Page 115

Story: Frozen Over

My stomach goes off again, and Zach sits up. “I can grab you something. You can’t go hungry.”

“I’m fine, honestly.”

But he ignores me and stands from the bed, his naked rippling body on full display, making me grow even hungrier. Picking up some gray sweatpants, he throws them on and then leans over to kiss me. “You can have anything you want; we have everything in since it’s Christmas.”

“Can I have Zach Evans on toast, please?”

“That’s always on the menu, but what can I get you—French toast, waffles, pancakes.” He laughs against my mouth. “A frittata…”

“No because that means I have to come help, and I don’t want to get out of this bed because I’m a lazy bitch.”

“Well, you don’t have to. You can stay right here with Freddy Krueger.”

“Lovely. But seriously, I need to come and help.”

He shakes his head. “Nah. I can get you whatever you want, and tomorrow, I’m in charge of cooking too.”

He leans up, a proud smile on his face. I place a gentle palm on his chest. “Baby, I appreciate that and all, but don’t you remember last time in the kitchen?”

He shrugs. “Yeah. So, I learned.”

I cock my head at him in question. “What?”

“I might’ve been taking some lessons.”

“From whom?”

“Jon. It was hazardous, for sure. At one point, I think he wanted to knock me out with the frying pan, but yeah, we got there.”

“How long have you been learning?”

“Since I got back to Seattle.” He stands from the bed again. “Just in case I ever convinced you to be with me, there was no way I wasn’t taking care of you.” He pulls the door open, and light from the hallway fills the room. “So, what’ll it be?”

My racing heart must distract my mind from making a choice. “Surprise me.”

He throws me the sexiest wink I’ve ever seen. “And here you were thinking we’re always juvenile.”

“French toast and fruits, ma’am.”Zach sets a tray complete with the best-looking French toast and berry mix I’ve ever seen on my lap as I sit up in bed. “It’s past midnight, so I figured you wouldn’t want regular coffee; I made decaf.”

“This is just what I need,” I croon, the first piece of toast already to my lips. I pause and look over at him, a proud grin spread across his face. “I mean, I know it’s only French toast, but damn, what is this sorcery?”

He laughs deeply and reaches into the pocket of his sweatpants, retrieving a small, flat, wrapped box. The wrapping is bright pink with a gold bow attached to the top, which is almost as big as the gift itself. “Technically, it’s Christmas Day, and I thought, why not do presents now?”

Taking it from him, I put the tray to one side as he comes to sit next to me on the bed. “If you don’t like it, then I can return it.”

“I’m going to like it, Zach. Because it’s from you.”

Peeling back the paper, I pluck the bow off, but when the box comes into view, I’m still none the wiser. It's black with a gold star in the top right-hand corner.

I pop the lid and move the black tissue paper to reveal a stunning bangle bracelet. “It’s platinum and um?—”

“Zach, is this?”

“The moon.”

Hanging delicately from the bracelet is a small but incredibly well-detailed charm of the moon. Flipping it over, it simply reads, “Luna.”

My breath catches in my throat as he reaches into the box and unclasps it. Holding out my wrist he fastens it and blows out a relieved breath. “You don’t know how many times I changed the measurements with the jeweler. I don’t think they ever want to see my ass again.”