Page 52 of Snow Harm, No Foul

“I thought I noticed something earlier! You’ve been holding out on me!” Jill scolds.

“What?”

“Don’t play coy. You’re totally boinking Scrooge.”

My laugh is so loud and weird, more a snort than anything else. “Boinking?”

“Yes, boinking. Or should I say, you’ve found someone to shovel your sidewalks!”

“Okay, yes. But it’s kind of complicated?—”

“What’s complicated?” Niko’s gruff voice has fireworks exploding in my belly.

Jill’s brows dance as she releases my hands and cocks a hip. “You’ve been shovelling my friend’s sidewalks, Niko.”

“Is that a sexual innuendo?”

I step beneath Niko’s lifted arm and let him pull me close. His warmth and the scent of his cologne provide a sense of comfort that I hope I never go a day without.

It’s only been a day since we found ourselves snowed in, but it feels like it’s been months. Years, even. I’ve always believed that the honeymoon phase can last forever if you put the effort in, and that’s what I plan to do.

“I think you were a bit too obvious earlier when you were trying to make my clothes burst into flame from behind the bar,” I tell him.

He brushes a kiss over my temple. “Not obvious enough, considerin’ you’re still dressed.”

I roll my lips, an eyebrow lifting. “You’d prefer me be walking around here naked?”

“No.” His scowl is evident enough in his voice, but seeing it makes me giggle.

“That’s what I thought.”

“Maybe I should go give this to someone else if you’re goin’ to keep teasin’ me,” he threatens and lifts the cup in his hand toward me.

The scent of peppermint hits when he brings it up to my nose. I snatch the cup like a raccoon taking scraps and gulp it back.

“I’ll have whatever the hell she is,” Jill says.

“Ivy’s Winter Kiss.”

Goosebumps pebble across my arms, a warm smile forming around my swirly straw.

Jill sighs heavily and pats my arm. “Well, I’m incredibly single. Merry Ho-Ho-Ho it is. I’ll see you in the office soon, yeah?”

I nod, unable to stop drinking.

Niko and I both discussed keeping my pregnancy to ourselves for a couple more weeks, considering how early it still is. But I can’t wait to announce it to everyone as soon as we can.

“Don’t forget to climb Scrooge’s lap and tell him what you want for Christmas,” Jill whispers while passing by me, a coy smirk on her face.

I giggle into my drink and let her leave.

“The drink good, angel? I tried to bring one around earlier, but it was so fuckin’ busy,” Niko grunts.

Easing away from the straw, I pat my mouth dry and find his waiting eyes. “I think I could survive on only these for the rest of my life.”

“Not happenin’, but I’m glad you like it.”

“What a buzzkill,” I tease.

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