Page 80 of Bitter Beats

She stares at me for a beat before sighing heavily. “It’s not that, Mav. We already hashed that out in the city. I’m not angry with you.”

“You’re not? Then, what is it? Why are you shutting me out?”

She sighs, watching me for a long moment. “What do you want to do?”

It’s not an answer to my question but it’s a step in the right direction, so I take it. If I can get this woman to smile on Christmas, I’ll consider it a win.

“Let’s build a fort.”

“What?” She snorts, shaking her head. “No. We can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because we’re not seven!”

“Don’t you remember how fun it was being seven?”

Mckenna’s eyes are wide, less wary than earlier today. “I can’t tell if you’re being serious.”

“I’m always serious about serious things.”

The corner of her mouth twitches, and she almost smiles. Ah, I’m so close to a breakthrough!

“Come on.” I grab her wrist and tug. “We need the couch cushions. Go get a sheet.”

“I… This?—”

“Please, Mckenna. It’s Christmas.”

She shakes her head, but does as I ask. Reluctant as always, that one. She returns a few minutes later with a sheet. We construct the foundation of our fort from chairs, the coffee table, and couch cushions. Then, we carefully place the sheet on top to serve as our roof.

I lift the flap of the sheet. “After you.”

Mckenna snorts and rolls her eyes, but she’s amused. She crawls inside, and I pass her some additional pillows and blankets. Crawling in after her, I set up some twinkle lights I swiped from the mantle. I grab the bottle of wine and another glass and make a little popcorn picnic in the center of our fort.

Mckenna shifts in the space next to me. “Now what?”

“Now, we talk.”

She wrinkles her nose. Fine, too soon.

“Or we can watch a Christmas movie.”

She smiles. “I’m watching a romantic comedy.”

“I know,” I sigh.

She lifts an eyebrow, waiting for me to back out.

“Will you restart it?” I ask, not wanting to tune in halfway through the movie.Even though I’ll probably judge the premise the entire time, I’d like to know exactly what I’m commenting on.

“Okay,” she says shyly.

I smirk. “I got you something.”

Her lips part, and her wariness reemerges, ringing her irises. “You did?”

“Yep.” I pull a small baggie from my pocket and place it in her hand.

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