Page 7 of Holiday Do Us Part

Tory, Ashley, and I had a pact. If any of us suddenly bit the dust, the other two would clear all search history and inappropriate shit on our phones, laptops, and nightstand drawers. But now, with my phone lost in the woods and no one knowing I’m about to become a human popsicle, I’m screwed! Everyone will know about my perverted obsession with fictional superheroes or my weird fascination with unicorns because I swear theyarereal. “Great, well, I hope the world knows I’mnotallergic to the silicone that dildos are made of, and that was a one-time thing.” Thank you, Google, for clarifying that rash and teaching me that buying vibrators from sketchy websites are not worth the deal, even if it was buy one get three free.

I silently pray none of my exes get wind that I secretly still stalk them on social media to make sure they aren’t doing better without me. And all the porn! “Mom and Dad, I’m so sorry! I swear I’m not into furries. I was just really curious!” I sink deeper into the snow. “God, if you can hear me. Please tell my parents I love them. And to take care of Captain Jack, my pet fish.”Chug.“Tell that one girl Melanie in college that I’m sorry. I should’ve befriended her instead of my sucky friends because I bet she wouldn’t have done this to me.”Chug.My hand shakes so badly I barely make my mouth and spill wine down my jacket. It freezes, and I eat the iced merlot chip. I hit the bottom of the bottle and then toss it into the snow. “Great, not even the wine is going to warm me this time.” I slump further into the pile of snow and close my eyes. “So this really is it. . .”

There’s the rumbling of an engine in the distance. I sigh, physically feeling like my lungs are starting to freeze over. Then, I feel pressure against my torso. I assume it’s my maker bringing me home. He smells like spice and mistakes.

“Up we go.” His voice is husky and familiar.

“Am I dead?” I ask, basking in the warmth of his hands, his breath.

“Not yet.”

I sigh and relax, letting him carry me as my eyes close and sleep takes me.

Chapter three

Callie

“It’syourround.Anddon’t try and trick me with the cheap vodka.”

“Dude, that was one time. I had like seven bucks to my name.” I blow Tory a kiss because I totally plan on ordering her drink with the cheaper vodka. I squeeze through the crowd and work my way up to the bar. “Hey, Sherry. Can I get a blueberry lemon drop martini, vodka soda—with house vodka— and a gin and tonic?”

“You can put that on my tab.”

I twist to my left to reply, but my words get caught in my throat. Holy blue eyes. The owner of said eyes slowly looks me over, and a carefree smile quirks his full lips as he leans against the bar. My cheeks flush, and I clear my throat. “Well, in that case. Sherry, make that vodka top shelf.” She nods and walks off.

“Let me guess. The blueberry martini is yours?” His voice is smooth like melted butter.

“Why do you think that?”

“Seems to fit you.”

“And what do you know about me to know it fits?”

His eyes drop to my lips. It’s only for a second, but he returns them to mine and shrugs. “You look like you enjoy sweeter things.” He leans in. “But if I had to guess, you have a little spicy side to you, too.”

My lips part. His gaze drops again, and he watches as I slowly suck in my bottom lip. “Tell me your name.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to know your name before I’m inside you later.” I couldn’t spit out my name if I wanted to. My brain malfunctions at his comment, and I can’t do anything but stare at him. “Name, babe.”

“Ca—Callie.”

He leans forward, and my entire body shivers at his warm breath against my earlobe. “Even your name’s sweet. Nice to meet you, Callie.”

He purrs my name, instantly soaking my panties. Pulling back, he grabs the beer off the bar and takes a sip.

“Are—are you going to tell me your name?” There’s even a shiver in my tone.

“Give me your phone.”

“Huh?”

“Phone, Callie.”

On autopilot, I hand the stranger my phone. He types something in and hands it back. I look down. “Easton.”

“Gonna love hearing you moan that.”

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