Page 34 of Shut Up and Jingle Me
“You love it.”
“No,” I mutter, but the corner of my mouth twitches, giving me away.
And maybe it’s a good thing he’s already shifting to grab his phone, chattering about caffeine and sugar like he didn’t just spend the night wrapped around me. Because if I keep looking at him like this—soft and warm and so damnhim—I might forget every reason why I should be adding distance between us instead of craving more.
Eli’s still scrolling his phone as if he’s mapping a battle plan for his latte when I finally sigh. “Fine. We’ll check. But we’re stopping by my room first. I need a clean hoodie and my jacket.”
His grin is instant, smug. “Knew you couldn’t resist.”
I roll my eyes, tugging the blanket higher around him. “Don’t flatter yourself, Princess. I’m not freezing my ass off because you’ve got a sugar craving.”
“Princess?” His laugh is bright, incredulous, and it shoots straight through me. “That’s a new one.”
“Fits,” I say, deadpan. “You’re high maintenance, demanding, and apparently believe the world revolves around whipped cream.”
He gasps as if I’ve just wounded him. “Excuse you, Calder, I amlowmaintenance. I only require minimal adoration, a steady supply of caffeine, and seasonal baked goods. That’s all.”
“Uh-huh.” I stand, stretching, trying to ignore how damn good it felt to wake up with him still plastered against me. “C’mon. Before you start composing an ode to French silk pie next.”
Eli slides off the bed, still grinning, and bumps my shoulder as we head for the door. “Don’t knock it. I could probably write killer poetry.”
And just like that, I know I’m screwed. Completely, absolutely screwed.
THIRTEEN
ELI
The dorm halls are dark,the only light coming from the dim glow of emergency exit signs and the light shining in from the doors and windows at the ends of the halls. I trail after Max, close enough that my shoulder keeps brushing his arm.
“Creepy,” I whisper, because the silence is too tempting to break.
“Creepy?” His voice is dry. “It’s just a power outage.”
“Mm, sure,” I murmur, leaning closer like I’m sharing a secret. “That’s exactly what people in horror movies say before something jumps out and eats them.”
I catch the faint curve of his mouth in the half-light, and my chest warms.
“I’ll protect you, Princess,” he says, voice low enough to make my skin prickle.
I bump him with my hip. Princess, I love it. It makes me feel warm inside. “Bold words from the guy who let me walk downwind in the snow last night.”
“Strategic,” he shoots back instantly. “Less snow in my face.”
“Uh-huh.” I grin, ignoring how my stomach does this stupid swoop just hearing him tease me. “Chivalry is dead.”
We’re still tossing quiet jabs when he stops at his door, keys scraping against the lock. The moment it swings open, I’m halfway through a joke—something about him secretly hoarding protein shakes—when the words stall in my throat.
The room is…empty. Not literally—bed, desk, dresser, all the basics are there. But it’s sterile, stripped of anything personal. No photos. No books. No clutter. Just gray sheets, a bare desk, and a closet door half-open on a row of plain hoodies.
It hits me like a sucker punch. After the riot of Christmas that is my dorm room, this place feels—cold. Lonely.
My footsteps falter. I swallow hard, my earlier grin slipping without permission. “Oh.”
Max glances at me, something tight flickering across his face before he looks away, reaching for a hoodie. “What?” His tone is defensive. “Not festive enough for you?”
I shake my head quickly, heat crawling up my neck. “No, I just—” I force a laugh, too loud in the silence. “Guess I was expecting…I don’t know. A poster. A plant. Something alive.”
He freezes for a beat, then shrugs as if it’s nothing. “Never saw the point.”
