“That was then.” Her voice is soft. “You’re allowed to put that story behind you. What if they’re the best thing that ever happens to you, and you never find out because you’re too busy bracing for impact?”
I open my mouth to argue and… nothing comes out.
Because she’s not wrong.
I wrap both hands around my mug, soaking in the warmth. “I don’t know how to trust this though,” I say. “Them. Me. Any of it.”
"Then maybe start with trusting you can handle whatever happens? You're not eighteen anymore. You stare down billion-dollar negotiations for a living. If you can handle those stakes, you can definitely handle feelings too." She pauses, her voice gentler. "Besides, you know you’re allowed to want things outside of work, right?"
My phone buzzes against the table.
I glance down.FRANCHISE – REVISED TIMELINE, SEATTLE
“Ah, crap.” I scrub a hand over my face, the familiar weight of responsibility trying to muscle its way back in. “I still have to finalize the Seattle deal for your franchise, then meet stakeholders about it in like three days and—shit, Mia. I just realized I never even got the alphas to commit to the festival game. That was literally why you sent me up there, and instead I—”
“Hey,” she says gently, cutting through my spiral. “You were snowed in, with no reliable signal and a literal natural disaster going on. It’s okay that you weren’t in full closer mode.”
“But the anniversary game—”
"Can still be saved. Actually…" She sets her mug down and digs her phone out of her bag. “I wasn’t going to bring this up until you’d had more sugar, but… they texted earlier.” She scans the screen. “They said they’ve made a decision about the game and will only tell you directly.”
Heat rushes up my neck. “I don’t… I’m not ready to even look at them, let alone—”
“I get that.” She slips the phone away again. “It’s pretty bold of them, and you don’t have to do anything with that info right now. I won’t be disappointed if you decide not to meet them, as long as it’s because you truly don’t want to explore anything with them, not just because you’re scared.” Her tone is steady, soothing. “"Just, relax for now, okay? Think about it later.”
We both fall quiet for a moment, nursing our drinks.
Around us, Merry Sweet Chocolate hums on. An older woman wipes a tear, holding a paperback. A couple by the window clink their mugs like they’re celebrating something. Two college girls take a selfie with chocolate mustaches and nearly knock over their cups.
This town loves out loud.
And Mia… she's just putting my choice first, even though I know how much the winter festival matters to her.
I can't just let my fear destroy this town's Christmas tradition.
I set my mug down.
“You know what? I’ll do it. Set a meeting with them for tomorrow.”
Chapter twenty-two
Naomi
I get there a few minutes early.
I arrive at the café fifteen minutes early, my boots leaving wet prints on the mat as I step inside.
The café’s descenter hums overhead, a soft white noise under the murmur of voices and milk-steaming. It smells like espresso and absolutely no pheromones. At least we'll be able to have an actual conversation without biology hijacking our brains.
Meaning I won't be fighting the urge to drag them somewhere private.
The bell rings, it's them. Uh, didn't expect them to arrive early as well.
They step in together, snow still dusting their shoulders. My stomach does a triple axel with a messy landing.
Silas comes first, in a dark Henley and worn leather jacket. Liam’s behind him in a charcoal crewneck and coat, hair slightly mussed. Felix brings up the rear in a vintage band tee under an open flannel and denim jacket, hands shoved in his pockets.
Their eyes find me.
