Page 7 of Stuck With Mr. Frosty

I roll my eyes and get up, rummaging through my clothing until I find what I want to wear. A smokey eye and some loose curls later, we start heading to the mess hall for the party.

My breath comes out in white little puffs in front of me, the wind whistling through the trees and snow falling around me. Rosie loops her arm through mine as we trek down the snow-covered path to a long, low log building. Heavy bass pounds into the otherwise quiet night, and bright pink and blue lights swirl in the windows.

“Seems like the staff really know how to party.” I lean close to Rosie, nearly shouting in her ear to be heard above the music as the door swings open.

Her grin stretches wide as she nods. “Work hard, play hard.”

We step into the mess hall, and all the wooden tables have been pushed to the edges of the room. Groups of people are scattered at them, some playing board games and drinking from red Solo cups, others leaning close together and chatting.

In the middle of the room are people dancing along with the music that’s pumping out of the speakers, only leaving long enough to get a drink at the bar before going back to dance.

And in the corner is Aiden, though Honey is nowhere to be seen. Probably didn’t want to hurt her hearing with the loud music.

Just when I think he’s going to spend the rest of his night alone and miserable, people approach him, and he starts talking and laughing with them. The smile he gives one of the women is enough to have my heart melting.

Rosie tugs me over to the bar. “Tequila!”

I wince but accept the shot she shoves in my hand, throwing one back and then a second. Though I probably should’ve taken some time to load up on carbs, it looks like a couple of people are in the kitchen and cooking, the scent of burgers mingling with the mix of cologne and perfume.

“Come dance.” Rosie takes me by the hand, spinning me around as we get to the middle of the dance floor.

I laugh as we dance to the music. I can’t remember the last time I went out with any of my friends and just let my hair down. It’s been a long and hard few years.

But being here now, it starts to feel like I’m living my own life again. I don’t feel like I’m coming apart at the seams.

Aiden glances over at me, his gaze connecting with mine as I dance next to Rosie, rolling my hips to the music as she makes her own unique moves. I spin away from her and rake my hair back from my face with one hand.

His eyes are burning a hole through my back. I know they are. I can feel the heat, my heart beating faster. I take a deep breath in, my focus on his attention broken as Rosie pulls me in and dips me low when the song ends.

When I stand up straight, we dissolve into laughter. She smiles and motions to the kitchen. I nod, and she’s gone, wanderingthrough the crowd and disappearing through the doors at the back of the room.

I run my hand through my hair, the strands a little sweaty as they cling to my fingers. I wince and slide the hair tie off my wrist, tossing my hair into a messy bun at the nape of my neck.

Aiden is still looking at me, even as I make my way over to the bar. He glances away the moment I decide to stare back at him.

Maybe now is a better time to introduce myself.

CHAPTER 4

AIDEN

Mia strides through the crowd like a woman on a mission, those damn ripped jeans hugging her body tight, making every curve visible. The front of my pants gets tighter as I stare at her for a moment while she leans over the bar.

Ryder shuffles to my side and elbows me. “So, what do you think of the newest roommate? Pretty, isn’t she?”

“Sure.” I shrug and sip from my bottle of nonalcoholic beer, the condensation wet on my fingers. “Don’t know what that matters though. If you’re planning on sleeping with her, don’t.”

“Why?” June asks, her tone teasing as she smirks up at me. “You thinking of sleeping with her? She doesn’t seem like your type. Looks like she enjoys having fun too much.”

“I don’t know why all of you think that I don’t like having fun, but I do.” I tuck one hand in my pocket, trying to subtly ease some of the tension in the front of my jeans as I glance at Mia again.

This is going to be a long season.

June laughs and shakes her head, tossing back the amber shot in her hand. “Listen, Aiden, nobody thinks you like to have fun because you rarely do. How often have we been begging you to come out with us, and now you’re finally doing it?”

“I don’t like partying on work nights. I’m here to do a job, and so are the rest of you. And I’m taking over for Carter in a couple hours.”

Ryder claps a hand on my shoulder. “And there’s the party pooper we all know and love.”

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