Page 32 of Snow Harm, No Foul

He places the cup on the bar in front of me before adding a matching red straw. “Just try it.”

“Fine, fine.”

I pull it a bit closer and then take a sip. It’s the same consistency as a normal daiquiri but is minty instead of fruity. The mild burn of peppermint grows when I take another drink and moan, immediately taking another.

It’s not until I suck in through the straw and get nothing but air that I realize I’ve finished the entire thing. I lean back and dab the corner of my lips with my thumb, only slightly embarrassed.

“Good?” he asks, humour lining his tone.

“I told you it would be.”

No longer behind the bar, he comes to my side and taps my chin, bringing my eyes up to meet his.

“Still need to hear you say it, angel.”

I grin. “It’s incredible. Maybe even the best drink I’ve ever had. It’s like peppermint hot chocolate in slushy form.”

He smooths his knuckles along my jaw, nodding. “I’ll make it for you every day, then.”

“Every day might be a bit excessive.”

“The baby likes it.”

“Let’s give it a few minutes to settle before deciding that,” I tease.

Niko leans a hand against the bar and ducks his head to bring us closer together with his height. “There are a couple of bins of decorations in the basement. I haven’t gone through them in a while.”

“I’d be honoured to go through them with you and then decorate this place. It’sreallynot giving Christmas in here.”

“We can’t have that,” he grunts.

“No, we can’t. Especially not so close to the holidays. I want everyone to come in here and be smacked across the face with holiday cheer,” I gush.

He offers me a hand, and I smile while taking it. Once I’ve slid off the stool, Niko surprises me by sweeping me off my feet in one strong lift.

“Niko!” I kick my sock-clad feet in the air and link my hands behind his neck. “I’m pregnant, not broken.”

“Just let me carry you.”

My exhale is dramatic. “Fine. If you insist.”

“I do.”

“Is this going to be a common occurrence? Or are you having a weird burst of chivalry right now?”

His chest vibrates against my side, but unlike in the kitchen, he doesn’t laugh audibly.

“I’d carry you everywhere always if you let me. I don’t see that happenin’, though.”

“Because I’m just so independent?”

“You are independent. But I was thinkin’ more stubborn.”

I gasp. “Stubborn? You don’t know me well enough to make that conclusion.”

“Don’t I? You were around me quite often before. Just ’cause you weren’t always talkin’ to me doesn’t mean that I wasn’t payin’ attention.”

“Give me an example, then, Mr. Know It All.”

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