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His hands spread on the table, as though he’d just made a winning move in a game I didn’t know we were playing.

“I don’t.” Too fast, too sharp.

My shoulders quirked up in a mockery of casualness as I straightened up, movements slow and deliberate, while my skin was itching with something I couldn’t name.

“Yeah, that’s exactly what not caring looks like.” His smile dimpled, and he shook his head in the knowing, exasperated way he employed when I was acting like an idiot.

I dragged a hand over my face, huffed something noncommittal, and trudged away, heat crawling up the sides of my neck.

Damn you, Liam.

The main foyer buzzed with murmurs, agitated squeals, and disappointed groans alike. The notice board had drawn in quite a crowd, but I had no issues wading through, to the exam results that had been pinned on just that morning.

My eyes scanned the list, starting somewhere in the middle—not that I’d ever admit I was searching for someone in particular.

I reached the top and my eyebrows hit my hairline.

There she was, her name right next to mine.

Damn. She wasn’t all talk after all.

A surge of electricity hummed under my skin, tasting like unspent adrenaline and recklessness, chased by something warmer, dimming to a low simmer in my chest. Admiration? Pride? I didn’t know.

The clock tower chimed five, but it was dark by the time I stepped into the café.

I spotted her right away, curled up in the armchair by the fireplace, with a leg tucked under her, and wearing a cheesy green Christmas sweater.

My pulse gave a small kick, then spiked as a bubbly sound I’d never heard this clearly floated up at me. She was giggling with Pri, her whole face alight: eyes glimmering, cheeks pink from laughter, and a little victorious grin that suited her way too much.

If I’d known winning looked this good on her, I would’ve lost ages ago.

The air punched out of me, but there was no taking it back.

I rolled my tongue over my teeth as I pondered what to do.

Then, the idea flashed through my mind, forcing itself in: I’d order them something—an olive branch of sorts, one I’d use the hell out of.

There was no snow yet, but the air hummed with festive cheer, thanks to the aroma of mulled wine and the Christmas carols spilling from the speakers all around.

Warm lights hung above the windows and along the wooden counter I drummed my fingers on as the waiter ambled to their table, carrying a glass of spiced whiskey for Mia and a mug of hot chocolate for Pri, complete with whipped cream and mini marshmallows.

Their eyebrows quirked up in perfect sync.

I choked on a little chuckle, let a few seconds crawl by, and made my way towards them, gait deceptively confident.

My fingers tugged at the tie strangling me, loosening the knot a touch, but my skin still itched under the collar. As I rounded their table, my legs stiffened with a sudden, wild impulse to turn on my heel.

But then, Mia’s head snapped up, her gaze locked with mine, and my feet rooted to the spot.

Her eyes narrowed on me, whizzing between my own and the drink, as if trying to figure out what the catch was.

“Congrats on your exam results.” I tucked a laugh at her blatant suspicion behind a put-on drawl. “Looks like all those library sessions came in handy,” I said, trying for teasing.

Pri’s gaze felt like little stabs in the side of my face, but I kept my focus on Mia, on the way her jaw shifted with restraint.

I gestured to the drinks, glad of something to do with my hands.

“A little peace offering.”