Page 58 of Cosy & Chill
“I know you didn’t. But there’s no point waiting until spring now, is there?” He hugged the bag of food, his mouth watering in anticipation. “Do you need a hand?”
“I’m fine. Go catch up with Leo.”
Finn hurried after his partner. The back of the van was open, and Leo was setting the two remaining coolers beside the row of open, empty ones. “Wow! You did almost sell out. And on a day as cold as today!”
“I know. It doesn’t make a lot of sense. Maybe today’s customers were stocking their freezers for Christmas. The variety packs sold out before lunch.”
“Next time call me. I can bring you more.”
Leo shook his head. “You’re busy with your own work.”
“And you take my parcels to the post office every day even though you’re busy with yours. We’re supposed to be a team, so call me. Okay?” Finn cringed when this came out a bit louder than he’d meant. He was crap at arguing, either too meek or too aggressive, never able to find the right tone. “I’m sorry. That was—”
“Don’t.” Leo hugged him, right there on the street, not even minding the bag of food Finn held. “You’re right. Next time I run out of stock I’ll call. I promise.”
“Okay. Then let’s get you home. You must be freezing.”
“Did you see Roisin?” Leo asked as he pulled away from the kerb and joined the flow of traffic.
“No. I heard her on the stairs at one point, and there was hot coffee when I came down for lunch, but she didn’t talk to me. I’m still thinking we should tell the Tienfields.”
“Tell them what? We hired an interior decorator who’s looking for treasure and seems to be a magician?”
Finn sighed. “You’re probably right. Still. It feels weird keeping this to ourselves when they own the place and all.” He hugged the bag of food, resisting the urge to pop the lid to inhale the steam. Neither one of them felt much of the Christmas spirit, but there was nothing more wonderful on a freezing cold day than a piping hot casserole topped with mash.
“You should jump in the bath as soon as we get home.” After standing in the cold all day, Leo needed warming up. His face was pale under the knitted blue and white hat and his lips had barely any colour to them.
“That’s the second thing I’ll do,” Leo promised.
“What’s first?”
“I have our store sign in the van.”
“Why didn’t you say that earlier?”
“Because I thought we should look at it in the store.”
“Good thought. But also… so not fair. What’s it like?”
“You’ll see in a few.” Leo pulled off the High Street and around the back of the row of houses, parking in their allocated space. “Go unlock the door. I’ll bring the sign. Don’t peek.”
Finn followed Leo’s orders. Excitement fizzed inside him as if their adventure was starting all over again. His gloved fingers were clumsy on lock and key, but then he held the gate wide for Leo to pass through and followed him down the alley into what was quickly becomingtheir home,glad to see no sign of Roisin.
This moment was theirs alone. The next milestone on their journey.
“Can I come in?” He set the bag on the stairs.
“You can now.”
Leo had his back to him, and Finn wrapped his arms around Leo’s waist and settled his chin on Leo’s shoulder as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “Can I look?”
“You reallyarelistening to me, aren’t you? Yes, you can look.”
Finn raised his gaze and his breath caught.
There it was. What he’d seen in small sketches had become real. Cosy & Chill: pale blue, dripping icicles, and a deep green and purple bobble hat. Smart and quirky, and so much theirs.
“Do you like it?”
