“Things are a blur. I remember drinking something super fruity with Briarlee, then stuff gets kind of fuzzy.” I frown as I work through the series of events.
“We didn’t,” he says softly. “God, this is gonna be hard if you can’t remember anything.” He drops his gaze.
That’s when I remember that he professed his undying love for me last night, and I tried to jump his bones.
“Oh god.” I cover my eyes with my hands. “Only some things are fuzzy, but not what you told me. I could never forget that. And shit, I’m so sorry, I wasn’t in my right mind. I didn’t mean to take advantage of you like that!” I remember now, the yetiloves me.And like a horny teenager, I tried to jump his bones.
His face flashes with relief, and he clasps a big blue hand over his heart.
“You didn’t take advantage of me,” he laughs with his full body. “Rest assured the body, was willing, but the mind knew you were drunk. I never want to be someone that takes advantage of you.”
God, he’s so earnest and handsome. My heart swells knowing he’s got my best interests in mind.
“Well, maybe I’ll have to give you permission to take advantage of drunk me in the future,” I say coyly before my head throbs again and I groan. “I mean, unless I feel like this, right?”
A deep blush spreads over his cheeks, but he plays it cool.
“I’ll take you up on that offer, but maybe we'll stay away from Briarlee and her damned fairy wine for a while? She’s the classic trickster fairy archetype. I would say you can only trust her as far as you can throw her, but she’s small, and I could throw her pretty damn far.”
“Bet you could,” I huff as I admire his fur-covered muscles. My fawning is only broken by the loud rumble in my stomach. Andri raises a brow.
“How does something greasy sound? Maybe some smothered and covered hash browns over at Ted’s?”
“Fucking perfect.”
One of my favorite parts about spending the night at a man’s house in winter is there’s no walk of shame. You can put a coat on over anything and it’s like you’re dressed and ready to go. It’s not until I’m tucked away, mostly hidden by the booth, that I take off the puffy jacket.
While we wait for Lerana to come grab our order, I check my reflection on the back of a silver spoon. I’ve looked worse, but all the same I dip my napkin in my ice water and swipe it under my eyes, picking up the flakes of mascara that settled there while I slept in Andri’s bed last night.
“I think that Advil is finally kicking in, thanks for that.” The pressure in my head is gratefully subsiding.
“Imagine how good you’ll feel once we get some food in you,” he says, pulling a slightly sticky breakfast menu out from behind the napkin holder.
“Like heaven, I’m sure.” My stomach roars from below the table. But who needs heaven when across from me is my angel from last night?
We both prop our elbows up on the table and lean in close, just smiling at each other. The glitter of affection between us makes me feel like I’m glowing. I want to reach out to him, take his hand, and give it a smooch. I’m not sure if we’re far enough into whatever this is for casual kisses. Everything feels urgent and important. I want every kiss to feel like it did last night.
I’ll forever curse the fairy wine for leaving us both with blue balls, but I’ll never regret how bold it made me. Just the taste of me being the dominant one for once in my life is exhilarating,and I make a silent promise to myself that I’ll keep trying to push myself out of my shell with him.
It’s easy to be who you want with someone as supportive as Andri.
“Well, look what the snow panther dragged in.” Lerana knowingly beams at us, pen at her notepad. “Did you two have a good night?”
“Lerana, it’s not what you think—” A blush spreads across his cheeks as he looks down at the table.
“Yeah, great night, the best actually.”
Lerana’s mouth drops open in delight. “I never thought I’d see the day that Andri of all people would find someone. I like you two together, for the record.” She smiles.
“A yeti never crossed my mind, but Andri seems like a real catch.”
“Wait, what’s happening here?” He seems ecstatic, but confused.
“I mean, play your cards right and we’ll see,” I tease.
“Human or not, I think it’ll work out, you’ve got a type,” She slaps her thigh. “What can I get you two?”
My stomach drops. Is she really comparing Andri to Gerald? They’re worlds apart.
