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They all scoot along to make room for me and I slide into the booth with Don on one side of me and Dash taking the other. Don passes me a clean plate and I select some pastries to try after my coffee.
“Thanks. What’s the plan for today?” I ask, taking a sip.
“We’re monitoring the weather situation,” Don replies.
“Oh, why?” I ask, disappointment surging through me.
“Look outside, Floss.” North nods to the window and I follow his instruction.
Outside the garden is a blanket of white.
“Oh! It snowed! It’s a white Christmas!” The others laugh. “I love the snow.”When I don’t have to sleep out in it.
“Could have guessed from your reaction to the ice,” Dash whispers in my ear, making my cheeks heat.
“What does this mean for the club?” I ask North.
“If it gets much worse, we’ll have to close. Safety for staff and members will always be our number one priority.”
“Of course.”
“You seem disappointed, Floss.”
“I like…working at the club.”
“I bet,” Frost snorts.
“I wonder when you’ll be brave enough to come and watch me work,” North adds.
I choke a little on my coffee and Don hits my back none too gently.
“Umm so what do you guys do on Christmas day?” I ask, changing the subject.
“Usually, not much. We sleep late, eat early, and go to work to make sure our members have the most memorable Christmas possible.”
“Do you guys dress up and get into the festive spirit?” I tease.
“North’s been known to play Santa in the dungeon a time or two.” Why does that make my thighs clench?
“Oh.”
“How about you, Bambi? Any Christmas traditions you want to share?”
My gaze goes to Wint’s and I wonder if he’s told them yet. His expression gives nothing away. Should I tell them? Just get it over with?
I take a deep breath and release it before deciding to give them something. “I’m an orphan so I’ve had a lot of varied Christmases. My favourite was always with my best friend’s family when I was a teenager, but I remember baking cookies on Christmas Eve with my parents when I was younger. Since my twenties I’ve more or less spent Christmas alone.”
“You don’t have any family?” Dash asks, his eyebrows drawing together in sympathy.
I shake my head. “Growing up Elle’s family were my family.”
“Why did you stop spending Christmas with them then?” he asks, confused.
I sigh. I thought this would be easy. Give them a happy little memory and we can all move on. It’s starting to feel like a therapy session. My smile becomes tight, and I hope Dash will see it and change the topic, but he doesn’t. He just continues to gaze at me with sad, puppy dog eyes like his heart bleeds for me.
“Umm, well…” I force a laugh.Just spit it out.“I used to date Elle’s brother but it didn’t end well, and although the family still makes me feel welcome and sends me an invite every year, I never felt comfortable going again.” It all comes out in one rush of breath, my tone final.Conversation done, my shuttered expression says.
“What did he do?” It’s Frost who growls this in a low tone, surprising me as I spin to him.
