“So, are they back on right now?”
“Who knows with those two. Giles has probably led her into thinking that but now wants to free himself up for when the tourist crowd hits. I’m sure he would prefer to flirt with some blonde girl from California here on a ski trip than argue with Julia one more time.” She dished out the last mug of hot cocoa and clapped her hands. “Alright, let’s get everyone in here to make a plate.”
After calling outside, everyone bustled into the kitchen. It was a frenzy of plates and spoons and food being passed around. I made a few polite introductions but, so far, was feeling out of place in a town where everyone had grown up together.
I couldn’t help but notice Giles and Julia did not come inside with everyone else. I would pay to be able to eavesdrop on whatever it was they were discussing. For some reason, the idea of Giles as a boyfriend fascinated me. He seemed hardly capable of a warm human interaction.
Once everyone had finished their plates, we made our way outside to the roaring fire. I clutched my hot chocolate as if it could somehow raise the outside temperature by twenty-five degrees.
My teeth chattered.
I got the closest spot to the fire that I could find. Johnny and Erin were standing next to me. He was holding her in his arms. My heart ached a little seeing their happy marriage. To think I had once thought I would be engaged right now instead of starting all over.
I stood there for what felt like hours—but was probably minutes—until I couldn’t take it anymore. How was I supposed to engage in polite small talk with strangers when my brain was iced over? I smiled at Erin and excused myself, eager to hide inside for a little while.
The door slammed shut behind me, and I blew my hot breath onto my frozen fingertips.
“Too cold out there for you?” Giles was leaning against the kitchen counter. His jacket was off, revealing a black sweater that hugged his body a little too well.
“You people are out of your mind,” I said. “Everyone is going to catch hypothermia out there, and we’re going to make the national headlines.”
He chuckled and nudged a fresh mug of cocoa in my direction. “You’re so dramatic, Florida. Maybe it’s too cold for you but the rest of us can handle it.”
“Right, because enduring sub-zero temperatures is totally my idea of a great party.” I snatched the mug he offered and gulped the warm liquid before wincing. “This tastes more like peppermint than chocolate.”
He shrugged. “I might have added a little extra punch.”
“Need a drink, eh?” I casually leaned on the counter next to him.
“You could say that.”
We stood there in silence for a few beats as I took another sip from my cup that was basically half schnapps.
“So,” I finally said.
“So,” he repeated.
“I’m sorry again,” I blurted out. “About that comment I made about your parents. I still feel terrible for bringing it up.”
His brown eyes bore into mine. “I can’t believe you’re still apologizing about that.”
“I told you, I’m actually a really nice person if you just get to know me.”
“It isn’t that.” Shaking his head, he took a sip from his mug. “What you said about my parents…it wasn’t even bad. It was true. They would have loved to see the lodge have a gathering spot like that again. I remember Bev and my mom used to talk about it all the time.” He hesitated, and his jaw tightened. “I’ve been nothing but rude to you since we met. If anyone should be apologizing, it’s probably me.”
My heart pounded. I wasn’t expecting him to say that. “Not going to argue with you, there.”
He smirked down at me, and once again, I was struck by just how adorable his face was when he wasn’t scowling.
“I’ve got an idea,” I announced. “Let’s start fresh with each other.”
He nodded. “Works for me.”
“And what better way to start fresh than with a drinking game.”
Now he looked nervous.
“Truth or drink.”
