Page 26 (1/2)

“Oh” I shrug “Well, the Elf Brigade helps”

Ryan pauses, then turns to stare atin with?”

Sohs

“The elves only help those who can’t help theuely at his chest “We would never rob a physically fit young person of the pleasure of doing it themselves”

Ryan grunts, but his lip twitches like he’s fighting a grin “You’re going on the naughty list for withholding that information”

“You think you have a better in with Santa than an elf?”

He glances at his brothers, who are folding up the ladder and dragging storage totes into the garage

“Do you wanna come inside?” he asks me

“Why?” I reply, arms folded

“Hot cocoa and a Christests, and be still

“Be careful,” Jake warns over his shoulder as he hefts the ladder “His favorite’s Die Hard”

“And he makes shit cocoa,” Carter adds

“You two can leave now,” Ryan calls out, barely giving thelance

Carter grabs his chest, acting wounded “Wow, so ungrateful”

I laugh Ryan doesn’t take his eyes off ofyou want The internet in Reindeer Falls is actually much better than I remembered”

The invitation is te Not just because I’m a sucker for a Christ all of this for me It makes me feel very… fuzzy

Fuzzy and warer on my lips

“So,” he says, voice dipping to dangerous, husky territory “Hot cocoa?”

I smile He knows the way to my heart, that’s for sure

“Is yours really terrible?” I ask because, honestly, nothing is worse than terrible hot cocoa Like, if he tries to add water to it or soht have to leave and never come back

That’s a lie I’d just ask for water

“Pfft” He rolls his eyes “Those two don’t know shit You think I’ve ever ame cocoa for either of those idiots? No”