Deep, rich espresso notes bloom across my tongue, warm spice following a second later.
“This coffee is insane.”
Troy settles into the chair across from me with his own mug in hand. “It’s coffee.”
“No,” I say seriously. “This is a work of art.”
His gaze flicks toward me over the rim of his mug. “You always talk this much?”
“Most of the time. Especially when I’m nervous.”
Something shifts quietly in the space between us. An awareness that wasn’t there before.
Outside, snow continues falling heavily against the windows.
And for the first time since moving here last year, I realize I might not be the only person in town hiding out.
FOUR
TROY
I shouldn’t like hearing her laugh this much.
That’s a problem.
Not the storm. Not the fact that she’s stranded here another night because the roads are still buried under fresh snow.
Not even the way she keeps looking around my cabin like she’s trying to solve me piece by piece.
It’s the laugh. Bright. Warm. Real.
And I can already tell that’s going to be an issue.
“You’re staring again.”
I blink and realize London is watching me over the top of her coffee mug.
Shit. “I’m not staring.”
“You absolutely are.”
She looks far too pleased about it.
I grunt and stand from the table before she can see the corner of my mouth threatening to betray me. Behind me, I hear her soft laugh again.
Yeah, that’s definitely a problem.
Snow lashes against the windows while firelight dances softly across her face. Without the bright morning light filling the cabin, everything suddenly feels smaller somehow.
Closer.
“You always believe everything people say about someone?” I ask before I can stop myself.
London hesitates. “No.”
I lean back against the kitchen counter, crossing my arms. “You did about me.”
Her cheeks flush. “That’s different.”