Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 49005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
I watch, charmed and momentarily distracted from my worries, as it gradually starts to come down faster and heavier. This isn’t just a few stray flakes from a confused storm cloud. It’s legitimately snowing—on Christmas Eve.
I try to remember when I last looked at the forecast, but I have no idea. Was this expected? It’s definitely been colder than usual this December, even if I have had four men making me hotter than I’ve ever been in my life.
Rather than melting on impact, the snow actually starts to collect in the grass, and I’m fascinated as white patches form, even though I know I’m using the freak weather as an excuse not to send the text messages I can’t seem to write.
Then a big, shiny black truck pulls into my driveway, followed a moment later by a white sedan. The Winters and the Frosts are both here. At the same time. Happiness glows inside me, but it’s followed by a wave of panic.
I should rush and change out of the shabby pink sweats I’m wearing, but I can’t look away as Felix and Jasper slam their truck doors, and Nick and Rudy walk at an unusually fast pace to try to beat them to my porch.
Have they decided to team up and press me for an answer together, or is this some bizarre coincidence?
I consider, for just a moment, ignoring the two sets of knocks on my front door, but I quickly tell myself I’m being ridiculous.
After taking a deep breath, I undo the lock and swing the door wide, as if I was expecting all of them. “Hello.”
They’re all mostly grinning at me—that’s a good sign, I think—while actively trying to ignore each other, which isn’t really possible while they’re jockeying for position in front of my door.
“Isn’t this snowfall amazing?” I say.
“That’s why we came over,” Nick says. “We wanted to share the experience with you.”
“Us too,” Felix says, as Jasper nods.
When they’re not smiling at me, they’re staring each other down, as if they all expect the other set of brothers to leave. I appreciate the fact that the Winters don’t say that they got here first.
“I know this is awkward, but it would be really nice if you could all stay. Maybe you could get along, just for today at least, and we could all enjoy the snow together? I could make hot chocolate.”
They all look at each other again. Even though their hard glares are softening, they’re still clearly expecting the other set of brothers to bow out.
“Please? I don’t want any of you to leave.”
“We’re not leaving,” Rudy says. After a pause, he adds, “I guess it’s okay if they stay, too.”
Jasper shrugs and nods, and I step to the side, inviting them all in.
After dusting the snow from their clothing and taking off their shoes and boots, they get settled in the living room, the two sets of brothers as far apart as my furniture allows. I excuse myself to make hot chocolate, telling them I don’t need any help, even though this means leaving them all alone together.
From the kitchen, I hear Nick and Felix both talking to Cupid, each of them trying to lure her to them. When the hot drinks are ready and I carry them out on a tray, I find my cat in the middle of the living room floor, unsure of which way to go. Tell me about it, Cupid. I guess I’m not the only one who can’t pick a favorite.
I have cookies on the tray too, and as soon as Nick notices them, he says, “Are these from the bakery, Holly, or have you baked again since the night we were over?”
“They’re from the bakery,” I say. “They’re much better than I could make.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Nick casts a glance at the Winter brothers. “The ones we made together tasted delicious, even if the shapes didn’t come out right.”
I pass out the mugs of hot chocolate, and things are quiet for a couple of minutes, though Felix and Jasper are saying a lot with their eyes, giving me long looks full of heat and hunger.
The snow continues to steadily fall, so I check my weather app. “It looks like it’s going to keep coming down for the next couple of hours,” I tell the men.
“We’ll keep you warm,” Jasper says.
Rudy stands up and clears his throat. “We should go outside and build a snowman.”
His brother quickly backs him up, getting to his feet, too. “That sounds like fun. What do you say, Holly?”
“Sure, let’s do it.” It might be good to get everyone outside, where there’s more space and the men can spread out. It does also actually sound like a lot of fun. I can’t remember the last time I had the opportunity to make a snowman.