuckling as Steel looks completely lost. Grace slides another bag of marshmallows at him. “If I add any more marshmallows there won’t be room for the hot cocoa.” Grace grins at him.

“Try adding some marshmallows before you add the hot milk,” I offer with a wink. Steel grumbles something under his breath that I think sounds a lot like ‘fuck a nut’. He does as I suggest and the marshmallows melt just like she likes it. He adds extra marshmallows after stirring the milk in and tops them with the sprinkles. So close.

“Getting there,” Grace chimes as she smirks at Steel.

“Okay, kiddo, you’re gonna have to help me out some. What am I missing?” Steel cries out. Grace slides him a candy cane but says nothing. “What am I supposed to do with this?”

I take the second cup of cocoa and break some small pieces of candy cane to put in. Grace may like extra marshmallows but I prefer mine with a few on top and lots of peppermint. Steel looks over at me and a giant grin spreads across his face. He gets another mug, grabs the candy cane, and turns his back on us.

After a few minutes and some loud banging, Steel turns around and slides the fourth cup over to her. Grace looks at the cup, and says “Oh my! Crushed candy cane on top AND sprinkles, this is the best!” Steel looks like he just won a gold medal at the Olympics.

---