Page 36 of Hot Times in Heart Falls, Vignettes Vol 3

“Jinx doesn’t do that. Not with men outside her family. Not easily.”

“She’s healing. You can see it in the way she stands straighter now. Trust comes slowly, but…when it comes, it’s real.” Edison’s voice was quiet, no louder than the wind pushing against their backs. He stared into Kevin’s eyes. “You guys did that. Made a place for her to become strong. It’s been a privilege to watch her bloom, even from the sidelines.”

Kevin looked at him—at his tousled curls and soft sweatshirt, eyeliner smudged slightly at the corners after the long day. Gorgeous, but also so much more than the visible flamboyant outer shell. Edison’s warmth was like a candle burning through frosted glass. People noticed it. Trusted it.

“I can see why she picked you,” Kevin said.

Edison leaned closer until his shoulder bumped Kevin’s. “You’re a cutie, you know.”

A slow smile curved Kevin’s lips. “I know.”

They sat in silence for a while, just watching the fire.

Kevin didn’t mind silence. He often lived in it, professionally and personally, but with Edison it never felt empty. It was just a different kind of conversation.

Eventually, Edison stirred. “There’s a new exhibit opening at Gabrielle’s art gallery soon. The flyer said it’s called Winter’s Wonderland or something poetic like that.”

Kevin hummed. “Holiday-themed?”

“I guess? I’m picturing cozy snow scenes and glittery icicles. Knowing how Chance tries to make the shows community friendly, I bet there’ll be at least one painting of a grumpy Santa stuck in a chimney.” Edison squeezed his hand. “We should go.”

“I’d like that.”

More silence. Then⁠—

“Hypothetically,” Edison said, far too casually, “what’s the best Christmas gift you’ve ever gotten?”

Kevin didn’t answer right away. Instead, he let himself lean back more fully into the chair, Edison curled against his side, hand warm and steady in Kevin’s.

Childhood Christmases had been solid but not lavish. A new bike. A winter coat. A game that he’d really wanted. In his adult years he’d discovered he was drawn to a more minimalistic lifestyle and leaned toward spending money on events and adventures rather than things.

For a while, the consumer-driven focus of the holiday had annoyed him—it had taken deliberate work to let that judgment go and allow others to celebrate how they pleased and find his own joy in the season again.

He didn’t want to say any of that. If the little knickknacks and sweets and other things he’d offered Kevin over the past months were any hint⁠—

Edison’s love language was gifts.

“I think the best one I ever got was a copy of Into the Wild,” Kevin said finally. This wasn’t the time to explain why such a book about such a terrible, tragic idea was so important. “From my dad. I still have it on the shelf.”

Edison made a pleased little noise. “Books are good. Thoughtful. Personal.”

“Thinking of giving me a book?”

“I wasn’t thinking of giving you anything.” Edison offered the cheerful lie. “Although I would love it if you had another scarf to look sexy in.”

Kevin chuckled. “You think I’m sexy in scarves?”

Edison tilted his head and batted his lashes. “Kevin, I think you’re sexy wearing a disapproving scowl. Add a scarf? You’re lethal.”

It couldn’t be resisted. Kevin curled his hand around the back of Edison’s neck and drew him forward for a kiss.

Warm lips pressed to his, Edison eagerly took the offering, opening his mouth with a sigh.

Kevin kept it in control and deliberately light because tonight wasn’t the time to be getting hot and heavy. But this kiss? This moment? It was as necessary as breathing as Edison’s sweet taste rushed in and sent a thousand dreams flying.

Kevin didn’t want a book. Not this year. What he wanted was this—Edison’s laughter and light and the way he looked at Kevin as if there was a future waiting for them.

Kevin’s gut clenched. But as much as he wanted that future, it wasn’t what Edison had signed up for.