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“Here you are.” Maria puts two steaming cups on the bar in front of us.
I take a cautious sip. It tastes like mulled wine, warmed through with spices. “It’s delicious.”
“Yeah,” Eli says softly, staring at my face.
I take his hand and entwine my fingers through his. “Are you okay? Why did you come here? Who was that woman?”
He blinks, looking down. “That was our ex. Johanna.”
“Oh.” I mull that over in my head. “Our ex?As in all three of you?”
“Yep.”
I suddenly feel a stab of jealousy towards the woman. She got all three of them. Cole wanted her as well. “Did you love her?”
He nods, fiddling with the handle of his drink. “We all did. A lot.”
“Sounds serious.”
“It was pretty serious. Lasted two years. Well—” he pulls a face. “My relationship with her lasted two years. The other two were with her longer.”
“Why’s that?”
He shrugs tightly. “She got bored of me.”
My mouth drops open. “How is that possible?”
He laughs.“Du ser ut som en fågelholk.”
“What?”
“You look like a birdhouse.” He nudges my mouth closed with his knuckle. “You’re cute.”
“How could anybody get bored ofyou?” I burst out. It seems impossible. He’s one of the most energetic, fun, charismatic people I’ve ever met.
He sighs heavily, taking another deep sip ofglögg. “I know it’s hard to believe, but yes, even with this much charm, wit, and good looks, people do still get bored of me. It truly makes no sense.”
He’s deflecting. I touch his arm. “Well, I think she’s mental to not want you.”
He snorts. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. I saw you coming down the slopes earlier. You’re crazy talented. And you’re handsome and smart and sweet and charming—”
“I’ve got a big dick,” he adds.
“—You’ve gotsuch a big dick,Eli,” I echo. “Really, you’re the whole package. Any woman—anyone at all—would be mad not to want you in their life.”
He ducks his head, but he can’t hide the smile spreading over his face. “Thanks, Tink. You’re sweet.” He slaps a hand on the bar. “C’mon. Finish your drink, then let's head back. I think me and Riven should tell you the full story.”
When we step back into the cabin, all of the lights are off. It looks cold and empty.
“Riv?” Eli calls.
“Hi,” a voice comes from the kitchen table. I turn to see Riv, bent over a pile of paperwork in the dark. His voice is dejected.
“Where’s Cole?” Eli asks.
He jerks his head at the window. I can hear a steadythwacksound coming rhythmically from outside. “Hacking an innocent tree to pieces.”
