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“Get a couple of shots of absinthe in this man, and the grumpy pants come off—”
“What precisely do youwant, Zima?”
Kristoff sighs heavily.
“I heard you were here, I was on my way to Paris anyway, and I wanted to stop by and congratulate the daughter of a very dear, old friend on her marriage.”
He smiles thinly at Noel.
“Pity she pulled the short straw when it comes to a groom.”
“I can assure you,shortis the wrong descriptor.”
I blush fiercely, feeling his hand at my back. Kristoff grins, shaking his head.
“Fine, cards on the table. I stopped by to make sure Ella was in this willingly, and it wasn’t as if you had her tied to a goddamn bedpost.”
“Not at this precise moment, I don’t.”
I bite my lip to stop the groan, my face turning hot with embarrassment.
“Youarewith this man of your own volition, yes?”
He’s still smiling, but I can tell there’s a lethal edge of seriousness behind Kristoff’s surface friendliness. And I know it’s born out of respect and friendship with my dad.
“I appreciate the concern,” I smile, swallowing the heat from my face. “But yes, I am. Short straw and all.”
Kristoff roars with laughter. Noel smiles thinly as he turns to me, lowering his face slightly towards my ear.
“Apparently you need a refresher onlength,” he growls.
My face surges with pink. I quickly swallow as I plaster an innocent smile on my face, pushing past Noel.
“Kristoff, would you stay for dinner?”
“He can’t.”
“I’d love to.”
The contrasting answers from each of them come at the same time. Kristoff smirks as Noel grumbles under his breath.
“I have a virtual strategy meeting tonight I need to dial in for. Perhaps another—”
“Since when?”
Noel’s eyes narrow at me, flashing a look that all but spells out exactly how sore my ass is going to be later.
Which of course, turns my legs to jelly and my core to molten fire.
“We’d love to have you, Kristoff. And I can’twaitto hear more about Parisian absinthe Noel.”
A growl rumbles in Noel’s chest. Kristoff smiles broadly at him, spreading his arms.
“Happy wife, happy life, Ransom.”
Adelightfulmealand a couple of bottles of wine later, I’m full, happy, and incredibly sleepy. We’re back on the garden patio, Noel and I on one small loveseat, Kristoff lounged in a chair across a little table from us.
Beside us all, a small fire crackles in the outdoor fireplace, sending flickering light playing across the patio.
