“Oh, Candy, you’re in for the night of your life,” she says, holding up her pink fizzy drink. I do the same.
As soon as I take a sip, the reality of my surprising badassery sinks in, and I start to panic.
Ladybird taps the top of my head.
“No panicking. I’m sure they’re outside formulating a plan to win you back. Bask in their groveling. Trust me.”
I take a deep breath. If they really want me, if they want to make up for these six months of torture, they should be willing to put in the work.
I’m not accepting anything less than complete devotion. Despite my confident words, I down the rest of my drink and look around the banquet hall, but find no sight of my guys.
What if it was all too much?
“You’re such a prick,” Krampus says as I put my jacket on.
“I was talking to her, and you ruined it.”
“Oh, no. Don’t put that shit on me, you were fumbling hard.”
“I was not,” I snap back.
“You almost made her cry. You couldn’t clearly say if you wanted to be with her or not.”
“Don’t act like you’re innocent in all of this. You didn’t reach out in the last six months, either.”
Krampus looks ashamed, his hideous dark green shoes pressing against the pink snow.
“You know, working for Santa is a demanding all-year gig.”
“And collecting souls isn’t? You’re just as fucked up as me, Krampus, she probably deserves better.”
Krampus’ brows furrow, and he shakes his head. “That’s a cop-out and you know it. Saying you aren’t good enough gives you a reason to run away. If we want to be good enough, we can be, we just have to put in the work. That’s exactly what she just asked of us.”
“Has all the Christmas spirit fucked with your head? There’s no world where we’re good enough and can give her everything she needs.”
Krampus shrugs. “That’s why there’s two of us. Maybe together we can be enough. I bring the fun, my large dick, and gentleness. You bring…well I’m not sure what you bring to the table, but we can workshop it with the elves.”
I give him a look of disgust. Of course I bring things to the table…I just can’t think of them under this kind of pressure.
“And what about your busy schedule with Santa?”
“I’m retired,” he says with a smile.
“Retired?” I reply, the concept foreign. Except it’s not, is it? Cupio has an interim Head Cupid while he takes time with his new lovers.
Could I do the same? The thought of letting someone else control my realm makes my throat itch.
“Listen, you can either work alongside me to prove to Candy that we’re good enough, or I’ll do it on my own and you’ll lose her,” he says.
I glance at him. We did kiss all those months ago, but Candy is the priority. I’m sure Krampus and I could roll around in bed, forget everything, and walk away unscathed. But Candy? She needs more, and I wonder if I’m even capable of it.
I’ve been miserable these last few months. What would it feel like to treat myself to some happiness?
“What did you have in mind?” I ask.
The grin that spreads Krampus’ too-pretty face is wicked as he throws an arm around my shoulder. I stiffen from his touch, but relax as his peppermint scent wafts around me.
“She all but spelled it out. She wants a grovel.”
