“Everest,” I say slowly. “What did you do?”
He freezes. “Too much?”
“Yes.”
“Oh.”
“But also,” I add, stepping into him, wrapping my arms around his waist, “please, never stop.”
He relaxes instantly, arms sliding around me like it’s instinct. Like it’s easy.
This is what scares me.
Not the sex. Not the intimacy. Not even the feelings.
It’s thenormal.
The way he kisses my forehead without thinking. The way he asks about my meeting with Lorna and actually listens to the answer. He’s undoing years of careful armor just by existing like this.
Everest keeps glancing at me like he’s got something on his mind he’s too scared to mention. His leg’s bouncing, and that’s how I know he’s nervous. Everest doesn’t fidget. He’s calm, grounded. The kind of guy who’d probably take a nap during an earthquake.
“Hey,” he says, shifting so he’s facing me more directly. “Can I talk to you about something?”
My stomach tightens. That’s never a good sentence. That’s the kind of sentence that makes people lose their lunch and run for the hills.
“Okay. You’re acting weird. What’s up?”
He rubs the back of his neck. “I know you already said no, but… I want to ask again.”
I blink at him. “Ask what again?”
He exhales slowly. “Christmas. With my mom. With me.”
Oh. That. The one I shut down quick last time.
My mouth opens, then closes again. I didn’t think he’d bring it back up. I didn’t think he’d want me there that badly. Hell, I didn’t think he’dwant methis badly.
“I just…” He shrugs. “I get it if it’s too soon. I really do. But I want you there, Cove. I want you with me. And not just for my mom or the stupid mistletoe or whatever. I want to wake up on Christmas morning and know I get to see your face that day.”
Oh God.
“Everest…” I whisper, chewing the inside of my cheek, torn between the old reflex to protect myself and the new, terrifying desire to actually beseen.
He gives me a tiny smile, more hope than pressure. “Will you come?”
I almost say no again. Out of fear. Out of habit. But then I remember my dad’s itinerary—the trip to Colorado with his new girlfriend and their ski passes and hot tub suite. He won’t even be home.
And the truth is…
I don’twantto be alone.
Not on Christmas.
So before I can give myself time to talk myself out of it, I nod.
“Okay,” I say, voice a little shaky. “I’ll go.”
His face softens and he crosses the room, pulls me into a hug so tight I think I might pass out.
