Chapter Nine #2
Cheers exploded around us, echoing off the snowy streets. Before I could even process what happened, Drew whooped, grabbed me by the waist, and spun me around.
“Drew!” I yelped, laughing despite myself as the world blurred into white flakes and Christmas lights. “Put me down!”
“Not until you admit I make a mean chili,” he said, spinning me again.
“Fine! You win!” I gasped, clinging to his shoulders. “Now please, before we both eat snow!”
He finally set me down, still grinning, his hands lingering at my waist just long enough for my heart to misbehave. The world had gone dizzy in more ways than one.
“Congratulations,” I managed, stepping back. “Guess that flirting system works after all.”
He smirked. “Told you it’s good for business.”
Before I could retort, the snow started coming down harder with fat, heavy flakes falling fast enough to blur the lights of the booths. People began shuffling toward the bar and coffee shop, ducking under awnings for shelter.
“Looks like the storm’s settling in,” Lydia called from the stage, her hair already dusted white. “Let’s get everything packed up and head inside!”
I moved toward the chili station to help with cleanup, but what caught my attention stopped me cold.
Callum was hovering beside Lydia, helping her gather supplies, his hand brushing hers in that unconscious, easy way that made me both melt and gag. But then he did something different…something that made my heart stutter.
He reached out and rested a hand lightly against her belly.
And Lydia… didn’t move it away. She just smiled, soft, secret, and radiant, before covering his hand with hers.
I froze mid-step, the snow instantly forgotten.
Wait.
Wait, what?
She caressed her belly.
I blinked.
Lydia… was pregnant.
Pregnant.
My best friend. My non-stop, caffeine-powered, always-had-a-plan friend.
And she hadn’t said a single word.
But now that I was thinking about it, it all made sense. The hot chocolate instead of wine. The cider instead of the champagne.
The mysterious “I’ve been tired lately” and “no sushi for me back in Seattle.”
I turned slowly toward Drew, my mind spinning faster than the snowstorm.
He caught my look immediately. “What?”
“How long have you known?” I demanded.
He blinked. “Known what?”
I gestured wildly toward Lydia and Callum. “About Lydia!”
His brow furrowed. “What about her?”
I stared at him. “You seriously don’t know?”
He gave me that cautious, what-have-I-done-now look. “Mel, if you’re about to tell me she’s secretly a ninja or joined a knitting cult, you’re gonna have to be more specific.”
“Oh my god,” I muttered, staring back at my friend. “You really don’t know.”
He followed my gaze, eyes narrowing as he took in the same scene. Lydia laughing. Callum fussing with her coat. The way his hand hovered protectively near her middle.
It clicked.
And his expression shifted from confusion to slow, dawning realization. “Well, I’ll be damned.”
“She’s pregnant,” I whispered, the word tasting strange and wonderful all at once.
“Looks that way,” he said quietly. “Guess we’re getting a niece or nephew.”
A swirl of emotion hit me—shock, warmth, joy, and maybe a little bit of betrayal that my best friend hadn’t told me.
“We?” I shook my head. “There’s no we. You’re getting a niece or nephew. And I’m just the mom’s best friend.”
Before I could process it, the wind picked up, sending a flurry of snow across the tables. Lydia and Callum started hurriedly covering the chili pots, and Callum was insisting she go inside.
“No, I’ve got it,” Lydia was saying, brushing him off.
“Lyd,” Callum said, “you’re freezing.”
“So are you!” she shot back.
I didn’t even think. I marched straight over, planted my hands on my hips, and said, “He’s right. You need to get inside and stay warm.”
Lydia blinked at me, startled. “Mel—”
“No arguments,” I said, pointing toward the bar. “Inside. Now. Go make yourself some cocoa and boss people from the door.”
Callum gave me a suspicious look. “You agree with me?”
“Don’t make it weird,” I said. “Just take her before she starts sorting the chili pots.”
He raised a brow but grinned. “You sure you don’t want to help?”
“Positive,” I said, jerking my thumb toward Drew. “I’ve got backup.”
As they headed toward The Rusty Stag, Lydia gave me a puzzled little smile, mouthing thank you.
I waved her off, watching them disappear through the falling snow.
Beside me, Drew crossed his arms, his breath fogging in the cold. “So that’s how it is, huh?”
“Huh?”
He laughed, shaking his head. “You just wanted an excuse to stay out here alone with me.”
I shot him a look. “You’re delusional.”
“And yet,” he said, grabbing the other end of the tablecloth, “here you are.”
“You’re infuriating.”
He grinned. “You’re blushing.”
“I’m freezing.”
“Sure you are.”
We finished packing up in silence, though the air between us felt anything but quiet. Every time our hands brushed, the same stupid spark flared. The snow kept falling heavier, muting the world around us until it felt like we were the only two people left standing in it.
When we finally hauled the last bin of chili supplies under the awning, I caught myself laughing again…half from exhaustion, half from something else.
He looked over, eyes crinkling at the corners. “What?”
“Nothing,” I said, shoving my hands into my pockets. “Just…you.”
“Flattered.”
“Don’t be,” I said, though my grin gave me away. “You owe me dinner for that squirrel attack.”
He raised a brow. “Dinner?”
“Or hazard pay. Your choice.”
He smiled, slow and lazy. “You drive a hard bargain, Mel.”
“I always do.”
The snow swirled around us, soft and heavy, the world glowing gold from the streetlamps. And even though I pretended not to notice, part of me hoped the storm would last just a little longer.
Because standing there beside him, hands cold, heart warm, I wasn’t sure I wanted the night to end, and I couldn’t believe what I’d just asked him.