Page 36 of Stuck With Mr. Frosty

At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.

Carter scoffs. “You need to pull your head out of your ass and see that there’s a good woman standing in front of you. Sure, she might not be who you imagined you would want something long-term with, but from what I’ve seen, she’s the kind of woman who doesn’t give up on you either.”

“She probably should’ve.” I don’t think I’m worth half the effort she’s put into getting to know me, but she seems to think I am. I still haven’t been able to figure out the reason why.

“Don’t sell yourself short. You’re a good man, and you always have been. You might like to wander the world, but there’s nothing wrong with that if that’s what you enjoy.”

“I’d rather just not talk about all of this and let things happen how they’re going to happen. With you so focused on what’s going on, it feels like I have to figure out exactly what’s going to happen and when, which is impossible.”

“Didn’t mean to make you feel like you had to figure it all out right now.”

I take another sip of my coffee, my breath coming out in a small white cloud when I exhale. “No, I know. It’s just that sooner or later, I know Mia is going to start asking the same questions, and then what am I supposed to do?”

“I’m going to suggest that you figure it out together. She’s probably feeling the same way you do.”

“Maybe.” I bite the inside of my cheek before letting out another sigh. “I just don’t know what to think about it all.”

“You’ll figure it out in time.”

“You’re right.” I dig the toes of my boots into the snow. “Now’s not going to be the time though.”

“What we do have to figure out now is the schedule for next week. I need the week after off since Cassie is bringing the girls up here. So if you take next week off, then you and I can offset each other and we’ll weave the other guys in between.”

“Should work for me.”

I might even be able to arrange something special for Mia.

When I get home late that night, pink and blue lights are flashing in the window. Music pounds, and Honey rushes up the stairs like the best part of her day is coming home. I’ve never seen my dog more excited to go back to the cabin, but then again, she’s attached at the hip to Mia.

I push open the door and come face-to-face with Rosie on the coffee table with a hairbrush held tight in her hand, her hips swaying in the most awkward movement I’ve ever seen.

Mia slides down the hall, playing the air guitar and dropping to her knees in front of me. She flips her hair as she continues playing, her tongue sticking out like she thinks she’s a rock star.

I smirk and kick off my boots onto the mat. “Quite the performance you’re putting out.”

“Thank you, Colorado!” Rosie shouts, pointing her finger at the imaginary crowd as the song changes.

Mia laughs and gets to her feet, pushing up onto her toes and kissing the corner of my mouth. “Are you here to have fun with us, or are you here to judge the way our band works?”

“Oh, I would never judge your band at all.” I shed my jacket and snow pants, hanging them both up, gloves nearly falling out of the pocket of my jacket.

Mia snags my hat and tosses it onto the shelf before taking me by the hand and pulling me deeper into the cabin. She lifts my hand high and spins beneath it. Rosie jumps down from the table, tossing her hairbrush to the side.

Rosie grabs Mia and spins her around, dipping her low before pulling her back in. The pair of them tango around the room before Mia spins her way back to me.

Smiling, I take her by the hand, spinning her out before pulling her back in. We move with the beat of the music, her body pressed close to mine. I press my lips to her temple, laughing when she tilts her head back onto my shoulder.

“You might not be half bad at dancing.” She looks at me with nothing but warmth in her eyes, sending my heart hammering in my chest.

And because I can’t bear the sight of that look anymore, I spin her out, letting go of her and whipping out the sprinkler, my hips rocking in an awkward rhythm to the beat. She bursts out laughing, shaking her head and joining in on the fun.

My cheeks start to hurt from smiling so wide, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Even if I look like a fool while dancing with her.

After a few more songs, she slumps onto the couch and Rosie turns the music off, heading to her own room.

Mia looks up at me. “What should we do now?”

“Gotta take Honey for her walk, but I’ve got nothing going on after that.” I haul on my boots. “You’re welcome to come with me if you want.”

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