Page 84 of Frost and Fire

“Show off,” I mutter as he picks the biggest plushy toy in the booth, a cow that looks a little like Miss Maple.

“For you,” he says. “To keep you company when I’m busy with the real cows.”

“You’re ridiculous.” But I still clutch the plushy against my chest, hiding my smile against the soft fabric of the Miss Maple lookalike.

We make our way toward the stage where the mayor is getting ready to do his closing speech, which, to my embarrassment, also involves me going up on stage to accept the award. I don’t know how Bastian does it, being the center of attention when so many people look up to him.

We spot Stone and Nikko among the gathering audience. Stone’s perfectly styled hair falls down in waves over his designer coat.

“Look at you two ticking all the cliché boxes. Falling for your brother’s best friend and winning toys at a Christmas festival,” Stone says, looking around the crowd. “Anyone spot the Hallmark film crew yet?”

I roll my eyes, but it’s Bastian who delivers the best retort. “Speaking of Hallmark. Has the town vet, who happens to be your future neighbor, fallen for your charms yet?”

Stone pouts. A genuine, honest-to-god pout. “I’m starting to think he’s straight.”

Nikko’s attention, which seemed completely taken up by his phone, suddenly turns to us. “Where’s Fox?”

We all look at each other.

“Haven’t actually seen him for a couple of days,” Bastian says.

“That’s because you’ve been fucking like bunnies to make up for lost time,” Stone says. “I saw him this morning at Noëlle’s.”

Finn joins the group. “Why all the faces?”

“Have you seen Fox?” Nikko asks, and Finn’s face falls immediately.

“No…I…no,” he says with finality.

“Maybe check your phones in case he messaged,” I suggest.

Nikko’s the first one to react to whatever he sees on his phone, his expression filling with worry. “Looks like Fox has done another disappearing act.”