Page 26 of All Snowed Gin

“That’s so cute!”

“Cute is one word for it,” Pierce scoffs. “He’s been Rubber Duck from the start. In high school he drove this beat to shit, bright yellow VW bug. One year as a joke, another friend and I painted it to look like a rubber duck. Lou thought it was hilarious and kept it. So, when he needed a call sign in college, it was like he had one built in. He gave Gram the name Cheshire Cat, for obvious reasons, and Gramps was Moneypenny.”

“Your grandfather’s call name was the secretary in James Bond?”

“Yup. Because he used to tell us as kids that the reason he asked Gram out was because she looked just like Miss Moneypenny in the Bond films—‘only prettier.’ So, Lou thought it was funny to call him that.”

“And you got Big Ben because you were in London?”

“Indeed. I guess it was better than being QE2.”

I giggle again, loving seeing his sense of humor shining through. He comes and joins me on the couch, taking the side with the wayward spring, and I can’t help but think about how different he is from when I first got here. Or, maybe he’s not different. I suppose the man who slammed the door in my face is still in there, somewhere. But that’s not who he really is. I’ve seen a completely different side of him come out. A side I really like.

And I don’t mean that simply because he rocked my world last night, delivering mind-blowing orgasms and world-class snuggles. Four of those orgasms to be precise.

No, this goes beyond that. We’ve bonded. Formed an unexpected, unusual friendship. The kind that can only come by being forced together due to weather and unnavigable roads. If you’d told me two days ago that I would actually like Pierce and enjoy spending time with him, I would have laughed. There was no way. But the more we talk, share, and laugh, the more and more I want to continue to do those things with him.

And more.

Because Pierce might just be the best kisser I have ever met. Those damn things set my soul on fire, and I’m not sure that anyone is going to be able to kiss me that well after I leave here. My heart squeezes at that thought. Leaving. I do want to leave. I want to get home to my family. Not being with them right now hurts in a way I can’t describe. On the flip side of that coin, though, I know it’s going to hurt to leave Pierce. Not on the same level as missing my family on Christmas, but it will hurt. I can only hope we can maintain a friendship after this.

“You look lost in thought,” Pierce says.

I shake my head and blink, snapping back to reality. I hadn’t realized I’d slipped away, but the expectant look on his face tells me that I clearly missed some things he’s said in the last few minutes.

“Sorry, drifted off a bit, I guess.”

“Can I ask where to?”

“Where else? Hickory Hills.” I giggle, hoping it will keep my tone light. All it does, though, is sound awkward and forced. The last thing I want is for Pierce to think that I’m not enjoying his company. Because I am. I just also wish I was with my family.

“It’s hard for you not to be with them, huh?” he asks, understanding in his voice.

I nod. “Yeah. This is the first Christmas I’ve spent away from them. That probably sounds really lame, but we’re a close group. Plus, it’s Tizzy’s first one with us, and I’ve been wondering if Cary was going to propose on Christmas morning as everyone opened gifts.”

“I have a phone, you know. You can call them. Find out if Dizzy is now a carat heavier.”

I bark out a laugh, both at his incorrect name for my soon-to-be sister-in-law and his way of referencing a ring. See, there’s that dry humor. I love it.

“Tizzy. With a T.” I make the timeout symbol with my hand to illustrate. “Although, she’d probably make you dizzy. I know she did Cary when they first met. She’s a free spirit if there ever was one, and can kinda be all over the place at times. But, she has such a big heart and is so wonderful. They even each other out really well.”

“You two must be like two peas in a pod then, with all that energy.”

“Oh, she makes me look like a slug at the pace she moves,” I joke.

Pierce’s eyebrows fly upward in surprise. Like he can’t believe that anyone would be more energetic than I am. He must not know very many people then, but I don’t think I rank all that high.

“You act like I’m a chihuahua on speed,” I continue, giving him a playful kick. “And I am nothing of the sort. I might be like a cute little Corgi puppy, but…” I trail off, getting lost in the tender look Pierce is giving me. It’s making my insides do funny things, and I’m not sure if I like it or not.

Okay, fine. I like it. A lot.

“Come with me.”

Pierce abruptly pushes up from the couch, taking my hand and yanking me off too. I stumble for a second, trying to catch my balance from the quick reshuffle, but manage to do so as we make it to the hallway. At first I’m confused, wondering what on earth he’s doing. That is, until he leads me into his office. Now I’m even more confused.

“What’s your brother’s number?”

“Why?”