“You mean I have choices?”
“Absolutely.”
She licked her lips. “I do like mint.”
“We’ve got good old-fashioned kids’-style hot chocolate with or without marshmallows. We’ve got your peppermint. Gingerbread. Pumpkin white hot chocolate, and there’s a version with Kahlua available too. Then we’ve got the Mexican hot chocolate with the cayenne kick, and don’t you worry, we also have mulled-wine hot chocolate, and if you’re super daring, there’s a limited-edition moonshine hot chocolate with a one-cup limit and the required snickerdoodle cookie to go with it, because it’s a given that you can’t drink moonshine without the evening involving a little snickering.” He leaned over and whispered, “It might really have more to do with soaking up some of the alcohol in it, but whatever.”
“Moonshine hot chocolate with a side of snickering? Sounds dangerous.”
“Most definitely.” He shook his head. “I personally don’trecommend that one.”Especially on a first date,he thought, but withheld that comment. It wasn’t really a date, after all.
“Well, in that case…” She tapped her Christmas-red fingernail with the tiny silver bells on it against her glossy lips. “I think I’m going to stick with the kids’ hot chocolatewithmarshmallows.”
“What? Not even the peppermint?” He kicked his foot in the grass. “I had you all figured wrong.”
“Disappointed?”
“Hardly. I want you to have exactly what you want.”
“Thanks. What’re you having?” she asked, and the way she pushed her hair over her shoulder made him swallow twice before he could answer. Was she flirting? Or was it his imagination?
“I’ll be having the pumpkin white hot chocolate.”
Her jaw dropped. “I totally had you pegged for the spicy Mexican.”
“I’m glad I surprised you.” He turned to the couple tending the hot chocolate bar. “I’m going to have my usual, and my friend here is going to have regular hot chocolate with marshmallows.”
They started whirring, pouring, and decorating, and then handed two red cups his way. “Enjoy!”
He dropped a twenty-dollar bill in the glass pickle jar for tips.
“You are an excellent tipper. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He took a sip of his drink. “You’re really going to have to try this before the event is over. I’ve had every flavor, and this is by far the best.”
She took a slug of hers, marshmallow sticky on her lips. “Mmm. This is really good too. This isn’t one of those little packets you mix with water.”
“No it isnot.Here. You have to try mine.”
She shrank back, her face twisting in disgust. “I’m sorry, but pumpkin and hot chocolate, even with white chocolate, somehow just doesn’t go together.”
“I get it. I do. I was hesitant for a few years, but when I worked my way through the whole list, I had no choice but to finally try it for myself. I’m telling you, it’s surprisingly rich and delicious.”
“I’m pretty happy with this—”
“Come on.” He held out the cup.
She sighed. “Don’t let it be said that I won’t try new things.”
If only…
She took the cup and hesitated, before lifting it to her lips.
“Trust me,” he said.
“Famous last words.” She rolled her eyes and took a teensy sip.
“Well?”
