Page 36 of Did It Have To Be Gnomes?!

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“What? No way. This is yours. I’ll drink the regular one.”

I shook my head. “Nope. You drank out of it, so it’s yours.”

“Does that mean you’re afraid you might catch my cooties?”

I snorted. “I’d love to catch your cooties.”

We both froze as my words registered.

Holy shit. Holy. Shit.

I’d love to catch your cooties?

Who the hell said shit like that?

Me, apparently, me. Fuck.

I basically just confessed my undying love for the man. Uggggggghhhhhhhh.

I huffed. Okay, dramatic much?

Maybe it wasn’t my undying love, but it sure as hell was an admission to wanting his lips on mine.

Fuuuuuudggggeeeeeesicle.

“Miles?”

I squeezed my eyes shut. Maybe if I pretended it didn’t happen, he’d pretend too.

“Miles?” Winter reached across the console and gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingertips lightly caressing my cheek and ear, leaving chills in their wake. “It’s okay. And… and I wouldn’t mind catching your cooties either.”

I sucked in a breath and turned wide eyes on him.

He smiled gently at me.

“Oh my god, you two are thecutest,” Lyric practically squealed from the backseat. I’d totally forgotten they were here, a witness to my embarrassment. Lovely.

“Shut up, Lyric,” Winter hissed, smacking their leg again and making the little demon cackle.

Winter sighed and waved them off. “Ignore them. Let’s just pretend they’re not here at all, yeah? We should get going so we can get this over with. Maybe we can grab a bite to eat after?” To the backseat, he said, “You’re not invited.”

Lyric gasped dramatically. “Ughhh. You wound me.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle and shake my head in amusement.

Winter’s grin grew before he gestured to the steering wheel. “Let’s go. And thank you for the coffee and food.”

Right. Driving.

I could do that.

“Yeah, Miles,” Lyric said. “Thank you. I definitely need the caffeine.”

Winter snorted. “Biggest lie you’ve ever told.”

I snorted and started the drive.

As soon as I pulled around to the side parking lot, someone rushed out of the mansion’s door and straight for my car.

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