Page 78 of Pining for You

Still, as much as I hate that we were interrupted, I can’t help feeling a little smug—Eve was definitely as flustered as I was. Maybe even more. I just need one more moment like that…

Once we’ve secured a table at Wade’s, delivered the tamales, and signed in for the contest—which seems to be a much bigger deal than I ever could have imagined—Eve shouts that she’s going to grab drinks. “Wade makes this small batch butterbeer for the holidays. I think you’re going to love it,” she says.

My heart glows as she walks away. She’s taking notes on what I might like, or love. That’s what I do with my gift list for people I really care about! I rest my cheek on my fist and watch her. Then I realize what I must look like.

Good god, Bosley, get ahold of yourself!

I straighten up and pull my hat down just as Carlos and the rest of the gang arrive, shaking off the snow and shedding their coats. I’ve had the camera rolling and managed to capture the triumphant entrance just in time.

“Y’all ready for this?” Carlos shouts, as Eve makes her way back with our butterbeer.

“We are here to sleigh the competition,” Cash says. “Get it? Like Santa’s?”

“We get it,” Diya assures him.

Izaac rubs his hands together, maybe for warmth, but also possibly to channel some diabolical villain.

“Did you know there’s a bar in New York that’s more than two hundred fifty years old and at one time served George Washington? Still in operation, too,” Diya says, as if to prove her readiness.

“Wow,” Carlos says. “I didn’t!”

“She’s small but mighty,” Izaac says, and Diya shrugs, but she’s a little smug too.

Then Carlos looks at Audra.

“What? Me, ready? Do you not see this game face?” Audra says, pulling a mean sneer that looks completely out of place on her.

“How could I look away?” Carlos says, and Audra bats her eyelashes like a literal animated princess.

I shoot a look at Eve, who just returned with our drinks, and she snickers back softly.

“What is that?” Cash asks, pointing to the drink Eve hands me, which is in a giant glass stein and topped with a mountain of caramel-drizzle-covered whipped cream.

“That is Wade’s butterbeer,” Carlos says. “One of the best things on the planet. Pure sugar bomb. Actually? Probably exactly what we need to get y’all amped right now.”

Hugo looks up in a way that seems to say One for me, too, please.

So Carlos turns to the bar, cups a hand around his mouth, and hollers, “Wade! Round of BB’s! My tab.”

“Professional opinion, Strudel?” Eve asks, nodding to the one in my hand.

It’s not the first time she’s used the nickname tonight, but it is the first time in front of everyone—and I can’t be totally sure, but I am pret-ty sure that Eve is blushing.

I take a sip, in part because I feel a grin coming on that I need to hide immediately.

“Holy butterscotch heaven,” I say, and my eyes roll back in my head.

“Let me guess. Magic?” Eve asks, clearly teasing me.

“Tease all you want,” I say. “A little at a time, I’m going to make you a believer.”

“Yours is on the way,” Carlos says to Cash, who looks like he’s about to steal mine.

“I’m going to use the bathroom before we get started,” Diya says.

“Perfect, quick recess,” Carlos says. “Hugo and I will post up at the bar and wait for the drinks. Then you guys, go get that crown!”

This whole time, I thought everyone was joking about the crown thing, but now Carlos is pointing, and there, high above the host stand on the stage at the back of the bar is an actual crown—the kind meant to sit on someone’s head. Except that this one is made of candy canes and… something else…