Page 9 of SnowBound

I lifted a hand to call the server before he had time to finish. “I’d like two hot chocolates, extra whipped cream, candy cane sparkles from your Holidays menu, and chocolate cookie straws.”

“Gimme a few minutes,” the waitress said before returning to the counter, a pep in her steps, joy pouring out from her.

The airport café was small. White tables, black chairs, and maple-colored floors. Single black-iron pendant lighting hung above each table. The counter was pale wood and sat in front of a black and white tiled wall. It looked chic and vintage all at once.

A song I knew by heart played on the speakers, and I lost myself in the melody until a grumpy voice interrupted the moment. “I never asked for hot chocolate. I thought you meant another coffee.”

I forced the best eye roll I could muster and shook my head. “You, my friend, need some Christmas spirit in your life. You could loosen up a bit. It would do you good.”

His eyes turned to dark slits as he watched me without uttering a word.

I flicked my wrist and decided playing with him could be a nice way to pass the time while being stuck in here with nothing to do and nowhere to go.

There was something about this boy that appealed to me. He looked like an old treasure chest. Sturdy and severe from the outside, with hints of mystery peeking from underneath. And he looked hot. If the smile I spotted earlier was an indication of what he hid inside, opening him up would turn out to be a nice surprise.

Somehow, I couldn’t resist sitting at the table next to his when I walked in earlier. Sadness had been anchored to his handsome features, and it called out to me to fix it.

“I’m perfectly fine with coffee. Black, if you were wondering.” He flashed a fake smile at me, but that didn’t deter me. Instead, it made him even more attractive in my eyes.

“Nah. Chocolate will cheer you from the inside. It will bring magic to your night. You don’t need coffee when you can have winter nectar instead.”

He snorted. “Winter nectar? Are you on drugs? It’s just plain, boring hot chocolate. Don’t sugarcoat a simple beverage with fancy words.”

My fist hit my chest with a soft thud. “Oh god, you’re hurting me with your nonsense. Try it the way I like, and then you’ll be allowed to judge my taste.”

The waitress placed both mugs on the table before me. “Good luck,” she whispered with a wink before retreating. I took in the snowflake-shaped sugar confetti, red and green sparkles, and the mountain of whipped cream atop. It looked delicious. And perfect for what I had in mind.

The guy pointed to the steamy delicacies in front of me. “This is your big plan to seduce me?”

“I-I wasn’t… I’m not trying to seduce you.”

“If you say so.” His eyes sparkled at the challenge, and for a second, I lost myself in the amber hue. When he leaned toward me and extended his arm to grab a mug, I snapped out of it and pushed his hand away.

“Not yet. Don’t you dare touch it before I say so.”

His eyes rounded, and he studied me with bunched eyebrows. “Aren’t you bossy?” He brought his forefinger and thumb closer and tilted his lips into a blinding smile, showing too many teeth. “You almost scared me.”

I chuckled despite myself. “Nah. I’m on a mission. Don’t disrupt it. Even your charming ways won’t work on me.”

He stared at me but added nothing.

“Close your eyes,” I said.

“No.” He crossed his arms over his chest, the fabric of his shirt tightening around his biceps and catching my attention for an instant.

“Don’t be a baby. I’ll prove to you that hot chocolate isn’t some boring beverage.”

“I’m not closing my eyes.”

“C’mon. You blink, and it’ll be over. I won’t steal your innocence during those ten point three seconds.” I lifted three fingers of my right hand, holding my pinky down with my thumb, and saluted him. “Scout’s Honor.”

“Wait, are you a Scout?”

“No.”

“Have you ever been?” he asked.

“No.”